Simultaneous ripening of grapes a harvest hurdle for N.S. vineyards [Video]

The early harvest is promising at Domaine de Grand Pré Winery in Nova Scotia.

“The growing season has been very good,” says winemaker Jurg Studz.

That’s usually a positive thing, but this year warm temperatures are causing many varieties of grape to ripen at the same time, requiring vineyards in the valley to harvest as much as they can as quickly as they can.

“The problem really is that if you don’t harvest in time, the grape, the quality of the grape, really starts to deteriorate and the acidity might drop too quickly, too soon,” Studz says.

Wanted signs for pickers are up at numerous vineyards as groups try to find enough help ahead of the harvest deadline.

Many Nova Scotia vineyards are looking for grape pickers. (Source: Jonathan MacInnis/CTV News Atlantic)

“Usually we work with 15, 16 people, pickers; however they might come for a few days and then …