Every autumn, grape harvest season brings people together across southern Europe. These traditions mix hard work with food, music, and celebration – much like Fiesta Week does here in Oshawa!
Greece: Grapes, Vendema & Spirits
- On Santorini, home to the oldest vineyards in the world (dating back 3,500 years!), the annual grape harvest is called Vendema. Preparations begin in early August and continue into the fall.
- Families and villages still gather to harvest grapes, share fresh juice, and celebrate with food and music.
- In northern Greece, grape pomace (the skins and seeds left after pressing) is distilled into a bold spirit known as tsipouro.
- It can be enjoyed plain, carrying the pure essence of the grape, or infused with botanicals, often anise, giving it a slightly stronger edge than ouzo.
Italy: Vendemmia (The Harvest)
- Italy’s vendemmia (grape harvest) is celebrated differently in each region, blending tradition, food, and music.
- Prosecco regions in Veneto harvest grapes early to preserve their crisp, fruity flavor, producing the sparkling wine Italians (and the world) love.
- Sicily hosts vibrant grape festivals where visitors can stomp grapes barefoot, enjoy local music, and taste freshly pressed wine. Many towns pair the harvest with street fairs, local foods, and dancing, keeping centuries-old traditions alive.
Portugal – Vindima, Port, and Green Wine
- Grapes are still pressed by foot in some wineries — a lively, music-filled tradition.
- Families, workers, and even visitors join in.
- Portugal is famous for Port wine, a sweet fortified wine traditionally produced from grapes harvested in autumn.
- Portugal is also known for Vinho Verde (“green wine”), a young, slightly sparkling white wine made from grapes harvested in late summer and early fall — crisp, refreshing, and perfect for warm-weather meals.
Whether in Greece, Italy, or Portugal, the grape harvest isn’t just about wine — it’s about
community, tradition, and celebrating the season’s abundance.
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