One of the most important decisions for a winemaker is when to harvest. Grapes should be harvested at full maturity; the better the grapes, the better the wine.
But how do you know the exact time?
Well, you can start by using your senses – see, touch, smell, and taste grapes.
Next, collect representative grape samples from the vineyard and measure sugar content, pH, and acidity levels. You will probably have to repeat measurements several times before most grapes are ready for harvest.
See the detailed explanation of when to harvest your grapes in the video below by Tom van der Linden from the University of Minnesota Extension.
Read also: Top tips on how to better organize grape harvest