2018 Harvest for the Tehachapi Wine & Cattle Company

One of the 18 experienced contract pickers Deanna Flores, was hired to help work with the many family and friends who came at dawn to pick this year's crop. Owner and grower Mike Van Atta said he, "hoped to pick 10 tons or better by the end of the day."

Grower Mike Van Atta, on right, picks out leaves and stems before transporting one of the several bins filled that day to the waiting chilled truck. When filled, the truck will transport the fresh grapes to the wine maker for processing.

Full trays of just picked Primitivo Zinfandel grapes are brought back as the empties are traded off for just filled ones coming from the rows.

First morning light finds the picking crew with full trays and already half way down some of the fruit laden rows.

First morning light finds the picking crew with full trays and already half way down some of the fruit laden rows.

As pickers fill the many trays, they are picked up and gently dumped into a larger bin. Leaves and stems are sorted out and the large bins are transported to a waiting chilled truck. Each bin can hold nearly 1000 pounds of fresh picked grapes.

The hands of the experienced contract picker are fast and gentle as they move among the vines harvesting the grapes.

These are some of the fine-looking Tehachapi Wine and Cattle Company Primitivo Zinfandel grapes that are being harvested today. "Our brick (sweetness) level is near 25 today, just right for our needs", stated grower Michael Van Att.

Mission statement of the Tehachapi Wine and Cattle Company.