GRAPE HARVEST Day 1 - Southern Styria | Sauvignon

I was thinking I had a few days to relax a bit…

"…please come today because the weather is fine and the grapes will not
stand a day more of rain… we have no choice but to harvest today!"

Here is a reportage on harvesting Sauvignon blanc and Pinot gris.
It is at the same wine producer I worked for this summer:

1. View of the slovenian wine gardens from the austrian border.

http://www.kodiakmedia.at/cambridge/.../0407%20SD.jpg


2. At the entrance on the austrian side of the border.

http://www.kodiakmedia.at/cambridge/.../0411%20SD.jpg


3. This is the Sauvignon blanc and Pinot gris garden.

http://www.kodiakmedia.at/cambridge/.../0412%20SD.jpg


4. A larger view of the hillsides.

http://www.kodiakmedia.at/cambridge/.../0414%20SD.jpg


5. May I introduce you: "Sauvignon Blanc" in all its splendour!

http://www.kodiakmedia.at/cambridge/.../0421%20SD.jpg


6. …and "Pinot Gris" (one of my favourites!)

http://www.kodiakmedia.at/cambridge/.../0490%20SD.jpg


7. The access to the slovenian gardens is through austrian territory.
Sometimes, the border is in the middle of the road. The austrian side has a red-white-red pole.

http://www.kodiakmedia.at/cambridge/.../0427%20SD.jpg


8. The Harvesters Start at to top. They pick up the grapes in the red containers
and empty they in a larger one waiting at the bottom of the slope.

http://www.kodiakmedia.at/cambridge/.../0519%20SD.jpg


9. Can you smell this? This is a feature lacking to my photography:
proper olfactive experience!

http://www.kodiakmedia.at/cambridge/.../0546%20SD.jpg


10. The larger container are loaded on a trailer that will take them to the winery cellar.

http://www.kodiakmedia.at/cambridge/.../0553%20SD.jpg


11. It's hard work… one might as well do it with a smile!

http://www.kodiakmedia.at/cambridge/.../0571%20SD.jpg


12. This is Wolfgang, the wine garden manager.
The smile is justified by the great weather and the good work of the harvesters.

http://www.kodiakmedia.at/cambridge/.../0575%20SD.jpg


13. This slovenian harvester is the assistant and the most experienced harvester.

http://www.kodiakmedia.at/cambridge/.../0577%20SD.jpg


14. Maybe, tomorrow I hope I will have a chance to take his great blue eyes if only he was not so shy and his wife so jalous!!!

http://www.kodiakmedia.at/cambridge/.../0591%20SD.jpg

Today, September 9, 06:00, I getting ready for a longer day in Obegg, for
and other harvest day and to photograph the following work at the winery.

C&C welcome.
Most shots are SOOC, 3 needed some minor tonal range adjustments.

Great series Kodiak, love the self portrait #2 :p:D

David

That self portrait is the shadow of #10 in the far distance, I think...same guy. :p

Love the journey, Kodiak...complete with commentary. Looking forward to seeing more of your shots.

Very nicely done. The images are not just a documentary - they are works of art. I hope, when all is said and done, you would consider making - and having printed - a book about the grape harvest, and subsequent wine making process.

'Rie

Thanks David, the only thing reassuring about the self portrait is that it's hand made!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IzzieK

That self portrait is the shadow of #10 in the far distance, I think...same guy. :p
Love the journey, Kodiak...complete with commentary. Looking forward to seeing more of your shots.

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You're right Isabelle, it is the same guy.
The title says "day 1", today will be day 2… let's see. Thanks for the comment.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marie Hass

Very nicely done. The images are not just a documentary - they are works of art. I hope, when all is said and done, you would consider making - and having printed - a book about the grape harvest, and subsequent wine making process. 'Rie

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I should finish selling the actual book I made of this region…
and you might have just the right idea for the next book! Thanks Marie.

Loved the series Kodiak. Grew up in Austria (Klagenfurt) until I was about 12 yrs old and so much of what you show appears familiar. It's a great part of the world.

Wonderful documentary. I would like to see the whole process till the opening of a bottle.

George

Quote:

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Originally Posted by John 2

Loved the series Kodiak. Grew up in Austria (Klagenfurt) until I was about 12 yrs old and so much of what you show appears familiar.

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Thanks John,

Quote:

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It's a great part of the world.

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Yes, it is. Mind you, after all the travelling I did, I come to the conclusion
that the world is beautiful everywhere.

I read a german citation the other day, translated, it will sound like this:
—"The world is like a book, but whom did not travel will have only have
turned the first pages!!—

Quote:

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Originally Posted by george013

Wonderful documentary. I would like to see the whole process till the opening of a bottle. George

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Coming up George… that's exactly the commission the wine grower gave me.

What a beautiful series. My absolute favorite is #13. Looking forward to seeing more.

These are a lesson to us all, with sharpness and composition. You must have a link to heaven to get the light like this. I don't know how you get the detail of the face right in 13, when it is in the shade, without blowing the sunny bits. Number 4 is a lovely view and the grapes in 5 and 9 in particular look really succulent. I can't smell them but my mouth is watering just looking at them. They have a beautiful translucent look.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KimC

What a beautiful series. My absolute favorite is #13. Looking forward to seeing more.

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Hi KimC,
just got back to the studio… I make myself a coffee and I get to work.
I promise you more today!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TonyW

These are a lesson to us all, with sharpness and composition. You must have a link to heaven to get the light like this.

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A link to heaven? So many told me I must have sold my soul to the devil
for exactly the same reason! ;-)

Quote:

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I don't know how you get the detail of the face right in 13, when it is in the shade, without blowing the sunny bits. Number 4 is a lovely view and the grapes in 5 and 9 in particular look really succulent.

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Ok, you're too kind, i'll give you a secret tip… come closer… more…
the succulent aspect is conveyed through a blend of low keys and specular
lights. Keep that to yourself… ;-)

Quote:

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I can't smell them but my mouth is watering just looking at them. They have a beautiful translucent look.

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I knew it! I should have worked earlier and harder on the olfactive rendition
of my shots! ;-)

Thanks for the comments Tony.

All of them are terrific but I especially like the stories being told in the last two photos. Looking forward to more!

And I especially adore #13 & #14. All lovely but these are extra special.

Beyond beautiful! I think # 13 is a stunning shot as it is so clear ( as all of them) and
the facial expression and lighting so very perfect.
Irene

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mike Buckley

All of them are terrific but I especially like the stories being told in the last two photos. Looking forward to more!

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Thanks Mike, Day 2 is online already!
.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Christina S

And I especially adore #13 & #14. All lovely but these are extra special.

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Much appreciated Christina.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Christina S

And I especially adore #13 & #14. All lovely but these are extra special.

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…maybe because he looks like the grandpa everyone would like to have?
Thanks for the comment.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ied

Beyond beautiful! I think # 13 is a stunning shot as it is so clear ( as all of them) and
the facial expression and lighting so very perfect. Irene

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Irène, thank you!