Urban Grape Harvest


Our little grape harvest

At the weekend we took part in our local urban grape harvest. This is a fantastic community co-operative organised in our neighbourhood (a sub area of the town of Tooting called Furzedown). The project is called the Urban Wine Company and here is a little about it from the website:

The Urban Wine Company has grown from a simple idea that sprung up two seasons ago in a community called Furzedown in Tooting, South London. Grapes that were growing in Richard and his neighbours’ gardens were unfortunately going to waste. The only beneficiaries of the grape glut were the local birds!

Sitting under the vine, glasses in hand, Richard and Tim decided to team up and do something about it. After rounding up a group of local friends the first collection of garden grapes were pressed into London’s first urban wine. There was nervous excitement as the first bottle of “Chateau Tooting – Furzedown Blush” was uncorked.

We duly did our first little grape harvest on Saturday, Isabella helping to place the cut grapes in the bucket and Toby participating to the extent of wanting to go up and down on the tail gate of the lorry where all the grapes where loaded on Tooting Common!

It was quite reminiscent for me as my family used to own a large vineyard in Southern Italy so I have lots of memories of harvesting grapes and the amazing smell when they were all collected together (I jumped onto the van with all the cut grapes, sniffing and ahhhhing a few times as the memories flooded back!)

I am looking forward not only to our wine (which I am told will be ready to taste in March -in time for a celebratory drink for Neil’s birthday and our 16th wedding anniversary!) but am also excited about the community aspects of this brilliant project. Neil and I are also hoping that promised local Community Supported Agriculture scheme will start up soon as we love the community elements of these initiatives.

When we got back from dropping off our little grape harvest, we found two bunches that we missed. So glad because we at them and they were oh so sweet. Thank you September sun, you did your job so well.

4 Responses to “Urban Grape Harvest”

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  1. Jennifer says:

    What a fantastic project, and the colour of those grapes, yum. Well done on the harvest, I bet you are really looking forward to tasting the fruits of your labour.

  2. Concetta says:

    Yes, I can't wait to see what it tastes like! I do remember as a child how amazing it was to see (and smell) the grapes being crushed and then wathing it ferment. We got to drink it before the sugar had turned to alcohol too!

  3. Studio At Crow Haven Farm says:

    What a great weekend and project…and there is wine involved! This looks and sounds like a wonderful event! Thanks for sharing and telling us about this. I have to check with our local vineyards to see if they do things like this. See you in the Fish Bowl!
    Cheers

  4. Concetta says:

    Did you find anything? Will let you know how the wine tastes! 'See' you soon