Women - have you ever done grape crushing in France etc?

Question

Myself and a few ladyfriends were considering visiting a wine producing region in the south of France. One of the girls suggested we should all try grape crushing by foot, as she says this is the traditional method! I'm not sure whats involved in this method of crushing the grapes and was wondering if any other women have experienced this and if they could describe whats involved!

Answer 1

Lucy and Ethel had a great time doing it.

Answer 2

My sister did the "vendive" in Beaujolais, but they did not crush the grapes with their feet.  Indeed, I don't know that any grower uses this method of crushing grapes anymore.  It's labor intensive and unhygienic.  In France, though, you can pick grapes (which is very hard work) and take part in the whole "vibe" (eating meals with the family and post-harvest partying with the whole community) which she says was an experience she will never forget (good).

If you really want to crush grapes with your feet, you should possibly look to Eastern Europe where some growers may still use this "traditional" method.

Answer 3

Lucy and Ethel had fun doing it and are the only ones. Grape crushing is very rarelydone that way anymore, unless you are american and a tourist and watched too much TV.

I wouldn't even think of it, there are some wood in there some bugs some times(before the washing) and other nasty things you don't want to know about!