Most wineries (everywhere, not just Margaret River) depend on specialists to support them. Everything from accountants to pruners, truckers, pickers etc. Whilst those specialists might not be part of the winery permanent staff, they often perform key roles that the winery depends on.
Winemakers love to be 'in control' of EVERYTHING, even though a few things (like the weather) are just a bit beyond their reach. But any chance to be in control of the process puts a smile on their faces. Otherwise, they are left to manage the compromises that real life brings...like the rest of us do every day.
A critical compromise is when to pick. It becomes a juggle with the availability of the harvesting machine (usually a contractor) Vs the ideal in terms of ripeness and flavour. This is often a huge challenge for the winemaker. Fortunately for some, the winery that has their own harvesting machine can get closer to that ideal picking date. Vineyard managers and wine makers in those wineries with their own harvesters have plenty of other things to worry over....but the timing of the harvest isn't such a headache!
Winemakers love to be 'in control' of EVERYTHING, even though a few things (like the weather) are just a bit beyond their reach. But any chance to be in control of the process puts a smile on their faces. Otherwise, they are left to manage the compromises that real life brings...like the rest of us do every day.
A critical compromise is when to pick. It becomes a juggle with the availability of the harvesting machine (usually a contractor) Vs the ideal in terms of ripeness and flavour. This is often a huge challenge for the winemaker. Fortunately for some, the winery that has their own harvesting machine can get closer to that ideal picking date. Vineyard managers and wine makers in those wineries with their own harvesters have plenty of other things to worry over....but the timing of the harvest isn't such a headache!
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