The team at Fence Stile Vineyards and Winery has been busy this summer not only tending to the grapevines, but also picking blackberries! We harvested 200 pounds of plump, juicy blackberries from our patch located next to the Concord grapevines. What did we do with the fruit of our labors? 

Last weekend, we introduced a limited-edition line of Vineyard Lifestile Blackberry Chambourcin Jam, Blackberry Basil Jam, and Blackberry Ginger Chili Chutney. Blackberry Chambourcin Jam is made from our blackberries and Chambourcin grape juice. It's perfect to spread on toast, a bagel or muffin. Try it with some savory goat cheese and slices of baguette. The Blackberry Basil Jam is sweet and savory. Enjoy it with some brie, a topping for ice cream, on granola cereal for breakfast, or pair it with roast lamb or beef tenderloin and a glass of Chambourcin. For the sweet, mildly spicy and savory combination of Blackberry Ginger Chili Chutney, pair it with rich gorgonzola cheese served on a cracker or crostini and some grapes or figs. 

​Enjoy the essence of fresh summer berries through these jams and chutney available exclusively at our Tasting Room. Stop in, try a sample and take some home! They won't last long!

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Join us and help with the harvest!​ RSVP to reserve a spot today. 

Our harvest is quickly approaching. Harvest begins on Sunday, August 26th. Participating in the grape harvest is a fun, immersive way to extend your wine experience and education. Our winery team will explain the harvest process and show you how to harvest grapes from the vines. Afterward, join us for a harvest lunch made in-house by our chef and toast the harvest with wine!

Space is limited and reservations are required. Email us to get on the harvest list. Please include a phone number, preferred date, and how many spots you would like.

Harvest dates:
Sunday, August 26th
Sunday, September 2nd
Sunday, September 9th
Sunday, September 16th
Sunday, September 23rd

Tentative date for our Annual Grape Stomp (I Love Lucy style) - Sunday, September 30th. Details to come. 

About our Harvest Parties
We begin harvest in the cool mornings, starting at 8 am, after a light breakfast. We finish when the grapes are picked but strive to be done by lunchtime.  

As volunteers harvest, our team brings the macro bins – full of grapes that you helped to pick – to the crush pad. The grapes will be loaded into the crusher/destemmer and prepared for crush. After the harvest, enjoy a hearty lunch with the group. Also, watch the crush process and even taste some of the free run juice!

This communal experience of working together to bring in the annual harvest is best shared with family and friends. Sign up with a group or make new friends when you join us.  Email us to get details or sign up in the Tasting Room at the winery. Once we're ready to harvest, we'll email you in advance with instructions on what to wear and how to prepare. Hint: It's simple and basic. 
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Preparing for Harvest
Below, Shriti holds a refractometer that is used to measure the sugar level in a grape's juices. It's one way that we determine when grapes are ready to harvest. Veraison, a French term that describes the change in grape color, is another visual clue. As red grapes ripen, they begin to develop color as sugar levels develop. The skin of green grapes grow more translucent as they ripen. Below, compare photos of grapes from mid-July to early August. Soon, our grapes will be ready to harvest, full of sweetness and heady aroma.

​We'll see you in the vineyard and Tasting Room soon! Sign up today to RSVP for our Harvest Party!