Grape picking in France

If you’re looking for a unique Euro travel experience from late summer through spring, taking part in vendange (the harvest) is a time-honoured tradition for Aussies. You can dip your toe in as a vendangeur d’un jour (harvester for a day) or go all in as a *vendangeur (ou vendanguese) – sleeping on-site at a French winery and picking *les raisins alongside local crews in exchange for meals and pay.

This Guardian article gives an honest overview of the realities of the work (repetitive and demanding, but also rewarding and convivial), while the Wine Travel Guides website has all the details on how, when and where to volunteer.

* picker | *grapes