Tuesday, May 10, 2022 Farming vineyards, old and new

 Today everyone but me went on a vineyard walk through the premier cru vineyards of Beaune. 

the vineyards of Beaune

marker for one of the premier cru vineyards of Beaune

It was easy to see examples of traditional versus modern management techniques along this lovely walk.

This tractor with the octopus arms is probably spreading a pesticide. Each arm moves down one row of the vineyard. The spray is released low to the ground so that farmers can use less pesticide and produces less overspray that could go to other fields.

You have to look closely to see the horse and farmer tending their vines. This is how work was done in the past.

French vineyard tractors are built especially high with wheels the proper distance apart so they can move through the vineyard.

 

another view of a vineyard tractor-sprayer

One often sees small huts amidst the vines. They were used as shelter from the elements since fields were often quite a distance from home. They're made from the stones found in the field, dry stacked into little rooms. 

a new hut - Chris - these huts are  built of the limestone rocks found in the fields. They are dry-stacked to create a shelter from the weather for the workers in the fields

an old hut ("cabane")

  

A good time was had by all. 

panorama with Chris, Ron, Janis, and Clark

Back at home for apéros and dinner.