An Australian winemaker in Queensland is reportedly pulling out all the stops to ensure that his next harvesting spree will replicate an honest re-enactment of early man’s grape-picking rituals dating back thousands of years.

The ancients believed the moon drew energy from the grapes

The winemaker, who has been studying 4,000-year-old winemaking techniques as part of a fellowship, will harvest some of his grapes in the nude during a full moon.

He said the first records of naked harvesting and naked crushing of the fruit with bare feet came from Georgia, an independent state of the former Soviet Union and arguably the birthplace of winemaking.

“The ancients believed the moon drew energy from the grapes and goodness from the soil, just as the moon pulls the tides. Many cultures study the lunar cycles and engage in all kinds of mystical rites before harvest. In ancient times clothing made from animal hides would no doubt contain bacteria that would taint the winemaking process. The Bible also records Noah running naked through a vineyard,” he said. “I don’t know if it will work but I’m certainly going to give it a shot”.

The winemaker will start off with a naked harvesting of his Gewurztraminer white grapes in March, followed by another session for his Nebbiolo red grapes in April.

I suspect that the white variety will turn out to be a cheeky little wine; while the red will surely be full-bodied! Whatever they turn out like, they must be the purest form of vin doux naturel or natural sweet wine you will come across!