Each year, in the prestigious St. Emilion vineyard, Chateau Cheval Blanc invites a lucky 120 people to pick the grapes to make its celebrated wine.
Merlot grapes —
Each year, in the prestigious St. Emilion vineyard, Chateau Cheval Blanc invites a lucky 120 people to pick the grapes to make its celebrated wine.
Jim Bittermann/CNN
Work in the fields is hard, but the job attracts Michelin-starred chefs, architects and aroma experts. And they're willing to work for free.
Tough job —
Work in the fields is hard, but the job attracts Michelin-starred chefs, architects and aroma experts. And they're willing to work for free.
Jim Bittermann/CNN
While some toil in the fields, others work inside at the triage tables where the baskets are poured into machines to shake the grapes from the vines.
Triage tables —
While some toil in the fields, others work inside at the triage tables where the baskets are poured into machines to shake the grapes from the vines.
Jim Bittermann/CNN
Spotters on either side of the tables carefully remove any remaining bits of vine to avoid impurities that might influence the taste of the final product.
Vine vetting —
Spotters on either side of the tables carefully remove any remaining bits of vine to avoid impurities that might influence the taste of the final product.
Jim Bittermann/CNN
In a pre-Internet age, wine picking season was as potent as Facebook and eHarmony at arranging hook ups. Today, people come to Chateau Cheval Blanc for different reasons ...
Social scene —
In a pre-Internet age, wine picking season was as potent as Facebook and eHarmony at arranging hook ups. Today, people come to Chateau Cheval Blanc for different reasons ...
Jim Bittermann/CNN
Firstly, there's the food. Thick slices of rare beef grilled over old grape vines ...
Bordeaux BBQ —
Firstly, there's the food. Thick slices of rare beef grilled over old grape vines ...
Jim Bittermann/CNN
Giant six-liter bottles of Cheval Blanc 2004 help ease the grape picking aches. The vineyard's owner says 2015's harvest could produce its best wine yet.
... and drinks —
Giant six-liter bottles of Cheval Blanc 2004 help ease the grape picking aches. The vineyard's owner says 2015's harvest could produce its best wine yet.
Jim Bittermann/CNN