The harvest kicked off this week for a number of Luxembourg's vineyards, albeit with some changes thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.
The primary difference this year applies to seasonal workers, for whom it is no longer a simple case of crossing the border in Luxembourg. The Viticulture Institute has therefore distributed test vouchers to winegrowers, to enable seasonal workers to take coronavirus tests where required.
Serge Fischer, head of the Institute, explained they had also issued guidelines to raise awareness among farmers and winegrowers, as well as publishing leaflets in languages such as Romanian and Polish, to help seasonal employees cope with the new demands.
To date, 1,300 test vouchers had been issued, said Fischer. However, some vineyard owners have opted not to employ any seasonal workers from abroad, as is the case for the Domaine Clos Mon Vieux Moulin. Luc Duhr of the vineyard explained they had engaged friends and family members to help with the harvest instead, allowing them to operate a more flexible harvest and ensure the grapes were picked at the optimal time.
