HARVEST HELPERS - Paloma Vineyard

Harvest is one of the most exciting times of the year at Paloma Vineyard. It's when months of farming come together, the vineyard comes alive, and every day brings something new.

Each season, we invite a small group of Harvest Helpers to experience it alongside us. Most are longtime customers or friends of the winery who have always wondered what harvest is really like. Rather than simply watching from the sidelines, they become part of the team—working alongside our family in the vineyard and winery while learning firsthand how our wines are made.

Harvest Helpers typically stay with us for several days, giving them the chance to experience the rhythm of harvest as it unfolds. No two days are exactly alike. Depending on the pace of harvest, helpers may pick grapes, sort fruit, clean equipment, assist with crush, or lend a hand wherever it's needed. It's hard work, but it's also one of the most rewarding ways to experience a working family winery.

At the end of each day, everyone gathers around the table for a home-cooked dinner, sharing stories from the vineyard and celebrating another day of harvest together. Many of our Harvest Helpers return year after year, and we're incredibly grateful for the friendships and support they've brought to Paloma over the years.

Expectations

Harvest is an incredible time of year in Napa. It’s the culmination of a long season and a lot of hard work. But that hard work is not quite over. If you are interested in joining us for harvest as a Harvest Helper, we ask that you come prepared to participate each and every day. It is a lot of fun, but it can also be a lot of hard work. If this doesn’t sound like something you think you will enjoy, this may not be the right experience for you.

It is important that you are physically able to participate in the winery. It is where most of the action is and it is where we hope to set you up most days. If you are unsure or have any questions, please check in with us before committing to join us for harvest.

Lastly, harvest comes at a different time each year. It typically starts in September or October and takes about 8-12 weeks start to finish. The challenge is that we do not know exactly when it will come. Often, by about July or August we have an idea of when we think it will be, but it is always an estimate and we cannot guarantee what will be happening at the vineyard when you will arrive.

Your Commitment

1. We ask that you commit to 5 days with us: Thursday arrival to Monday departure. This is the ideal time period; however, there is some flexibility if needed.

2. We ask that you come prepared to work every day, knowing that you may be starting early and finishing late depending on what the day’s activity brings.

Our Commitment

For the week that you are with us, we will provide you with on-site accommodations similar to those of an Airbnb, but with the added bonus of waking up on a vineyard every morning! You will have your own full-size fridge, queen bed, full bathroom, couch, TV, wifi, and pool table. We will provide dinners and wine. We ask that you come prepared to handle breakfast and lunch. You will have access to a kitchen for either of those meals if it is needed. The town is 15 minutes away with two grocery stores and lots of take-out or eat-in options.

How do I sign up?

If all of the information above excites you as much as it excites us, click the link below and send us your info. Every year we reach out to our list of potential harvest helpers to see who is keen to join us.