Manual harvesting

The traditional method of harvesting, by hand, consists of cutting the stem of individual bunches (peduncle) and putting the bunches into a suitable container. This method, as opposed to mechanical harvesting, can be employed regardless of terrain, row spacing (see vine density), and precise vine-training system. It also allows pickers to select individual bunches according to their ripeness and to eliminate unhealthy fruit affected by rot or disease. Very occasionally pickers may be instructed to leave unripe fruit on the vine although this is not always easy to determine by the time of harvest and vines are usually stripped clean.