Harvest Season

Harvest Season follows a transformative year in the world of Napa Valley wine production. Directed by Bernardo Ruiz, this 2018 independent documentary unravels the stories of Mexican-American winemakers and migrant workers who are the backbone of the wine industry, revealing their contributions that are often overlooked.

The movie delves into the lives of three central characters: Vanesa Robledo, Rene Reyes, and Gustavo Brambila, who are involved in various facets of wine production. To start with, Vanesa Robledo is a successful woman vintner who runs her family's boutique winery, Robledo Family Winery after breaking away from a patriarchal-dominated profession. She is a dynamic figure, representative of the strength and determination of women in a traditionally male-centric industry, also symbolizing the entrepreneurial spirit of immigrant families.

The second character, Rene Reyes, is a tireless vineyard manager who strives to ensure the growth of top-shelf grapes under changing weather conditions. His meticulous eye for details and his devotion towards the nurturing of vineyards are presented with a graceful touch, making him an exemplar of unwavering dedication and resilience. As a representative of the Mexican vineyard workers that make up a significant part of the wine industry, Rene’s character reveals the often unseen realities and hard work of the migrant worker population within this flourishing industry.

Gustavo Brambila fills out the triptych of characters as a winemaker who has been in the industry for more than 40 years. After having worked with legendary California vintner Mike Grgich, Brambila operates his own vineyard, Gustavo Wine. His character is portrayed as the epitome of the self-made success story, showcasing the journey and struggles of establishing and maintaining a premium independent winery with limited resources in an increasingly competitive industry.

Harvest Season chronicles the harsh realities, relentless hardships, and the sometimes bittersweet successes the trio experience over a period of a year - a cycle of harvesting, fermenting, bottling, and selling. It portrays the volatile nature of their business, as their methods intertwine with the whims of nature like frost, drought, and wildfires, and they are all bound together by the mission to keep the vineyards thriving and the wines flowing.

Moreover, interspersed with shots of gorgeous landscapes and farming minutiae are personal stories of immigration, family endeavors, and the will for a better future. Insightful interviews, poignant narration, and detailed cinematography shape the narrative, hinting at aspects of political, social, and environmental relevance.

The film equally and beautifully balances the art and science of winemaking, entwining into this duality the heritage, passion, and industriousness of our characters. Alongside, it probes into the constants of the winemaking cycle, the persistent threat of financial jeopardy, and the fear of losing homes and livelihoods to sweeping forest fires.

Harvest Season is as much about wine production as it is about the human spirit and resilience in the face of innumerable challenges, shared enthusiasm, love for the land, and dedication towards a craft. Drawing back the curtain, it exposes the painstaking effort, extreme dedication, and the constant perseverance required for the lavish wine that is often taken for granted to reach our tables.

Broadly, the movie illuminates not only the intricacies of wine-making, but it also depicts some of the challenges facing immigrant workers in the wake of tightening immigration control, adding another note of urgency to the fascinating and complex picture it paints of the California wine industry.

In conclusion, Harvest Season offers a peek into one of the most demanding and unpredictable industries. The documentary stands as a testament to the Mexican-American workers, upon whose rigorous efforts, dreams, and craft, the multi-billion dollar wine industry of Napa Valley stands. It brings to fruition their hardships and victories and captures the essence of their dedication. Their stories unravel the true spirit of the wine - a spirit of perseverance, unity, strength, and passion that lingers long after the closing credits roll.