Following the resounding success of last year’s harvest, the proprietors of Tal-Massar Winery, Mr. Anthony Hili and his wife Marisa, have turned their vineyards into a showcase for a group of tourists, foreign residents and others who crossed over from Malta to participate in their annual grape picking activity. This activity provided them with a unique experience, in which they directly contributed towards the production of wine which will be introduced on the market next year.

The number of grape pickers doubled from last year with around 40 people, most of them professional and business people, joining in for this highly innovative agri-touristic activity held amidst pristine and picturesque rural surroundings on the outskirts of Gharb. Apart from serving as a normal harvesting activity, this grape picking event may be described as a communal and social gathering of people from different cultures, fostering friendship through contact with nature. The Hilis explained the rationale behind this activity which is that of directly promoting their wine, which is produced from grapes that are grown without the use of herbicides and is eligible for D.O.C. classification whilst also promoting healthy living.

Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo, was invited to participate in this activity which she described as an initiative that positively affects various aspects related with Government’s policy for Gozo. The Minister explained how during the first five years of EU membership Gozo benefitted through EU funded projects. Various courses that promoted knowledge of good agricultural practices, were held whilst a number of schemes provided assistance within various sectors amongst which agriculture.

The Minister for Gozo said that the Tal-Massar story witnesses the benefits of these endeavours that offered them the opportunity to increase their knowledge in order that they could develop their land in a way that conserves the picturesque environment of the area whilst creating a new typical Gozitan product. Such an activity also contributes as an added attraction for foreign and domestic tourists that visit Gozo at this time of year. All this helps to expose the unique characteristics of the island especially those connected with the typical rural and culinary aspects. The minister also remarked that such activities are compatible with the eco-Gozo concept.

After picking around 6,000 kilos of red grapes, namely San Giovese and Sircusian, those present were invited to taste typical Gozitan food prepared by the owner’s wife whilst also having the opportunity to be amongst those who had the first taste of the fine wine to be launched on the market by the Tal-Massar Winery next year.

In one of the partecipant’s words. "Through this activity, in these surroundings one feels free from tension because contact with nature has the ability to remove the negative energy and tension accumulated over the years through modern day’s hectic life."

Permalink: Agri-tourism is taking roots in Gharb Vineyard