Help wanted during the grape harvest in Piedmont

If you thought about participating in the Nebbiolo harvest, you can basically forget about it now. Not only because this is completely forbidden without a labour agreement, but simply because the Nebbiolo harvest is already over. Earlier than expected, because the grapes were also much earlier ready for picking.

Whoever decides to invite a couple of friends to get a few rows of grapes, risks a fine of up to €19,500. This is what happened to Battista Battaglino, a pensioner who with the help of a few friends wanted to steal a small amount of Barbera and Nebbiolo.

Everyone was really excited until the police and the job inspection services surrounded them. Each friend who gave Battaglino a hand was charged with a €3900 fine and the pensioner had to count down as much for himself. So the friends who had been rounded up to help him, have instead contributed to a fairly large fine. The mayor of Castellinaldo, where the incident took place, will not leave it at that. He wants to have more clarity by November and to set clear rules for everyone who has a piece of vineyard. Maybe there is still hope for Battaglino…