That gets a budding winemaker moving

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Softened and spoiled are terms that constantly pop up in the “youth of the day” discussion. Björn Meile (19) does not fit this mold. As a vineyard apprentice, he stays outside in all weather conditions and deals with the wine cellar with great energy.

On a sunny February morning in the vineyards of his apprenticeship Rutishauser-DiVino SA in Winterthur ZH, he shows Blick what his daily life is like and how he envisions the future.

Rubber boots instead of Bostitch

Before her taster apprenticeship as a winemaker, Meile played a career in the office. After his first day at the vineyard, he abandoned his plan to train as a computer scientist and follow in his father’s footsteps. He was allowed to plant the vine and was immediately impressed by the diverse business content and activity in the fresh air. “My environment was stunned, I’m the only one in the family who chose the farming path,” Meile says.

Physical exertion aside, neither the wind nor the weather bothers the sporty young man. He enthusiastically tells: “A day in the vineyard passes very quickly. We are currently checking the wire systems and pruning the old vines. When the risk of frost is very low, young plants are pruned». The use of modern tools is also exciting for him. Forklifts, tractors, combines, etc. in the wide machine park. exists. Tech-savvy Thurgau feels at home here.

bubble professional pride

Another appreciation of his profession is that he can follow the entire development process of the grape from the vine to the harvest and production to the finished wine. Moreover, he is motivated by the passion of those involved: «The exchange of ideas with other workers and helpers during the harvest gives me the greatest pleasure, because everyone is passionate about their work. Sociability isn’t neglected, it’s cute.”

His apprenticeship places great value on practical experience and enables apprentices to prepare a wine of their choice each year from A to Z grapes of their own choosing. “Squeezing the apprentice’s wine is a special experience. In 2021, we vinified our drop from the fungus-resistant Seyval blanc variety. Last year it was an aging Pinot Noir in the bariks». They were totally to his liking. He likes fruity, well-balanced wines such as Pinot gris and Gamaret.

Right way

Education not only brought him closer to viticulture and cellar technology, but also made him sensitive to changes in nature. He is interested in climate change and the measures to be taken. “Today I look around me with different eyes. For example, soil is not just soil, but living matter. Its structure and creatures fascinate me». Organic farming is therefore the future of Meile. “Not all farms can be biomedicated, I understand that.”

Rolling around calmly is not Meile’s style. She is currently preparing for her final apprenticeship exams and will then extend her commitment to her employer. After that, he’ll swap the winemaker’s gear for a camouflage suit and complete the 2024 Winter RS. She doesn’t want to dedicate herself any further, but can dream of exploring the world of wine: “I really enjoyed my apprenticeship in French-speaking Switzerland. It would still appeal to me to gain experience in a new wine region». Places he misses include Greece and South Africa. Wherever it takes him, that’s for sure. there is one thing: it will not be bored.

Source : Blick