Journey of a Lifetime

Crushing Over...Grapes and You

The car came to a halt. They were at the Domaine Sigalas, one of the best wineries in Greece, known for their famed Assyrtiko grapes. Raq had booked a private wine tour for them, followed by a wine and food pairing session with an award-winning sommelier. He had contemplated whether to drive himself or book a car to reach the vineyard on the outskirts of Oia, a picturesque city in Santorini. He finally settled for the latter option. Their tour was to end up with a wine lunch, and he wasn't sure if he wanted to drive back with a gut flushed with the best Greek wines.

The long drive from their hotel in Santorini had been picturesque, but all the horse-riding, trekking, long walks by the sea, and late nights had taken a toll on Raq. The result was vacation fatigue. He dozed off a couple of minutes into the drive leaving Shamz to enjoy the scenery alone. But with his head on her shoulder and hand on her waist, it wasn't easy to move around. She was forced to sit like a statue throughout the journey.

Shamz looked at her boyfriend's peaceful resting face, and her heart swelled with love and gratitude. Her love for him was more intense, more intoxicating and deeper than she had ever felt before. She smiled and recalled how she loved him for all the times he cared for her... or otherwise. Seeing him sleeping peacefully, she thought of the way he tucks her under the covers each time and curves himself protectively around her back, holding her close to his heart even in sleep. She placed her fingers on his bare chest, beneath the three open buttons of his powder blue shirt and rubbed her thumb on it. Tenderly, she twirled his tiny chest hair, feeling his rippled muscles under her palm.

She was filled with gratitude for all the times he stood by her, his outpouring of pure love and for all the effort and work he had put into their relationship to make it sobeautiful. She was grateful for all the gentle consideration he showed all the time, his understanding and respect, and the never give up attitude when the chips were low. But what she loved most about him was the way he caught every desire of hers and tried to make it come true. Then whether it was to accompany her to an event he didn't feel like, taking mumma for dinner on a weekday, the unexpected long drive after a gruelling day's work or organising a day at the vineyards to go grape stomping, like today.

She recalled one conversation on a long drive back home. She had shared her dream of visiting a countryside vineyard in Italy, Greece or Spain during the harvest. She wanted to go grape stomping at an idyllic vineyard, with countryfolk, traditional folk music, sounds of the bagpipes but had missed one in Tuscany by a whisker. Though she'd been invited to the grape stomping festivals in Nashik several times it wasn't the same. And so here they were ... her man fulfilling yet another of her desires.

A long driveway covered with tall oak trees on either side led them to the vinery. A climb up a narrow stone bridge, and they were at a large iron gate covered with foliage. Shamz ruffled her sleeping boyfriend's hair, affectionately, careful not to spoil them. She kissed his cheeks, "Get up, baby! We are there." 

Raq woke up with a start. The long drive and Shams comforting touch and fragrance had lulled him to sleep. He woke up feeling rested in mind and body, excited about making the day special for the woman he loved.

Several acres of land with rows of grape vines stretched out in front of them. Hand in hand the two walked towards an area that was buzzing with activity. Men and women in traditional Greek costumes--women in long, bright pinafore dresses with scarf-covered heads and men in loose shirts worn with loose balloon pants and waistband--sat singing and dancing . Massive oak barrels, almost five feet in width and height were kept on the side. They were covered with canvas cloth and sacks.

A young man, of about twenty-twenty one years, rushed towards them. He introduced himself as Yianis, the host for the evening, and the owner's son. After he gave them a brief tour of the vinery and a lowdown of the harvest festival he lead Raq and Shamz towards a huge oak barrel. They lifted the cover to see mounds of large-sized, oval, burgundy-coloured grapes, all ready to be crushed. "Keerios, this is your barrel of grapes." But pointing at a small barrel, he directed them, "You put grapes in the vat. You and Mrs stomp it." Shamz gave a look to Raq and giggled. The small barrel was the size of a regular-sized bathing bucket. It seemed too small for the two of them. But Raq seemed unperturbed. He played along, "Both of us in such a small barrel? The Mrs needs her space." The guide laughed. In broken English he said, "Mrs need no space. She petite. You lift her in arms if she needs space," Yianis laughed as he put some grapes in the small bucket. The elderly women standing around them laughed. They signalled Shamz to lift her dress a little before getting into the vat to avoid getting grape juice on it.