Even though Pomerol is always the first of the major Bordeaux wine appellations to harvest, with an August 31 start date, this is much earlier than usual.

Gentle pickings take place before the serious harvesting of the grapes to produce the white Bordeaux wines begins taking place. The purpose is to help train the staff while making sure everything is in working order for when the fruit starts rolling in.

Until recently, many vintners were sure 2011 would be one of the earliest harvests in history, Some growers were sure you would have to go all the way back to 1893 to find a vintage that was picked as early as 2011. That is no longer the case.