Napa Valley Grape Harvest (9 images)

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  • In Napa Valley, where an estimated 90 percent of wine grapes are still picked by hand, Mexican-born laborers can earn up to $10 per hour in the vineyards during harvest season. But tighter security at the US/Mexico border has reduced the availability of these seasonal workers, most of whom enter the country illegally.<br /> <br /> Photographed for the LA Times

  • Bunches of ripe Cabernet grapes hang from the vine at the Barberis Vineyard in Calistoga.<br /> <br /> Photographed for the LA Times

  • A Mexican laborer hired for the harvest season works quickly in early morning hours to harvest Cabernet grapes before rising temperatures heat up the fruit at Barberis Vineyard.<br /> <br /> Photographed for the LA Times

  • Jose Perez carries ripe fruit from the vine on the Barberis family farm.<br /> <br /> Photographed for the LA Times

  • Workers harvest Cabernet grapes on the Barberis farm. Left to right at bottom are Buddy Barberis, son of vineyard owner Bobby Barberis, neighbor John Carlson, Lois Barberis (wife of Bobby) and friend Mario Sereni. The Barberis family grows 35 acres of grapes exclusively for Chateau Montelena winery. <br /> <br /> Photographed for the LA Times

  • Laborer Antonio Monzia harvests ripe Cabernet grapes at the Barberis Vineyard.<br /> <br /> Photographed for the LA Times

  • Laborer Juan Perez delivers ripe fruit from the vine to a waiting tractor at the Barberis Vineyard.<br /> <br /> Photographed for the LA Times

  • Laborer Ernesto Pena poses for a photo while picking Cabernet grapes at the Barberis Vineyard.<br /> <br /> Photographed for the LA Times

  • Laborers like Jose Perez, right, and Antonio Monzia are in high demand in the vineyards of Napa Valley during harvest season, where an estimated 90 percent of wine grapes are picked by hand and the use of mechanical harvesters is eschewed. But tighter security at the US/Mexico border may reduce the availability of these seasonal workers, most of whom enter the country illegally.<br /> <br /> Photographed for the LA Times

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