Pictured:Gouveia Winery, Wallingford, Connecticut
My day was about to be spent as a grape harvest volunteer. Steps away from the registration area I looked up and this was my view. Just 50 minutes from my home, I felt I was a continent away. With garden shears in hand, I walked into the field, placed my bucket down and began to release the hanging bunches of grapes that would become the next vintage of wine.

I heard people singing mingled with talk of grape harvests past, people laughing and silence. I saw netting that helped manage competition with birds, forming subtle art along the rows of vines and the occasional bunny passing through. I felt good taking on this earthy role and the hours felt like minutes.

I met people who were glad they were there, who were living in the moment with anticipation of the harvest after party where we shared a meal, stomped grapes and watched a cultural performance. I can’t wait until next year’s harvest.

What daycation experiences do you look forward to doing again?