| It’s Time to Make Some Wine
Subject:
It’s Harvest Time…Pick me….Squeeze me….Help Wanted During Harvest 2026
To:
Purple Finger Club Members
Dates:
August 15,16,22,23,29,30
September 5,6, and September 12,13, will be tentative picking dates (Dates are subject to change)
Time:
7:30 – 7:45 am, Orientation at 8 am
SPECIAL NOTE:
We are offering 2% for every volunteer
hour starting August 15 through August 30
double the points means double the fun….
Hello, the Vineyard is looking a bit different this year due to some early warming and late frosts. Plus, we’ve had so much rain this year that some varieties have been a little slow to ripen, but everything is moving along. We appreciate your help. The more help, the faster we can get it all harvested.
We will start August 15 and should last approximately through August 30th. Extended picking dates will be September 5 & 6 and September 12 & 13. Please invite friends and family to help us get through this Harvest. The more the merrier!
We invite YOU to be part of our Purple Finger Club (PFC) and help pick grapes. Just imagine next year around this time enjoying the fruits of your labor as you sip on this year’s vintage.
What do you think, are you in…. In addition to getting Purple Fingers, you will enjoy:
· Discounts (up to 25%) on wine(to go only), and many gift shop items. Earn 2% August 15 to August 30 and 1% on the remaining weekends for every volunteer hour.
· Free Breakfast snacks, coffee, lunch, and beverages on harvest days, including Wine Slushies, and Sangria.
· Admission to the exclusive Harvest Dinner. Save the date: Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 5 pm – In the “Dragonfly”.
· Free gossip…you know that song…”I heard it through the grape vine”.
· A Purple Finger Club (PFC) T-shirt.
· Information about the wine-making process.
· Fun and friendship.
What’s Involved:
· No experience is necessary. It’s pretty easy work. For safety reasons, well-behaved, supervised children over the age of 10 can help however they do not earn points like the adults. We do recommend they be at least 5 foot tall. As their adult, you decide.
· We provide the picking shears, bug spray, sunscreen, and instructions.
· We also provide snacks, a light lunch, plenty of water & other beverages.
· RSVP for the dates (listed above) along with a phone number. If you can’t make the date, please let us know as soon as you can by emailing us at janette@sleepycreekvineyards.com.
· Show up on your sign up date(s) between 7:30 – 7:45 AM and check-in. Orientation starts at 8 AM.
· Wear comfortable clothing. Preferably closed toe shoes (flip-flops not recommended).
· It’s helpful if you can plan on helping for a minimum of two hours if possible, but if it turns out this activity is not for you for any reason, that’s okay.
· Some people like to bring their own hat, gloves and sunglasses.
· Sign-in inside the Tasting Room when you arrive. When entering the Tasting Room, please be quiet. Don’t let the doors slam. Bed & Wine guests may be sleeping.
· Sign-out in the tasting room when you leave to get your PFC discount time recorded.
· Walking is required. Lifting may be needed, but others can help.
· We will NOT pick if it downpours a few hours before or it is currently raining heavily. If you are unsure, feel free to call us that morning at 217-474-6848 (Erik’s cell phone).
RSVP Now!
Please RSVP to this Harvest email as soon as you can and include the specific dates you are available to help. Include your phone number in case we need to reach you at the last minute (mainly to inform you if a date has been cancelled for some reason).
Please forward this invitation to friends. If you received this email as a forwarded email or simply would like to become a Purple Finger Club member, please click HERE and check the Purple Finger box to ensure you receive further PFC notifications.
And remember our annual Harvest Dinner for the Purple Finger Club will be November 8, 2026 at 5 pm. This is for anyone who volunteers during this harvest season. More information will be coming your way.
Without you as customers and volunteers, Sleepy Creek would not exist. We thank you!
Sincerely,
Your Friends at Sleepy Creek |
