Wherever there’s a planted field there’s a harvest, and around the world that time is bustling with activity in the community. The work isn’t done, but the bounty of hard labour is being reaped and everyone can imagine how good it tastes.

In Italy, “la vendemmia” refers to the fall grape harvest, a time that’s difficult to predict since it’s not something that can be scheduled, it happens when the grapes are ready at the peak of their ripeness. In every region of Italy, the focus is on getting the grapes off the vine and into the vats. When the work is done there are large tables filled with food, wine and hungry friends who worked hard with the promise of the season’s best meal waiting for them.

On Preston Street, in addition to Italy, you will find other nationalities represented. Here is what harvest is in their language
China: Zhongqiu 中秋节 (CHONG-choh)
France: la récolte (RAY-colt)
Germany: Ernte (URN-tuh)
India: Pongal (PAHN-gah-leh)
Italy: la vendemmia (VEN-dem-mee-ah)
Ireland: fómhar
South Africa: oes (OOS)
Turkey: hasat (hah-SAHT)
Vietnam: thu hoạch (THO-whah)

How do these countries celebrate the harvest? In Germany, aside from the famous Oktoberfest, is the world’s largest wine festival called Winemarkt. Originally a meeting place for farmers and winemakers in Bad Dürkheim, the wine & food sales attracted pilgrims and eventually grew into a celebration. In Southern India, the Pongal festival celebrating harvest in January is both a festival of bounty and rebirth – old clothes are burned alongside overflowing rice pots. For the mid-autumn Zhongqiu, also known as the Moon festival, in China, family members gather to celebrate the harvest moon and share moon cakes, sweet pastries filled with red beans and almond paste.

No matter where the harvest celebration takes place, it centres on gratitude for bounty and coming together in community. We invite you to come to Preston Street to experience La Vendemmia - a fun filled four day festival from Thursday September 22 to Sunday September 25th. The neighbourhood will be alive with activities for everyone. Events and Activities....
Moveable Feast -  a multicourse gourmet discovery of signature Preston Street restaurants
Grape Stomp - a riotous fundraiser for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation
Taste of Preston Street Food & Wine Show – the signature Sunday afternoon event
Plein Aire Art Paint-out and Sale - an outdoor art show featuring 60 artists set-up along the boulevard
Little Italy Farmers’ Market – the local farmers’ stalls will be overflowing with freshly harvested produce .
Up and down the street, various businesses will offer workshops & culinary events, including Preston Hardware who will be hosting winemaking demonstrations.
Guided walking tours of the public art project “Postcards from the Piazzas” led by the artist, cj fleury, chef led tours by C’est bon Cooking as well as tours of Little Italy’s landmarks led by local historian Luciano Pradal.
We look forward to seeing you at La vendemmia!