This is my experience as well, as the grand-child of a French winemaking coop member/owner. Regarding the harvest in particular, there used to be a tradition w

This is my experience as well, as the grand-child of a French winemaking coop member/owner. Regarding the harvest in particular, there used to be a tradition where people who came to help would be compensated with food and drinks at the end of the day, rather than a salary. Not sure if that's still the case now that mechanical harvesting is so common. At least I don't think one would have to pay to experience hand-picking, like some fancy American wineries require.