Latfass

Name (also Ladfass) for a special barrel used during the grape harvest (autumn). The name is derived from the Old High German word "Leitfaz" (also Laytfaß); "Leite" was understood to mean a load, cargo or wagon load or quantity designation. It had a large opening (widened bunghole) on which a grape mill with funnel was placed. It was mounted on a two-wheeled cart that was pulled by horses into the vineyard during the harvest. There, the freshly picked grapes were immediately ground and the mash was driven to the winery. However, latfass was also generally used as a term for the container (also Zuber) for transporting grapes or must. It was also an old custom that after the grape harvest was over, the so-called Herbstmuck (a female harvest helper with a headdress made of grapes and vine leaves) sat on this barrel and was driven to the winery with it during the last transport. The lead barrel was still used in the Rheingau and the Middle Rhine in the 20th century. See also under wine-growing customs.

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Latfass

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