The best wines come from Slovenia in the north, where the vine rows march up to the border of Italy's Friuli district.

During a recent visit to the chateau, a cloud cast a shadow over the vine rows, and light rain splashed on the courtyard of the low, 12th-century structure.

Thyme, grasses and wild flowers grow between the vine rows, and insecticides are banned.

Few new vineyards are planted without vine rows wide enough and long enough to accommodate them.

Most of the vine rows run north-south to get maximum exposure to the sun.

Then comes the vibration of the support wire being stretched from one end of the vine row to the other.

In many wine-producing countries, particularly in poorer regions, farmers plant fruit trees, grain and vegetables between the vine rows.

Between vine rows, Silver Oak grows cover crops to aid in the growth of organic matter, reduce weed growth, help retain soil nutrients and improve soil structure.

Even in the vine rows, it beat down on his skin, burning and blistering him.

One is steadily pulling leaves off healthy vines, another is planting weeds among the vine rows, and the third is releasing clouds of predatory bugs.