This temporary function was once widespread throughout Europe, but is now extinct. Depending on the region and country, there were various names such as Bannert, Beerhüter, Flurhüter, Hirter (in Austria dialectally "Hiata"), Hüter, Jahrhüter, Saltner (South Tyrol), Schütz or Wengertschütz, Weinbergshüter and Wingerthüter. During the "Hutzzeit", the guardians had the task of watching over the vineyards and protecting them from theft when the grapes were ripe - i.e. before the grape harvest began. They also had to protect the vineyards from harmful birds and game damage. Some of these guardians also had police powers over human grape thieves. They were appointed and paid by the local authorities. The job was temporary and ended at the end of the grape harvest - which in some wine-growing regions was 16 October (St Gallus' Day). According to an old farmer's rule, this is proclaimed as follows: On St Gall's, everything should be at home.
Serious sources on the internet are rare - and Wine lexicon from wein.plus is one such source. When researching for my articles, I regularly consult the wein.plus encyclopaedia. There I get reliable and detailed information.
Thomas Götz
Weinberater, Weinblogger und Journalist; Schwendi