A mechanical grape harvester including a support on which is mounted a plurality of blades. The support is moved to cause the blades to travel a path defined by a closed curve in a vertical plane generally perpendicular to the row of vine, using ascending in the portion of the path closest to the grapes to be harvested and descending in the portion of the path farthest away from the grapes. It is preferred that the blades be flexible in the horizontal direction and rigid in the vertical direction.