My grape vines were very healthy and produced a decent amount this season, but the birds got to them before I did.
Yep. There’s always next year. Until there isn’t, LOL! ;)
When I lived in the desert, I got paint strainers (fine nylon net bags) from the home improvement store and enclosed clusters of grapes in them; secured them with twist ties; and left the rest for the birds. The birds would let me know when they were ripe. We had several different varieties which ripened at different times, I think.