Recent content by clent724

My wife and I make a trip up Erie every fall. We've went to walkers for the past few years except for 2023. We tried Mobilia and I was very happy. Their juices aren't balanced like Walker's but the quality was excellent and the guy was very knowledgeable as well. I was there opening day and...

I've done Chilean grapes in 2021. Carmenere/Sarah blend which turned out excellent. It is already gone unfortunately. I didn't make enough of it. I agree there's no contest when it comes to grapes/juice but I was just trying to save a little money. I'm gonna be off work for a month so just...

I am very close to Brownsville, which is about 1 hour south of Pittsburgh. Luva Bella is almost 2 hours for me but we have family in Niles OH so that's like a 2 for 1 deal for us.

Wine season is around the corner and I cannot decide where to get juice pails from. I'm leaning towards Barbera juice. I can get Chilean Barbera from Luva Bella winery. I can also get South African barbera from CFP in Pittsburgh. In the fall I can get California Barbera also from consumers...

I see this thread is from last year but wanted to share that every Wednesday we gather at the Brownsville Sons of Italy. There is usually around 20 guys for Wine Wednesday. I usually get there around 5 o'clock, we make a beautiful meal, conversation and of course there is wine. Almost everyone...

Allison is very close to where I am. I get grapes from Mario at consumers in Pittsburgh. They are great to deal with. A longtime member of ours orders in bulk for the entire sons of Italy to get a little better deal. When buying juice I like to get Regina juice from sunfresh. Tammy & Mike are...

It's a small world. There's a good chance I know your uncle or have heard the name. I've met so many people over the years with work and through the sons of Italy. As my wife says, I'm not scared to start a conversation with a stranger if they'll hold still and listen. 🤣 Actually this week I am...

That's no kidding! My wife says I'm hard to shop for but I have plenty of ideas. I'll take a carboy over that pair of fuzzy slippers any day 🤣

Manshipfred, Do you still live in the area? I ask because on December 16th we are hosting a Feast of 7 Fishes & Wine Tasting at the Brownsville Sons of Italy. I am a trustee and we are always looking for more winemakers willing to share their creations. The food is out of this world. There's...

Thank you all for the help. I surely will post an update down the road. Since I've been "lurking" I found it very frustrating when an update isn't given. I assume the reason is because there's no longer a problem and the wine has been drank but it's still nice to read the end result.

I read that it needs racked immediately so it doesn't dissolve. Is it so sensitive that I need to rack it straight out of the fridge or can I wheel the carboys to my wine room then rack? Wondering if the movement will dissolve the crystals?

Do you think potassium bitartrate should be added before cold stabilizing or just stick it in the fridge? I have 2 refrigerators that I can stick a total of 4 carboys in at a time. Also in my area the weather is helpful around December & January.

I have heard of them but was under the impression they only sold to businesses. Belle Vernon is only 20 minutes from me. My town is actually East Millsboro but no one has ever heard of that (far in the country) so I say south of Pittsburgh in Brownsville.

Thank you all for the help, it's greatly appreciated. I am also making a 66% diamond/33% Fredonia blend this year for my wife. Just got back on Sarurday from a few days in Erie. I got the juice from Mobilia fruit farm this year. This was my first time there. They are very nice people to deal...

The bourbon barrel has been used a few times for some of the bucket wines I've made. At this point I don't think it's giving much bourbon or even oak flavor anymore. I decided to put it in there for the micro-oxygenation effects mainly. It's been in the barrel about 3 months currently. I have...