Winemakingprocessequipmentands
Torag

This is a photo of the rack under construction. I cut the 4 by 4\'s in 1 foot blocks. I stacked one on each end, placed 4 2 by 4 supports at 16.5 inch intervals, then layed 4 inch planks on top. Each level was secured with screws, the the next level was a

I made this wine rack for under $100. I used 4 by 4\'s and 2 by 4\'s as the main supports. As it is configured here, the rack will hold 175 bottles. Without too much trouble I could continue up, adding more levels.

Vacume Pump - Here I\'ve just finished using my vacume pump on 6 gallons of strawberry wine. I\'ve hit it several times with 22\" of pressure. At this point I\'m getting very little bubble activity.

One big primary fermenter

The grapes - These were harvested Sept 25-2011 and are headed for the crusher.

Ready For Storage

After the wine was removed from below the cap, the fermenter is opened. These skins here are headed for the press.

Cake anyone? On this day we did this many times over.

Fill-er-up - This keg is just about filled with wine. MLF was added shortly after.

Sept 26 2011 - Here, my 18 gallon fermenter is nearly to the top. This is filled with 12 gallons of crushed/destemed Cab Sauv. As you can see, the skins expand in the fermenter.

Sept 26 2011 Here is my punch down tool. I coated all wood with varnish so it will not absorb wine. It worked fine.

Oct 03 2001 - The two left carboys contain the wine from my 12 gallon fermenter. Note the gross lees in the bottom. This was day one after press. Shortly after I racked the carboys again to get it off the gross lees. The right wines are scuppernog and Jal

Here, I\'ve taken the Cab Sauv off the gross lees and returned it to my secondary fermenters. I started with 12 gallons of crushed grapes and ended up with 8.75 gallons. I expect I\'ll loose a little more before racking is complete.

2012 Wine Making

2012 Wine Making