Recent content by Jags

I emailed the manufacturer to see if they would cover it under warranty and replace it with the metal shaft ones if they still make them. (s mix-stir a brand name?) If not I'll get one from George.

Racked my first kit today. Made a complete mess of the kitchen. <flashback> No one said it would be easy. </flashback> The mix-stir didn't hold up. I must have gotten a newer model that has a plastic shaft instead of all metal. Will be calling them tomorrow.

I'm confused, what do you mean not using your equiptment? Just get a new kit and another carboy and refill that primary. Then if you end up with too much wine we can come help keep your stock in check..... I'm still fermenting my first kit so haven't had to store anything yet.

It's the Cellar Classic 6 week 15L. It's good to hear that it may be drinkable in a couple of months. I'll just have to keep making so much I couldn't possibly drink it all so some of them will make it to maturity.....

Thanks Smurfe! Can we call ya papa?

My first kit is in primary, an RJS Cab-Merlot. Everything I'm reading in forums says this kit should bulk age for a year to three before bottling and then three months to years in the bottle before it reaches maturity. Do I have that right? I have a spot in the basement, dark and vibration...

My kit came with a little plastic thingy that you squeeze to pinch the hose and it locks, stopping the flow. They have to cost less than a dollar. It also came with a bottling wand which might be more what you want. You put it in the bottle and when it touches the bottom it lets the wine flow...

Do you know how many seasons the barrel was used? Knowing how much oak it's going to impart might affect your choice of wine made and/or length of aging in the barrel.

I'm with you. I would be afraid of using non food grade plastic. Where are we getting juice from?

When I first opened my kit and saw the racking cane I guessed that you pushed it through the bung stopper to a depth above the lees with the J portion out the top to attach the hose too. But now I'm reading about people breaking the end off in their carboys so it sounds like the J end goes in...

I made my kit tonght. It was much easyer than I thought it would be took less than an hour including setup and cleanup. It's been sitting less than two hours and already has positive pressure from the bucket in the airlock. Time to celebrate, anyone toasting with me?

We haven't counted them yet although I did try to goad her into betting how many are there. I see us one night in front of the tv with piles of them spread over the livingroom floor. I've been using cellartracker.com for a year and we drank 252 bottles in 2006 (that includes parties we threw)...

No photoshop, I'm not that skilled. Yes to acrylic. We saw a similar one at Three Fox Vineyards back in October and I had a fit about wanting one and she pulled the old,"you don't need that", then found me one. The same company makes a martini glass that size and now she wants one of those.

Thank you for Santa Clause, he was very good to me this year. I got home from work yesterday to a late present (backordered). I've saved almost every cork that me and swmbo have drank since we've been living together (almost 5 years) and this seems like the perfect place to store them.

I must have been really good this year. For xmas I got a Vintners Best equipment kit and a Cellar Classic Cab-Merlot kit. I wanted to start with some kits to see if I like the process before diving in and planting vines. Me and swmbo enjoy touring wineries and last year filled our Virginia wine...