Recent content by Ralphee

hmmmmm, is it just me or are these grapes covered in fur? Downy even? VinesnBines i am leaning to your call here, the books gave me a Black Rot first look, but now it could be Downy Mildew. Neither are good..... and i am looking at cutting out a lot of the bunches to stop the spread -any one...

G'day all! A little advice please?? Basically - how much trouble am i in here? Looking up the books, this is black spot / black rot (I know the best way to avoid this is prevention, but its too late this season), and its throughout the whole vineyard. I got caught working on a second project...

Maybe i look at buying a small cool room until i have time to build something bigger? They can be fairly cheap online... not sure the quality though. Without somewhere to be able to store and make the wine i cant make it at home, and i really want to take over making the wine myself, so i need...

I don't know why i have in my head that we need a big room. I know its easier to make it too big now and grow into it, and hard to do the other way. Ideally this would be used for long term storage and making wine, so a multipurpose room, just trying to gauge what others use (especially the...

Now THAT is how its done! Shame i dont have the space or the money for something like this, it would be fantastic! Do you have any finished photos? Ideally i would do a 9x9 mtr room (30ft x 30ft) but even then, thats a big space. The way i am going i will end up with a couple 20ft refridge...

Update.... found some builders who specialize in underground houses. Now looking to explore other avenues.... Looking at $60K to build the structure before fit out - ie water, power, flooring, shelving, cooling etc etc etc. Just too much. What conditions does everyone else make/store their wine...

Late August update : Finally found someone who actually builds underground houses who is interested in helping! Talking to local builders go me nowhere, just "drop a couple 20ft containers and be done with it..." Although he said the build might cost a lot more than expected... will update how...

Don't over inflate the tire on your wheelbarrow! This went with an almighty BANG! Luckily my hand took the blow and i didn't get plastic shards in my face!

I am hoping this was a prank and not real (image attached) Do the hoarders realize they are the ones causing the shortage? If everyone just does their normal thing you probably wouldn't run out?

I went through all 17 pages of this post before starting this thread. If my bunker comes out looking half as good as your build i win be happy! You have set a very high bar for us to reach towards! I had not thought of a roof, was simply thinking of being underground, good points raised here...

Okay brains trust - i have a question, but first let me explain why. Last year I purchased a property with 220 vines on it (mostly Shiraz, a little Cab Sav) and the previous owner makes the wine off site (i grow, he bottles and we go halves). Which is fine for now, but its nothing more than a...

Oh wow, that's a great video! concrete roof over the top helps. Unfortunately there is no way i would legally get away with that here. Our building laws are crazy and there is not retaining walls on the side, rest is brilliant though. Food for thought, thanks

Yes please, i have looked at a few, but mostly find the horror stories. In and *ideal* world i want to get a license to sell my wine and brew some mead here as well, so i need a registered food grade area etc etc etc, but they make it difficult here in Aus to scare off most people (to apply for...

Okay, back from holidays and still thinking out loud (read - looking for advice) 20ft containers underground need a whole bunch of reinforcing, basically i need to build a box to put them inside of. Not as cost effective as first planned (the corners are very structural, however the roof and...

Rice_Guy - exactly what i was just thinking, great idea. I was jumping on here to comment exactly this when i saw your post. Just got off the phone to my contact who can get me 20ft containers and explained what i was doing, he suggested ex-freezer containers. Ones that the motors have died and...