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I use GoFirm Protect to start and then add the appropriate. Amount of Fermaid K when Brix are 2/3 down from start. It always works, i.e. no H2S. I don’t use any DAP. These cost a bit more, but are worth it, for sure. I have recently been using Renaissance Avante yeast, which is non H2S...

For The Avante yeast I follow the normal protocols for hydration and nutrients. I use GoFirm Protect and Fermaid K. I also use OptiRed right after crushing and then pitch the next day. I find that the ferment goes along well without heating up too much and no H2S. I cannot tell any...

I have been using Renaissance Avanti for th last couple years and really like it. No H2S and that is a big relief. It has nice aroma characteristics and well as fruit forward ness, which I like. I am using it on my Sangiovese, Zin, and CF grapes. Oh, these are grapes I grow myself. Try it...

I use both all the time. I look at it as insurance, to make sure I get the best wine I can from my grapes with as few problems as possible. You don’t need to use them, but low nutrient grapes will be apt to caus you problems. I believe in being safe in my winemaking.

pH is what matters, not TA. Adjust the pH to between 3.4 and 3.6 if you can. Taste it and even if it is above 3.6 and it tastes OK to you leave it be. Can you test for sulfite level? If not, add a bit mor sulfite than usual to protect as high pH wine needs more sulfite to protect it from...

Stress any is right on. tA is really hard to adjust much at this point. Rule of thumb is to be careful as it is to over adjust. Also, a high pH will make it difficult to protect your wine with sulfite, so I would recommend adjusting the pH down a bit to a point it tastes OK to you. Good luck.

BM4x4 works fine, but it does need nutrients, as do most of the yeasts. Be careful of coinoculation of yeast and MLF. They can compete with each other. Add MLF after ferment has dropped a few Brix. Just my two cents worth.

Air last is the way to go if you can afford it. What does that unit run? There are a number of manufactures. Also, a backpack airblast from Stihl or Solo is a lest costly option.

Where is your CF now? Mine is into veriason.

Color in Rose has no effect on flavor so enjoy it the way it is! Keep it simple.

I use over the top netting on my hedge pruned Zin. It works fine, it I find that I have to carefully close any openings in the netting when I pull the two sided together at the bottom. Otherwise, the darn birds, at least my birds, will find their way in any opening. I had read somewhere that...

Sundown, your plan sounds good. I was trying to say that attaching it to lower wires and then draping it over is best. In our area we have to close the netting all up with clothespins or C clips or the birds get under the nets and do their deed. They are a real problem. Sometimes one will get...

Yes, I think that will work. Normally, the netting is attached to a wire below the fruit zone so that when you drop the netting, I.e. untie the C clips from the upper catch wire, the netting drops down out of the way of the fruiting zone. You can then just roll it up and attach to the lower...

Side netting works best with VSP trellis systems or similar. I forgot to mention that.

Side netting is what you need. Orchard or Spec Trelis have it in various widths. I hog clip the net to a wire just below the cordon. You could also attach it to your drip line wire. That is permanent. You use C clips to tie it up to a catch wire or together above your fruit zone. After...

NorCal, how long are you bulk aging your reds? I use Flextanks a day have been shooting for 2-3 years aging. I have found that the Flextanks seem to use sulfite fairly fast to I have to check every month or two now. I ruined a couple of 15 gal tanks of CS and CF by not doing the testing...

Try BM4x4 or RP15, they both work well with Zin.

I grow Sangiovese so I almost always make a “super.” I would recommend BM4x4 too. I think more Sangiovese makes a better Super Tuscan. That said, 75% Sangiovese and 25% of the other two is what I recommend. Oak to taste, but don’t overdo it. Bottom line, do what tastes good to you.

Morning when it is cool is best. Whenever you can harvest is fine.

After you prune in winter, hit the vines with lime sulphur. That will kill off the buggers that get into the bark. I spray right after I prune.