Search results

So with powdery mildew in the vineyard and my second ever crop lost. I needed to figure out what I was going to do this winter. So I stopped by the Habitat for Humanity store and low and behold there was a group of brand new cabinets at about 1/3 the cost of new. Somebody ordered them but was...

Not sure what is going on my Viognier vines are doing well, but the red grapes (Cab franc, Cab S & Petie Verdot) are all shriveled. I have pruned both of them the same and not sure what is up. The reds look as if they have given up and started putting up new shoots and new clusters a couple of...

Well I finally got the test kit with papers to see if the Malolactic Fermentation was completed. So I gave it a shot and here is how it turned out. As it was my first vintage very happy it looked complete. Some of these tests and number checks, sort of make me feel analytical but then I remember...

So since I am so new and have been sitting on my first crush of red and white grapes. I did add a culture of Malolactic bacteria when the secondary was complete and have been sitting on them for 4 months. They have been stored in my shop covered and between 55 and 60 degrees. I am getting read...

Ok so this is my fourth leafing and I had them last fall only in my Viognier row. Now I was out pruning the roses by the rows and I have them hoping all over my weeds and roses that are just budding out. They are in and around all my vines (26) Any advice on what todo?

Ok let see them and I'll start.

When bulk aging and racking every three months. What is the least amount of campden tabs per gallon you use. My wife has some red wine issues and we think it may be the higher amounts of sulfides in commercial wines. I know some don't use any but I am such a newbie at this I want a little...

Before Christmas everybody asked me what I wanted for Christmas and my December Birthday. I said this isn't fun for you but what I really want is take what you would normally spend cut it in half and give me that in cash. What do you need they asked? Wine making equipment most agreed to the deal...

So I was finally able to do my second racking after about three months in the carboys. I did notice the sediment in the bottom was crystal Like in nature. Since this is the first time making wine I'm not sure if this is what the settlement is supposed to be like. I did do a malolactic...

I can't believe my family actually listened to me this Christmas holiday. They all pulled together and I have some spending money to buy a destemmer and crusher. So what can I get for a 2-4 hundred dollars. For those of you that have a destemmer crusher what do you like, what do you wish you...

OK everybody out there need a little help. I should get my MLS shipment today. This is my first attempt at MLF. My first question is can you rack with the AIOWP during MLF. My second question is should I airlock or put a solid bung on the carboys during MLF. I don't know how much CO2 is produced...

So after pressing a little over 5.5 gallons of Viognier a week or so back and racking it on Thursday. It looked, smelled and tasted like wine, albeit not good wine, but wine none the less. Whoot!!!! I picked and stomped Thursday 2 vines of cab franc and should get about 2.5 gallons of juice...

So I had to pick early as leaf hoppers were whacking my leaves. This is my first harvest and first try at wine making. I kinda jump in with both feet. Ended up with brixs of 19. Had 85 or so lbs and destemed, crushed and added Camden tabs. Pressed after 14-16 hours added sugar to 23 brixs...

So this is my third leafing and first crop. I did get a portable heater/air conditioner for my shop to help control the temps. Cutting the vent to the outside was a pain in you know what. I still need to get a shade for the window. Now I am waiting on the grapes to ripen up. I have been...

So I need to test for TA and pH soon. Grapes are coming into their own since this is my third leafing. I will be harvesting and crushing in a week or two. The brixs are at about 14.5 Viognier and 16.2. Cab S. Now I need to start tracking pH and TA don't have a ton of money one hundred to two...

The Viognier vines are happy clusters are growing well. I hope this continues all the way through the fall. I can't believe how much change in one year

So my wife has some very sharp pruners and I do not know what kind of metal they are made of but it must be hard as kryptonite. When I was cluster thinning and thinning some of the Spurs, I noticed a big end that needed to be cut off one of my vines. In doing so I managed to cut the end and the...

One of my fav memories from two years ago today. It sure was heart warming to see your father so patient and kind teaching your son the same work ethic he taught you. The two of them worked well together and every time my son asked can I do that? Grandpa said sure and took the time to show...

Hello all I am not that computer savvy. From an iPad how do I post multiple pics in the same post instead of annoying you all with only one pic per post :?

So my peary may be a bust as it is a little off for my wife's taste but may be better with age. I think the temp was too high in my shop during primary fermentation. Sine I usually learn things the hard way I thought I try another cider, this time Apple. Ya know practice make perfect or a least...