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Seems like my Marquette doesnt want to get past 20. Am I ok to harvest? A few grapes are getting dry? Itasca is at 22. Is that ready?

I'm considering combining my Marquette and Petite Pearl this harvest and making a Rose' with some possibly sparkling. Has anyone done this with these varietals? Any recommendations on yeast and soak times? I was thinking a 12 hour skin contact before pressing.

This is my 1st year of being able to harvest grapes, and I noticed dark spots on the grapes today. Im assuming its a fungus. I have been regularly spraying with Rally, and just recently switched to Captan. Is there anything I can do to save this years crop of Marquette and Petite Pearl?

I haven't bottled wine in a few years. The last time I did bottle, I used the AIO pump and it worked great. Unfortunately, I don't have that pump anymore. I do have a Blichman Wine Easy set up with its own vacuum pump. Does anyone know of a way that I can use that pump to fill bottles?

I have Marquette, Petite Pearl, and Itasca in their 3rd year. The cordons are starting to reach the neighboring vines, and are getting close to the center of the neighboring vines. At what point do I pinch off the leading end of the cordons?

I recently pressed a 75/25 blend of Cab Sauv/Merlot and racked off gross lees yesterday. Currently, pH-3.9, TA-7.6. Prior to fermentation, pH-4.4, TA-6. pH still seems high to me. Should I add more tartaric acid before I start MLF? Is there a limit to the amount of tartaric acid you can add?

I'm relatively new to the game, but have used frozen must from Brehm before. It turned out good. I was informed by them that they deliver fresh grapes not too far from where I live. I'm trying to decide if its worth it to make the jump from frozen to fresh for Cab Sauv. Price comparison...

I have made a few batches of Cab from frozen grape must through Brehm. I want to try their frozen Chard juice. My question relates to primary fermentation. With the Cab, I fermented in a Brute garbage can and did not worry about oxygen since Co2 was being released. I thought I could do the...

I lost everything to a house fire last year. I have house rebuilt, and now its time to buy fun stuff like wine equipment. Does anyone have experience with this unit? Prior to the fire, I was using a Brute trash can, glass carboys, old school press, and an all in one wine pump. I have only...

Im in my 3rd of year of a small vineyard of Petite Pearl, Itasca, Marquette. I live in northern illinois, and we had a late frost along with cool and damp spring. Thus far, I have a few watersprouts showing life, but nothing along the rest of my vines. Is there still hope?

I'm in the process of building a new house. I keep hinging between open rack storage with a few wine fridges for our best bottles vs a full on cellar. The idea of a devoted cellar sounds great, but its also a lot more expensive than wine fridges. I can buy 2 fridges for a couple thousand...

My 2 year old vines are struggling. Can anyone id the problem? Should I treat it or let it go until next year? I live in northern Illinois, so we should get a frost in 4-6 weeks

My poor vines have had a tough year. Due to a house fire, I have not been giving them a lot of attention. The deer mowed most of them down early this spring. I now have grow tubes installed and most of the vines have 2 trunks developing. About 1/3 of the 50 vines have reached the top wire on...

I need to install trellis wires on the posts that I set last year for TWC. I have 4 rows that are approximately 50' long. I've read a lot of posts, and a few grape growing books on the subject, but I don't have any experience with it. Can I simplify the wire install since my rows are short...

I'm on my 2nd year for Marquette, Petite Pearl, and Ithaca. Everything grew well thanks to all the advice on this site. I live in Northern Illinois, and am wondering if its time to start pruning?? During the 1st year, I tied the vines to a stake and kept them in grow tubes until August. At...

Thanks to this site, I'm embarking on my first wine making from Brehm frozen must. I'm picking up 3 pails of cab sauv and 1 pail of cab franc. I'm going to ferment all 4 pails together in a Brute trash can. I have a new press ordered, and I'm excited!! I still need to order yeast and...

Im ready to make my first batch of wine from frozen must. Brehm has 2013 cab sauv, which I know was a great year in California from the drought. Im hesitant because its been in the freezer since 2013. ... I wouldnt eat anything from my freezer from 2013. Do you think it will still be good...

My new grapes have arrived and Im ready to get them planted. I have a mix of Marquette, Petite Pearl, and Itasca. Im designing my trellis and want to put it in when I plant the vines so I dont tear it up later. I am planning on spacing the vines 8' apart with rows 10' apart. Is this...

Ive got the wine making bug bad. I'm very new at this, but want to try something to compliment the kits. I'm debating between frozen must or juice with fresh grapes. Does one way produce a better result for reds? I realize that I can utilize frozen must all year, but am limited to when I can...

Im planning on planting both red and white grapes this year. I finally got my hands on a Marquette wine (which is difficult in Illinois). Im glad I bought this wine before I bought the vines because I didnt like it. Its possible that the winery just isnt good at Marquette wine. I also dont...