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  1. David Engel

    First Check of Last Year's Wine

    Hi All, Well 3 months has gone by since the 1st rack of my Merlot. When the 1st rack was done I had 2 gallons of free run juice and 2 1/4 gallons of pressed juice. The ph at the time of racking was a dismal 2.99 (this is merlot and should be up near touching 4) and the taste was tart. Well...
  2. David Engel

    2024, What are your plans?

    Not sure about the grafted part, but they come from a nursery local and are certified. They are very successful here in western Washington. A professor from a WSU extension service locally turned us on to them after hearing about my Merlot growing woes. I live in Stanwood, WA.
  3. David Engel

    2024, What are your plans?

    Hi All, Remember now, I am a 2 year old novice. This year will be a "training year for my new Pino Noir Precoce vines. I left some Merlot vines in the ground, I'll nurture them again this year. And within the next couple months, get brave and start working with the 4 gallons of Merlot I have...
  4. David Engel

    Merry Christmas!

    Thanks Crush, indeed He is the reason for the season! Merry Christmas to all!
  5. David Engel

    Barrel left unattended 2.5yrs

    Sorry to hear of your family woes, been there done that, you will recover. Cant wait to here about your taste test.
  6. David Engel

    Wine in a barrel

    Im a newbie but everything I’ve ever read would support the wine would spoil with all that increased air headspace. And perhaps the more surface of wine exposed to air would speed up the spoilage process?
  7. David Engel

    1st Racking

    Good Afternoon All, Racking this morning went well. I started with 3 gallons of free run and had 1 and 3/4 gallons of press juice. I managed to retain 2 gallons of free run and have 2 1/4 gallons of juice after I had to mix the rest of the free run with press juice. I was not overly concerned...
  8. David Engel

    Starting a new vineyard

    If yours is a "hobby" vineyard... I guess my 10- 12 backyard vines would be called a tiny, tiny hobby vineyard? :) Looks good, real good!
  9. David Engel

    1st Racking

    Good Evening All, What a difference a day makes! Below is a picture I just took. I think I’m going to rack tomorrow. Since I already know I will have to make adjustments later on, I can rack in a few months if I think I need to, don‘t think I will have to though as my brix was a -1 when I pressed.
  10. David Engel

    1st Racking

    Hi All, Question for those who know. I read (everywhere, that the 1st rack is done 1-2 days after the crush (red grapes)). I enclosed a picture of my carboys and you can distinctly see the separation of color, and the gross lees on the bottom. All the research Im seeing says rack once and then...
  11. David Engel

    Primary Fermentation

    Hi All, WOW, what a first ever "press day". I'm glad I bought some extra 1 gallon carboys... (should have had a couple 3 gallon carboys, but had no concept of juice quantity from grape quantity and weight of said grapes). Ended up with 3 gallons of free run, and 1 3/4 gallons of press juice...
  12. David Engel

    Vineyard got a face lift

    Hey Jusatele, I‘m 45 minutes north of Seattle. I had just those plans in mind for early fall rains AND late spring frosts. Cannot wait to see what may be in 3 years. Meanwhile, I will continue to nurture the Merlot vines along, the more mature they are the stronger they are. Next year I will...
  13. David Engel

    Vineyard got a face lift

    Since I’m keeping a few Merlot vines I may try that next year if we get the early fall rains again . Good thought. 👍
  14. David Engel

    Vineyard got a face lift

    Hi All, Well this past week, I learned that Merlot is not the grape to be growing in Western Washington where I live as the season is too short and it doesn't get warm enough long enough. Typically Merlot needs at least 3 more weeks of good warm temperatures with our rain. But I also learned...
  15. David Engel

    Primary Fermentation

    Hi All, Might as well stay on this thread. Fermentation is close to done, SG of 0. However for reasons I know the answers to, the ph is 2.7 and the taste is sour, not vinegar, just pretty sour. Color is also pretty pale for trying to be Merlot (again I know why). Is there any chance of even...
  16. David Engel

    Primary Fermentation

    Thanks guys, you just helped my blood pressure down. :)
  17. David Engel

    Primary Fermentation

    I was afraid you'd say that. As of this moment, my press won't be here until Thursday. If primary gets absolutely done before the press and carboys get here, I might try the saran wrap trick on top of the must... (extended macerations)?
  18. David Engel

    Primary Fermentation

    Good Morning Everyone, At noon today, primary fermentation will have been going on for only 3 days. Yesterday I took a SG reading when I was punching the cap. The must started at 82 and was at 30. Does that seem a little fast? I was careful to measure the yeast properly; 1g per gallon of Red...
  19. David Engel

    Removing Vines

    Thanks Snaff, Hazel, Cannot get any machinery to it, so it‘s all by hand. I’ll just get as deep as I can before cutting them.
  20. David Engel

    My First real Chance

    Hi All, I suppose I can close out this thread with a report. This report does take into account my rookie mistakes. 😳 I ended up with about 100 clusters that weighed in at about 55 pounds and produced about 6 gallons of must which should turn into roughly 3.9 gallons of juice if all goes well...
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