Have had plenty of time to do some reading...finally got to the book 'From Vines to Wines' by Jeff Cox.....good reading.
Quote.....On Stomping Grapes.....
They can be mashed to a pulp with feet, hands, or a pestle of some nonporous material like stainless steel, porcelin or plastic. Wood can be used if it is coated with paraffin to fill the pores. With any such pestle cleanliness is important.
Personally, I think feet do the best job. My wife, Marilyn, scrubs her legs and feet untill they are squeeky clean. Then from the shower, making sure all soapy water is rinsed off her feet, into clean socks. These she strips off one by one as she steps into the vat of grapes. Given the size of our vats, the juice and pulp reach above her knees, and she treads in place until the grapes have been crushed and all are off the stems. The sight of her thighs drippiing with grape juice never fails to quicken my pulse. This is not a bad time to put on your Bo Diddley records, and pass around some wine that's good for gulping.
Treading about 150 pounds of grapes in a 30 gallon vat of some kiind shouldn't take more than 10 minutes....Make the most of them.End quote...
So....I guess if she hasn't done so yet....Joan better stomp those grapes...you go girl!!!!
Edited by: Northern Winos