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It was a beautiful day! The sun was shining, the birds were singing, fluffy white clouds passed high overhead. And in my wee cement room, we had an interesting situation. The wine in the barrel had completed malolactic fermentation. It was ready to rack. The 15 gallons in the carboys however, halted MLF at [...]
Author Archives: James
February 20 Rack
February 23, 2008 – 9:10 am
Oct 9
October 9, 2007 – 8:24 pm
Morning: Ambient Temp: 58°, Must Temp: 82°. Looked good. I am concerned it may be too cold in here. Did punchdowns at 7am, 3 pm and 830 pm. By evening, the must temp has dropped to 74-76°, the must is not as hard, the foaming has decreased. I am concerned the fermentation is slowing. Will [...]
Oct 8
October 8, 2007 – 8:32 pm
Ambient Temp: 56°. Must Temp: 76°. Heavy fruit and ferment scents. I detect an underlying sulfur smell, so will punch down frequently today to maximize aeration. I opened my bedroom door this morning and was hit by the fermenting grape smell. Walking across the living room made me lightheaded. Clearly, this cute little pet of [...]
Oct 7
October 7, 2007 – 8:31 pm
Ambient temperature: 66°. Must temperature: 66-68°. The appearance has changed dramatically. This morning, instead of watery, soupy must, there is now a firm crust of drier looking berries and skins on the top. Punch down makes a pleasant whoosh-ing sound as I push through this must and the same pleasant fruity yeast smell grows stronger [...]
Oct 6
October 6, 2007 – 8:30 pm
Ambient temperature: 60°. Must temperature: 58°. Must still looks watery, easy to mix around, smells lightly of yeast. Did three punch downs today, slight foaming noted, rich purple coloring.
Oct 5
October 5, 2007 – 8:29 pm
Ambient temperature is 52°, it is a crisp and cool Fall day. I am concerned with a smooth fermentation in such cool temperatures, (it will frost tonight – not good). So we moved the must inside to our living room. Our house stays around 60-68°, still not the ideal 85°, but better than outside.
Innoculated with [...]
Oct 3rd
October 3, 2007 – 7:10 pm
The vineyard belongs to my father-in-law, Miles Turner. He has given me 1/2 ton this year to play with. Thanks Miles! Our summer has been a cool one, with bursts of the normal 100+° heat heat, so harvest is a bit later than I remember. But today the brix are at 26°, so it is [...]
Spaghetti Fundraiser Lunch
September 17, 2007 – 4:32 am
You are cordially invited to join us for a fund raiser to raise funds to purchase signage for the Campaign to Elect Mireya “Rae” Turner for Kelseyville School Board.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
12 noon to 2 p.m.
Kelseyville Lions Club
4335 Sylar Lane
Kelseyville, CA 95451
Download a flier for this event. Click here!
