MoreBeer/MoreWine has opened a new (free) online service... putting you the winemaker in contact with numerous grape growers. What's it called, you ask, what else... MoreGrapes.
Cheers,
Wrathwilde
Cheers,
Wrathwilde
Feel like pressing some Grapes?
- Thread starter WRATHWILDE
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Good link to some grape growers there at B3.
Be aware that California is well into the crush so what is advertised is subject to availability. Also, if you live out of state, getting fresh grapes shipped to you is a dicey affair at best. Most of these guys are looking for a minimum of a ton purchase at a time so be aware. There are others who sell to small home winemakers like you and I as well. Again, the challenge is getting the grapes to you.
Most of these guys don't ship, don't freeze and don't provide juice, but some do. You might consider a vendor like Brehm Vineyards who will sell both frozen grapes and frozen juice, and does ship. They aren't cheap, but they do sell good product.
I've found the grapes and bulk wine section of WineBusiness.com to be a good resource as well.
Cheers,
Oskaar
Be aware that California is well into the crush so what is advertised is subject to availability. Also, if you live out of state, getting fresh grapes shipped to you is a dicey affair at best. Most of these guys are looking for a minimum of a ton purchase at a time so be aware. There are others who sell to small home winemakers like you and I as well. Again, the challenge is getting the grapes to you.
Most of these guys don't ship, don't freeze and don't provide juice, but some do. You might consider a vendor like Brehm Vineyards who will sell both frozen grapes and frozen juice, and does ship. They aren't cheap, but they do sell good product.
I've found the grapes and bulk wine section of WineBusiness.com to be a good resource as well.
Cheers,
Oskaar
Brehm Vineyards is indeed a good source of high quality grapes. But make sure you get a quote before ordering, shipping is expensive. I got a bucket of Merlot and Reisling last year when I missed the picking season. It was just a bit over $300 for 2 buckets plus shipping. Even more if you get a really high quality grape. If you have a local hobby wine shop or club, see if they are ordering and get your shipping added to theirs if you can.
This year I picked my own, but boy, I'll tell you: After 3 hours picking, then almost a whole day hand processing the grapes, I'm tempted to buy from Brehm Vineyards again. The local club had a group day where they processed on site after you pick, but I wanted a different grape. Plus on site means they don't wash the grapes first... I know all the bugs and stuff don't really affect the final product, but it still grosses me out.
This year I picked my own, but boy, I'll tell you: After 3 hours picking, then almost a whole day hand processing the grapes, I'm tempted to buy from Brehm Vineyards again. The local club had a group day where they processed on site after you pick, but I wanted a different grape. Plus on site means they don't wash the grapes first... I know all the bugs and stuff don't really affect the final product, but it still grosses me out.
LOL,
You nailed the picking experience pretty well dead on! I have a hooked knife that I've been using for years, but picking is still a pain in the ass, and your hands are trashed afterwards. I've been doing group buys for a long time now so it's much easier on the body!
You're right about the pricing from Brehm, but the quality is high. If you're in the general area of their pickup on premesis depots you can save some money by driving there and picking them up yourself.
What did you pick this year? I'm keeping my eyes peeled for some Sangiovese juice and some Primitivo juice as well to make my table blend.
Cheers,
Oskaar
You nailed the picking experience pretty well dead on! I have a hooked knife that I've been using for years, but picking is still a pain in the ass, and your hands are trashed afterwards. I've been doing group buys for a long time now so it's much easier on the body!
You're right about the pricing from Brehm, but the quality is high. If you're in the general area of their pickup on premesis depots you can save some money by driving there and picking them up yourself.
What did you pick this year? I'm keeping my eyes peeled for some Sangiovese juice and some Primitivo juice as well to make my table blend.
Cheers,
Oskaar
I joined a co-op purchase of grapes straight from the vineyard and unwashed: a modest 50 kg. of Merlot, which I'm pressing today, and another 50 of Cab. Sauvignon (to be collected this week). They are trucked into the patio of the purchaser and crushed there; we amateurs bring our fermenters and take home the grapes. For some reason the unwashed state of the grapes doesn't bother me. I had a whole argument with the taxi driver who brought me home: he said that his father brought a tradition of winemaking from his Morroccan village and that they, by golly, hosed the grapes down. They didn't use cultured yeast, nor sulfite...wonder how much of their stuff went to vinegar. The wine was what you might call early drinking wine, ready about 2 months after pressing. Yick.
Miriam
Miriam
Oskaar said:
200+ pounds of Sirah. Filled the bathtub to wash it all. I was going to split it and make a pyment and wine, but at the last minute went with all pyment, which my wife prefers. It all fit into 4 buckets after processing, and now after 5 days of fermenting and removing skins I have about 16 gallons of nice deep purple goodness.
Cool dude!
Syrah is one of my favorites. The Rhone Rangers are really bringing Syrah into the forefront here in California, which is great since there are so many fans of the Syrah (Shiraz) from Australia.
Sounds great!!
Oskaar
Syrah is one of my favorites. The Rhone Rangers are really bringing Syrah into the forefront here in California, which is great since there are so many fans of the Syrah (Shiraz) from Australia.
Sounds great!!
Oskaar
