Fermentation Slowing

Some of the fermentation is already slowing (crikey!) and time to protect. Not sure on pressing date right now but soon, certainly by weekend. Stefan (my son) has introduced a video of pushing down the cap - soon to be added. Robin (my wife) thinks she can help in postproduction to make it as engaging as possible (not just footage of a disembodied hand mixing grapes).

Windy last night, filled the garage with leaves, pain in my a**. Jesse (#2 son) said he heard a cracking sound late at night followed by a crashing sound of a tree . Have to walk the property to find out what fell. Or maybe not.

Redwood tree outside still standing (neighbors want it down) - Robin caught our neighbour complaining to Tom Siebel who maybe owns it?!! Doesn't she know he just got trampled by an elephant. Best to let him rest.

Weather Cooler

Will help keep the fermentation pace a tad slower. A few fruit flies but not many.

Tried to follow-up on sales to Bakery, no luck yet. Back tomorrow. Did go by Sam's at Half Moon Bay at weekend, will have to follow-up when Wine Manager is there. Seems like a good pairing with seafood. Bartender was very friendly to us :) gave her a bottle to plant the seeds...she said the wine was delicious!

The Show Goes On...

Punching down that is, the cap. Slower bins with colder grapes moving along now also. Got help from the "magnificent" Mrs after making a fresh pasta dinner - punching down seemed to be thing to do!!

Cleaned up remaining crush equipment and watered the vineyards (all four) for a few hours. Watering the olives also, looks like will be a banner year.

Onward Toward Wine

Added a small amount of yeast today to give the must a jump start. One of the fermentation six Bins is a tad full hope we don't get a tidal wave if it takes off. Already smells great better than a bakery! Weather is cool and foggy in the am so should keep things moving slowly.

Off to make more sales today at local restaurants! Spoke to the trouble and strife about doing this full time, who knows?

Harvest 09/23/2009

Just completed the harvest of our Pinot Vineyard. Great year, BRIX amd Ph levels excellent, a well balanced must. Fought with vineyard foreman to set a date, told me if not Wednesday then I need to find somebody else to harvest! Just as well we did it then. He's from El Salvador - maybe they like their alcohol levels lower, go figure. Put in the yeast today and away we go!!
Must remember to water the vineyard, guess I kind of stressed it the last few weeks. Production is double from last year - better get at those sales.