Crush 2023

The 2023 Pick/Crush ran late, due to a cold wet spring.  I am also going to do what I said above, be more thoughtfull of how much and what I make this year.  It will be a red year, and am considering zin and merlot in particular.  But it will probably be mid September before I proceed.

26 September 2023

2023 was a cool spring and summer so pick was late.

Went to Delta Packing on 25 September and got 6 pails (6 gallons each) of Lodi Zinfandel.  Price was $44 per pail, whihc is better than most good kits.  Handling these similar to kits.  Juice had great color and aroma, so hoping for a good year.  Plan to bottle around 8 or 9 cases.  The rest (3 pails will go to brandy.

All 6 had very similar readings of 3.55 pH and a measured SpGr of 1.102, but was still cold from being stored at 32 ^oF so adjusted to SpGr of 1.1015 and a Brix of 25.2.  This should give a final ABV of 14%.

While just juice color was good and aroma also. Next picture shows must after adding additives (MoreWine BF990).

Pitched the yeast the next morning (26 September).

So far have added.  More Wine frozen red grape additive pack BF990

• TAN220 — Tannin FT Rouge (10g)
• AD343 — Go-Ferm Protect (10 g)
• AD351 — Lallzyme EX (0.8 g)
• AD355 — Opti-Red - (8 g)

Yeast used
• DYW70 — Dry Wine Yeast - Syrah - (13g)

28 September

Added the • AD345 — Fermaid K (8 g)

SpGr was 1.04 and fermentation was going strong.

1 October

Definetly getting there.

Specifc Gravity  1.00,  pH  3.5, TA (total acid) 9, SO2 50 ppm.  Should be through fermentation soon!

6 October

Specif Gravity is at 0.998 giving an approximate 14% ABV (alcohol by volume). 

At this point I have about 36 gallons of wine.  Way more than I need, so will turn at least half into brandy.

9 October

Have racked 3 pails to carboys for settling and agingin.  Added oak to each.

Distilled the other 3 pails to about 4 gallons of brandy (1st ruun only, will do at least another run or 2 stages of distillation).

10 November

Wine in long term aging, 3 carboys, 5 gallons each

30 May

Bottled 6 cases of wine.  Need to let it sit for a while due to bottle shock.

 

 

 

Or my excursion into winemaking

If you have any questions or would like more information please contact me at:: info@smartdogwinery.com