For 2018 -  we ordered some new grape plants for spring planting.  Extra Marquis White Seedless for a few more rows and some Suffolk Red to replace missing vines.  We are trying to keep vines in the vineyard that are not as attractive to birds. Bird damage is a big problem with growing table grapes.  Click here for bird damage info...

 

Winemaking Activities:  I made some Seyval Blanc, Vignoles white and St.Pepin white last fall.  About 5-10 gal each.  Then near the close of the season I made a mix of NY Muscat and Foch - with lots of sugar for a higher alcohol sweet wine.   We tend to use whatever is left at the end of the season for our own winemaking.

I am in the process of racking the wines mentioned above. 

 

I am going to sweeten the St. Pepin and get 5 gallons ready to bottle.  I will first rack them and add sulfite, then take one of the 5 gallons and sweeten it. This is where I would normally add Potassium Sorbate to hopefully retard fermentation.  This year I purchase a new wine filter (about $100 + filter pads).  I can filter out the yeast cells to prevent re-fermentation.

 

Have any of you used winefilters before, this is my first use of them.  Drop us a line..

 

filter

 

 

 

Below are some interesting articles from EC Kraus Blog: