Smart Winemaking

03/20/2023

By now, malolactic fermentation should be finished on your 2022 wines! But how can you know for sure?!

For more winemaking content, swing by my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/makewineIn this video, I am testing to determine if malolactic fermentation (M...

05/28/2022

If you have the latest issue of Winemaker Magazine, check out my article on hyper-oxidation! https://winemakermag.com/technique/hyperoxidation

07/30/2021

Vineyard update. Grapes are looking great and about a week ahead of last year. The up close picture is Traminette. Marquette was the first to veraison (turning purple) at about a week and a half ago. Blaufrankisch and Noiret are just turning. Cab Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon should be at veraison the next week or so. Riesling looks great as compared to last year when I had some black rot issues. The main change was more airflow to the fruit zone (more leaf removal). The vines appear able to handle a pretty heavy fruit load based on the vigor but we'll see. Have had to hedge twice already and will fully utilize the split canopy, Smart Dyson wires next year to spread out the growth better. Location: SW Pennsylvania.

06/04/2021

Roses in bloom in the little test vineyard!

11/28/2020

It's a good day to hill up your grafted vines if you live in an area with relatively cold winter extremes.

10/26/2020

New on The Home Winemaking Channel, tonight! Get a handle on the rate of fermentation and make better wine.

Support on Patreon and Access to Bonus Content: https://www.patreon.com/makewine Stop by my website: https://www.smartwinemaking.com/ Stuff Mentioned in this...

09/18/2020

A batch of old vine zinfandel going through the crusher destemmer. On to a cold soak.

09/15/2020

Small white grape harvest on the backyard vineyard this morning. Some traminette and mystery white grape sold to me as merlot... More to come!

09/04/2020

Harvest is near! Get your Punch Buddy punch down tool before they are gone. https://www.smartwinemaking.com/shop

08/29/2020

Vineyard guardian with a fresh catch

08/28/2020

Cabernet Sauvignon looking good in the little backyard vineyard.

08/05/2020

Fruit zone netting install in minutes. Super quick way to protect against birds as your grapes are turning purple.

As a grape vineyard enters veraison, protection from bird damage becomes extremely important. This is especially important on smaller vineyards where there a...