Happy Days

[lockwood1956]

Visit today to London winegrape importer David Howgego was wonderful....




met lots of lovely winemakers (as well as David himself) had a blast...a very tiring but fun packed day.

here are some photos of David's place

[lockwood1956]

oh...and one of the happy customers the giant fridge, grapes on pallettes, corks and presses.

[jojo]

Beautywood!

[Hippie]

Wow! I am impressed. What kind of cool little car is that the pretty brunette is putting grapes into? Mini-Cooper?

[lockwood1956]

Sorry Glenvall......didn't pay much attention to the car

[lockwood1956]

Just Kidding


it's a Fiat Multipla


Real nice couple...chatted for a while

you can just see huuby at the nearside (oops sorry offside over there ) of the car

[jojo]

this thread makes me sweat

[P cuthbert]

What on earth does David need all those presses for? Does he shanghai some help at pressing time so that he can get those olive barrels filled in a hurry?

[lockwood1956]

He has the presses and stuff for sale to his customers for cost + a little for delivery, All imported from Italy.

Chatting to some of the guys and gals there picking grapes up about winemaking techniques......


Some of them don't even de-stem or crush


Pre picking grapes up:
Rinse fermenting gear


After picking grapes up:
Get grapes home
crush grapes (no destemming..some don't crush)
put into primary
put blanket over the top
leave it be


They all claim to be making decent wine

makes you think eh?


maybe I'm just a bit anal about sanitising/testing/everything

however I like the messing around with stuff.

[lockwood1956]

Having tasted the merlot last night (cheers David) I am planning this years winegrape expedition allready.

[lockwood1956]

Not long to go now boys and girls


time to start thinking about your order........

If anyone wants to they can come to my house where we will crush/destem (and press the whites) clean up and firew up the BBQ, bring a tent and a sleeping bag, we can eat drink and be merry, take your buckets of grapes/juice home the next day (or that evening if you didn't drink)


book early to avoid dissapointment.

I think winemaking from grapes is just the biggest BUZZ!

[13%ABV]

Not long to go now boys and girls


time to start thinking about your order........

If anyone wants to they can come to my house where we will crush/destem (and press the whites) clean up and firew up the BBQ, bring a tent and a sleeping bag, we can eat drink and be merry, take your buckets of grapes/juice home the next day (or that evening if you didn't drink)


book early to avoid dissapointment.

I think winemaking from grapes is just the biggest BUZZ!

Hi Bob
How do I get hold some of these grapes, I'm interested. I'd like to help crush/destem them too if that's OK, need the experience, in fact the whole thing sounds great. Can pick up some bottles now if that's ok, lets arrange something.

Thanks Mark

[lockwood1956]

Getting the grapes is easy, you just tell me how many you want before I go get them

60 bottles are still in the boot of my car, pick them up sometime this week if you like. I'm off work tomorrow (monday) if thats any good to you, or tomorrow night.

And you can certainly help at crush/destem time, not a problem, the more the merrier, bring a sleeping bag!

[13%ABV]

I'd like enough grapes to make a 5 gallon batch. I can come to pick bottles up any time tomorrow (tuesday) it's my day off, where do I come to ? can you e-mail me with info or phone number if thats possible ?
Just got my sleeping bag out from under bed. I can't wait

Mark

[lockwood1956]

It was lovely to meet you this evening Mark, we will get time for a longer chat next time as I won't be dashing out.

regards
Bob