What's going on in your winery today..

[goldseal]

All very shiny

Me, the realisation that GF is only a month away has just hit. Not home much between now and then, all by carboys are full, no yeast in the fridge, no oak in the cupboard, no ML culture ordered, no plan .....

[DaveH]

All very shiny

Me, the realisation that GF is only a month away has just hit. Not home much between now and then, all by carboys are full, no yeast in the fridge, no oak in the cupboard, no ML culture ordered, no plan .....

Sounds like you need to hire...................'The A Team'

*ducks*

[goldseal]

I'd be better off with ducks!

[NorthernWiner]

10 gallons of Yakima Valley Riesling on the go! In the US, most regions on the west coast are having a very early harvest this year.

I expect we'll be getting black grapes in the next three weeks. I ordered 300 lbs (136 kg) of Sonoma Pinot Noir last week. I still need to find something to fill two other barrels. I'm thinking Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon if I can get it for a decent price (since I put the majority of my budget into the Pinot).

[Cellar_Rat]

Just cleaned out two tanks - might do an early ferment and a later one, this year..

[Delmonteman]

Spent the afternoon getting 7 wines ready for this years local wine competition which happens tomorrow. Hoping to better last years two thirds, one second and a first from 6 entries. This year I am entering my very young black cherry port in the sweet wine category to make it 7 entries.

how'd you get on rob?

[robwrx]

Thanks for asking, I'm currently celebrating having won this chuffing hell!

I did better than last year and took one 3rd, three 2nd and two 1st plus the trophy for best in show. I came 2nd overall on points out of 15 entrants to a chap called Frith. He confessed that he has been making wines for over 20 years having owned a vinyard in South Africa. His daughter is the current owner of Dunstone Winery in South Africa.

We had a serious tasting session after the show finished and got chatting about making wine from fresh grapes. All his wines were made from local fruit, flowers and a couple of vines he has in his garden and were very well balanced. I am already planning how I can beat him next year but for now I am chuffed to bits with the trophy for best in show.

[NorthernWiner]

I did better than last year and took one 3rd, three 2nd and two 1st plus the trophy for best in show. I came 2nd overall on points...

Congratulations, Rob! That's a very nice achievement!

One thing I've mentioned to Bob and Goldseal is that you folks on that side of the pond really know how to do a proper trophy. Here in the US all we win in most competitions are colored ribbons or medals. When I came over in 2010, I won 2 classes and Best in Show at the Pontefract show. What I wasn't told is that I should have brought an additional suitcase to carry the bling back home. Here in the states I can usually shove any winnings into a trouser pocket.

[ToulouseLePlot]

Crikey Rob, well done. That's impressive.

Get Mr Dunstone in here too - get his experience in the knowledgebase!

Many congrats!

[robwrx]

Thanks guys

I did mention wines at home to Robert Frith, I will see what I can do.

[lockwood1956]

Heartiest congratulations Rob

(is there any left?)

[robwrx]

Thanks Bob. No not much. Last year I just topped up most of the bottles and recorked them but no chance of that this year. I will bring plenty to Grapefest though. Be good to get another opinion or two from you guys.

[Cellar_Rat]

I think someone is going to need a Cabinet soon - and I don't mean Cabernet

Well done indeed.

[robwrx]

Cheers Brian. Unfortunately I can only keep the trophy for the year and then I have to give it back.

[Delmonteman]

Thanks for asking, I'm currently celebrating having won this chuffing hell!

I did better than last year and took one 3rd, three 2nd and two 1st plus the trophy for best in show. I came 2nd overall on points out of 15 entrants to a chap called Frith. He confessed that he has been making wines for over 20 years having owned a vinyard in South Africa. His daughter is the current owner of Dunstone Winery in South Africa.

We had a serious tasting session after the show finished and got chatting about making wine from fresh grapes. All his wines were made from local fruit, flowers and a couple of vines he has in his garden and were very well balanced. I am already planning how I can beat him next year but for now I am chuffed to bits with the trophy for best in show.

Cool trophy! Well done. Our local show is running a wine class this year after I suggested it last year. Anything not from a commercial kit is the name of the class. I'm liking forward to it. Congrats again!