Update

Hello, here's a quick update. We have relocated to Hilltown, PA. We have now 5 acres and will be planting the front vineyard in Spring 2020. We're very excited and have some new types of grapes we hope to share with you in the future. Our target date for opening in 2025. I know it seems very far away but it'll be here before you know it! Check back with us and I hope we have more exciting news.

Maquette Has Been Picked!

We decided to pick the Marquette. The decision was made for a couple of reason. First, the birds have been really bad this year. We didn't put up bird netting in time for numerous reasons. Unfortunately a tough lesson was learned. We lost probably 50% of the grapes to bird pressure so we decided to pick and cut our losses even thou they weren't really ready yet. The sugar content was in the 19 to 21 percent range and the acid level was sky high. My parents were in town to help and the green light was given. 

Having the extra help was great. It only took us about two hours and boy was it hot out. The highs for Monday were around 95 and super humid. We were ready to be done. 

All in all we collected only 30 lbs. this was very surprising and disappointing. I expected far more but another lesson learned. Forecasting and estimating yields will be a tricky thing to get a handle on. The crush went well although it was very quick. My crusher/destemmer was a lot more powerful than I though it would be and went through the Marqette with ease. 

Grapes in one end and stems come out the other, I love this machine. Although It did let more stems through than I hoped. Not a big deal. 

Dylan was a big help and wanted to be involved in every part. 

The analysis of the wine was fun. I have a long way to go on finding the best way to take samples and run all the tests. The sugar and acit levels were not good. First the sugar was a little low and the acid way too high. I added sugar to a corrected level of 23 percent sugar. I hope the acid falls after the primary and secondary fermentations. SO2 was added and the must was left to rest overnight. Enzymes were added in the morning and given a few hours to break down the skins. On Tuesday we added the yeast.  Had thought I check my order of wine supplies but didn't catch that I was sent the wrong yeast. I had no choice but to use the BA11 yeast I was sent. Now this yeast is meant for white wines. Should be an interesting wine! I used a yeast starter and hydrated it to manufacturer specs. The next morning we had bubbles! 

The ferment is well under way and it smells great. 

Updates soon....

Pinot!

Picking Marquette and Rain is on the way

Good Morning everyone. Thinking about picking Marquette soon. Tested some grapes yesterday day and were in the 19% - 22% Brix range. Haven't tested the TA or total acidity yet but will try this weekend. Bird netting was not put up this year due to budget constraints and unfortunately there is heavy bird pressure this year. The decision to harvest early to save as much fruit as possible will made on Sunday. We're very excited about the Marqette this year as I have tasted the juice and it's very sweet and grapes have excellent color. The seeds are brown and taste nutty. 

Rain is forcasted for the next week or so. This is not the best news. My fear is a lot of rain will cause berry cracking and lower Brix amounts. So we will cross our fingers and hope for dry weather :)

My First Blog Post

My first blog post! How exciting. This blog will hopefully allow you to follow along with our news and progress. I will try and update as regularly I can. Right now we have partnered with Vin65 and they will be hosting our website and eventually provide the point of sale and ability to buy online. I have just begun to work on the site so expect many changes. Enjoy!