Aug-Sep 2017
Topping Up Your Wine
What does “topping up” mean and when should it be done?
Wine Press Mold Growth and Magnesium Sulfate Vineyard Sprays
It’s very possible this mold bloom was caused by a change in the weather or a change in your cellar environment.
Sugar and Acid Wine Adjustments
We’d all love to make wine from the perfect grapes picked with ideal sugars, acidity, and pH. Unfortunately, often due to reasons beyond our control, that is not always how grapes arrive at the home winery. In that case, the winemaker has a number of decisions that must be made.
Your Best Crush and Press
You can never be too prepared in your winery when the grapes come in from harvest. Follow our guidelines for crush and press success.
Ruby Cabernet
When I started graduate school at UC-Davis in 1995, one of my first classes was a seminar series. Being the first session of the academic year, a round of introductions started the
Wine Press Mold Growth
Ah, yes, the joys of wood. We use wood in the winery for barrels and barrel-alternatives of course but, especially for the small-scale winemaker, wooden presses are still often part of our
Cold-Climate Grape Growing: Tips from the Pros
Even the most ideal climates for growing grapes face certain hardships, but growing vines in colder climates definitely have more than their share. Get tips on what to grow and what precautions
Magnesium Sulfate Vineyard Sprays
Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO4), AKA Epsom salts, is a very common vineyard amendment. It can be applied as a foliar spray during the growing season to provide vines with magnesium and sulfur. Magnesium,
Homemade Wine Press
A reader shares plans for his homemade wine press.
How Wine Yeast Works
In addition to alcoholic fermentation, the yeast used to ferment wine also metabolize other substances into byproducts. Learn more about how wine yeast works.