Writer: Pat Henderson

Barrel aging typically begins after alcoholic fermentation is complete, however, you don’t have to wait until your wine is dry to start getting the benefits of oak. Learn about the advantages of fermenting in a barrel and ways it can be done at home.

Live Chat with Pat Henderson that took place on May 26, 2023.

Live chat with Pat Henderson, which took place May 25, 2022.

Live Chat with Pat Henderson, which took place on May 26, 2021.

Early in my winemaking career I had the good fortune to work with one of the founders of Kenwood Vineyards, Mike Lee, who really knew how to blend wines to make them

This blending template was created by Pat Henderson and is available for download here:

Live Chat with Pat Henderson, which took place on May 13, 2020.

Live Chat with Pat Henderson, which took place on May 22, 2019.

Pat Henderson, Chief Winemaker at Sonoma County, California’s famed Kenwood Vineyards, shares some universal winemaking advice that he has learned over the course of his more than 35 commercial vintages, and from his early years as a hobby winemaker.

Many home winemakers are uncertain on whether or not to have their wines go through malolactic fermentation. This is not surprising since there is no “one size fits all” approach to the decision and using malolactic fermentation (MLF) depends on the type and style of wine that you are trying to make.