Champlain Valley - Grapemans' vineyard - Planting to small winery

[grapeman]

I had a pleasant surprise today - the tank arrived in just one day coming from Michigan! Man is this sucker heavy and shiny. It is almost 6 feet high when on it's stand. I felt like Wade with his Christmas surprise!


I will post some pictures when I get the stand together and the tank on it. It is an extremely well made tank, well worth spending a bit more on the better grade tank. The inside was so shiny that I almost blinded myself trying to look inside for the stand when it was outside. It took three of us to move it around. It came on a custum built crate put together with about 100 screws.
They sent me what I called a drool book. One look inside it and I began drooling uncontrollably.

Tomorrow I get a skid of mixed bottles and carboys. The winery is getting full. I don't know how Al fits everything in his little winery and still has room for tastings.

 

[AlFulchino]

just catching up here Rich...love the pictures...those carboys that Mike was asking about, look like demi john glass w/o the baskets..i was cleaning one the other day and that is what they often look like w/o the basket that has the handles...by the way...demi john comes from the name of a Persian or middle easter city in ancient times..i believe it was spelled something like Damiejugn...something like that

 

[Wade E]

So what was so shingy</font> about the inside of this tank????

Man you were so excited that you started hitting extra keys! Its such a sweet feling when something so nice appears that will make your life doing what you love so much easier! Congrats on the serious upgrade my friend. Did you trade in that sweet big screen monitor for it?

 

[Runningwolf]

This is awesome. I look forward to seeing pictures.

 

[Wade E]

I think he fell in and now cant get out!

 

[AlFulchino]

someone get him the "CLAPPER"

 

[grapeman]

Not sure why you guys think I fell into the tank........................ Plenty of room for even me, but alas I don't have time for a "barrel" of fun. I'm waiting now for the truck to show up with the bottles and carboys. I hope he has a liftgate on it because I sprained my wrist late yesterday and it is sore for unloading by hand if need be.

 

[BonnieJoy]

Getting those bottles from George? Did he cut ya good deal because of the volume?

 

[grapeman]

Bonnie I get the bottles elsewhere at a winery bottle wholesaler in NYS. It saves a lot on the bottles and shipping. I would love to buy everything from George, but need to count my pennies and being an accountant by trade, I'm sure George understands.


How is your wine coming along?

 

[BonnieJoy]

The wines started last month are happily maturing.
I'm excited, because this Saturday I pick up those Cab Sauv grapes from Berrien Springs, MI- Lemon Vineyards. I have a gentle process designed for them to attempt a fruit forward wine w/softer tannins and round mouthfeel. I have read that this variety packs a wallup &amp; discretion is advised if one wants to drink the stuff in their lifetime


Thanks for the info on the bottles. I've been looking for a supplier as I also need to pinch pennies where possible. All of the building upgrades &amp; equipment purchases this year have put a big dent in my discretionary spending budget.


I've been reading your winery progress with great joy. How wonderful it is for you to be able to turn a passion into an occupation. You have fans from afar

 

[OilnH2O]

I think that "sprained wrist" is probably an "over-use" injury from writing in the checkbook!

(great to see the progress, Rich!)

 

[grapeman]

You are probably "write" Dave. And here I thought it was trying to stop that 200 pound tank from falling on the floor as I tried to get it on the stand alone.

 

[robie]

I think that "sprained wrist" is probably an "over-use" injury from writing in the checkbook!

(great to see the progress, Rich!)

Are we talking about filling out so many deposit slips or ....?

 

[Wade E]

I think he hurt his wrist trying to get a good pic of that tank for us!

 

[grapeman]

Hey Wade, I did get a few pictures today to show you guys the tank and some fall foliage around the vineyard. After unloading a load of bottles and carboys today and other jobs, I am just too lazy to go upload them here (they are in the office and I am in the house)! The tank is just sitting in the middle of the floor right now where I hastily let it down last evening.


Richard, it certainly isn't from making out deposit slips from wine sales. You are only allowed to sell wine you made after you got the permits, so sales are still a ways off. The money stream (trickle) has been and still is all one way like the last five years. Hopefully I can reverse that stream soon!

 

[Wade E]

That was the answer I was looking for somewhere here as I asked and you probably responded but I never saw it. Rich, I knew you took pics and know youll get them to us, just gotta bust your chops a little my friend! How long before you start filling that bad boy up and turn on the jets for a nice soak?

 

[grapeman]

OK, so here are a couple pictures of the tank even though I haven't put it all together yet...............

See it is all shiny</font>.

 

[grapeman]

It was nice and sunny yesterday so I snapped a few pictures around the vineyard. Not panoramic vista's like ibglowin, but it looks pretty in it's own way.

Maybe it is time for another batch of hot wine?

 

[Runningwolf]

Nice pictures. It rained here all day. Love the shiny new tank.Are you guys getting hit with the noreaster storm coming up the east coast?

 

[AlFulchino]

beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!