Fulchino Vineyard

[AlFulchino]

not done yet...the outside is planned to be stucco...guess who has NEVER done stucco!

sure, everyone here is invited

 

[grapeman]

That sure is going to be one fancy 300 square foot building! I need to go the economy route at present. Once I get a saleable product (or at least can sell it), I will add add the eye candy, but there is NO budget for that yet! Boy am I envious!

 

[AlFulchino]

dont be envious.....nothing to envy......all i am trying to do is remember that atmosphere is important.......people will *want* to sit down near the building in the same way i would want to.....i am trying to share what is a part o f me...but it is nothing that i have invented

without the building people come up to me simply because they see the vines/vineyard......there is a *look* that grapes organized on a trellis in neat rows provide...and it makes people stop to talk....to take a moment to breath and in some cases regale you w *their* stories...whether it be a trip to a vineyard in CA or in Europe.....or some story about a grandfather...or my favorite..'i have some grapes can you tell me how to..."

 

[grapeman]

Don't worry Al, I am not really envious........ Yours is just fancier at the present time. Yes it will help set the mood and that is important. I can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[AlFulchino]

there is an old rule we always have to remember....the next generation....or another person down the road will ALWAYS have something better than me/you/us...better cars/houses/tools/tractors etc.....

i just do what i do because it makes me happy in my present situation..and hopefully things will all work out

 

[rrawhide]

Lookin' good Al - and I like your philosophy - - - -
keep going forward and it will be fine - - - -


rrawhide

 

[AlFulchino]

http://www.fulchinovineyard.com/winery_construction.htm

added a couple of minor pictures showing the addition of a soffit and 2 of the three coats of stucco....apparently i have to wait a couple of weeks on the stucco before applying the third coat

the doors arrive tuesday........and roof material in 2-3 weeks...then it is inside...all this in between harvest, mums, trees and shrubs...it seems somes days like it will never be done

 

[Wade E]

Looking good, just noticed that there is no windows to view the beautiful vineyard. Was this to keep costs down?

 

[grapeman]

You mentioned harvest Al. How far off are you? I'm not even close here yet, although the one vine that was mislabeled is getting pretty ripe.
Some of the ones at Willsboro have some pretty good sugar levels going. My Frontenac vary from a brix of 15 and 17 - still a long ways off but closing the distance.


Your building will be done before you know it! It's looking great and will only get better.

 

[AlFulchino]

hi Wade...nope on the cost factor...the issue was temp control, and security....whenever the second building gets built it will have windows ....i had planned on building a 1200 sq ft bldg and then found out that in our town a new law calls for any building over 1000 sq ft to have a fire suppression system......so i decided on an ultimate plan of two buildings....300 and 960 respectively

 

[AlFulchino]

Hi Rich...last year i used the refractometer every day...this year i have been tasting and looking at the seeds etc.....today was the first day i used the refractometer because a friend wanted me to check his grapes.....mine were all over the place from 15 to 23...most were in the 19-21 range and with a week of sunny and dry weather in the forecast and no bird problems just yet i will hold off at least a few days to a week...(maybe more?????)

 

[nhdennis]

Al,


Building looks great so far. Seems like the plan is coming together on the 1st building. Just in time I'm sure to get stuff inside done before (gasp) snow flies


Dennis

 

[AlFulchino]

Primo Frutta or First Fruit(s), a two varietal blend coming soon....this was taken today

also starting to see a few birds and one set of deer tracks...so each variety will be on my agenda to get picked soon...may do some more tomorrow

while the two varietals are a state secret ahem, the numbers are as follows PA 11.5% brix 22 and the SG 1.085, ten pounds were taken per vine and cluster sizes ranged between 3.0 and 4.5 ounces each...small cluster style varieties..i am in between ph meters but feel very confident about the ph and the TA are in acceptable ranges

did some straight to the press and some as a free run

 

[AlFulchino]

and i should add that the juice deeeeeelicious...what a joy...one i hope all of you experience at some point in your life

 

[grapeman]

Looking great Al. State Secret huh?


I bet they really smell and taste delicious!


And let the fun begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

[AlFulchino]

and yours should be soon enough....got down to the upper forties last night...so you must be having something similar

let us pray that our next variety is not a forced *ice* wine

 

[grapeman]

It was mid to upper fourties the last two nights. My brother had been to the hunting camp near Saranac Lake. He said it was 36 when they got up and about 38 inside the camp!


I can't believe how quickly many of the vaieties are ripening- like they are trying to catch up. I can't let them be too quick, I need to free up a bunch of carboys. I now have 280 gallons of temporary barrel storage so I can make the larger batches in them and use the carboys for mini-batches. And no, I'm not making all 280 gallons full. I just need a bit of extra storage in case I need to keep juice on hand for a bit before someone arrives to pick theirs up.

 

[BonnieJoy]

ohhhhhhh yum those grapes look good

 

[AlFulchino]

thanks Bonnie

Rich i am in the same boat as far as capacity.....although last years grapes are coming along fine, the flex-tanks are not freed up...so i am squirming pretty good right now

 

[Wade E]

Yep, looking good there Al!