Grape Sellers in USA

[winemaker81]

@distancerunner started a thread regarding creating a western PA group for making bulk grape purchases. It occurred to me to collect a list of grape sellers in the USA to help others do the same thing.

The coordinator of the group I belong to (based in Durham NC) negotiates a good price on west coast grapes, as the cost for folks on the east coast is stiff due to shipping. Making a bulk purchase (10,000+ lbs total) gives us leverage.

I'll start out with the two companies I know about:

Musto Wine & Grape Company, CT
https://www.juicegrape.com
Gino Pinto, NJ
https://ginopinto.com

 

[sour_grapes]

Collinwood Grape Company: Home | Grapes

 

[distancerunner]

CFP Winemakers
1 21st. Street
Pittsburgh PA 15222
412-232-4507

They are concessionaires housed within Consumer's Produce. They are in the Strip District. They're probably the largest produce company in the region. That gives them the ability to store a lot of grapes in cold rooms.

Ron Casertano runs the show. Mario, whose last name I do not know, is his number one guy. Both are knowledgeable. Good guys to deal with.

According to Ron, Musto, Pinto, and Casertano are cousins. They control/buy exclusively some acreage owned or leased by Lanza in the Suisun Valley. They also import equipment from Italy.

I bought my crusher-destemmer from them more than twenty years ago. They have some equipment in stock plus all the usual things you expect.

 

[winemaker81]

Musto is publishing blog posts regarding their grapes, including information regarding the vineyards and regions.

I have no particular interest in Musto, other than being a satisfied customer.

 

[distancerunner]

Great stuff! Should be applicable to Pinto and CFP.

Since they’re talking about California grapes it’s probably good for everyone else, too. At least as a general guide.

 

[vacuumpumpman]

Collinwood Grape Company: Home | Grapes

Carl is a great Guy !!

Great company

 

[distancerunner]

Haven't been there myself because of the almost three hour drive. I have some friends who buy from him. They're on the other side of Pittsburgh so the drive is doable. They agree.

By the way, your new filler is excellent!

 

[Ohio Bob]

Collinwood Grape Company: Home | Grapes

Are we sure these guys are still in business? Their website still has 2021 offerings and they’re not answering emails.

 

[Meadini]

In Denver we have-
5280 Produce and
Altitude Brewing

 

[ClubHouseEstates]

Hey folks -

New to the site but been making wine for 15 years from grapes. Just relocated from South Jersey to NORVA. I have been using Pinto exclusively and very very satisfied with there product in spring and fall. That said, the three hour drive from here is a bit much (did it for Chilean grapes this spring - made a 60g barrel). We moved my operation to a friends house in Fredricsburg as my townhome in Alexandria cannot accommodate.

I am very interested in trying to find a way to source more locally or team up to get pinto grapes as a group. This fall we are just going to make a small 30g batch and try juice to save the travel - seems I can find some options for juice pails more locally.

Thanks for the post and the opportunity to comment.

Tom

 

[ClubHouseEstates]

Also just saw another post that says Pinto is selling grapes to pick up in Richmond VA area. I’m planning to call the NJ office and find out more. Tom

 

[winemaker81]

Also just saw another post that says Pinto is selling grapes to pick up in Richmond VA area. I’m planning to call the NJ office and find out more. Tom

I emailed with Pinto last year, and they have a pickup point in Ashland (IIRC), which is just down the road from Fredericksburg.

However, @mainshipfred said there was a surcharge for shipping from NJ to VA. He can chime in, as I don't recall the details.

 

[VinesnBines]

Welcome ClubHouseEstate. I'm (part time) 20 miles east of F'burg. I also have a vineyard in the Southwestern part of the state. You can try Pinto but I suggest you link up with Mainshipfred and get grapes from the plethora of local grapes. In fact Fred may have 100 lbs of Virginia Cab Franc to share.

I have my first crop of hybrids coming in this year in the southern vineyards and in a year or two I should have the Eastern VA crop. A small planting of Barbera and Albarino.

 

[mainshipfred]

They ended up not charging me because I was never made aware of it. They did tell me the charge would apply next time. In addition, as much as I respect Gino's, the storage facility in Ashland is not refrigerated properly for storing grapes. I was originally told it was refrigerated but it's really only air conditioned to 72°.

I believe all the grapes I requested are spoken for. @ClubHouseEstates if you let me know what you want and how much I can see what I can do, that is if you want local fruit.

 

[mainshipfred]

Tom, we also have Washington Winemakers which does a group purchase for Lodi grapes and juice. I attached the order form.

 

[Steve_M]

Prospero Grapes Pleasantville,NY
https://www.prosperowinery.com/

 

[ClubHouseEstates]

I emailed with Pinto last year, and they have a pickup point in Ashland (IIRC), which is just down the road from Fredericksburg.

However, @mainshipfred said there was a surcharge for shipping from NJ to VA. He can chime in, as I don't recall the details.

Valuable feedback! Need to weigh my options then.

 

[ClubHouseEstates]

They ended up not charging me because I was never made aware of it. They did tell me the charge would apply next time. In addition, as much as I respect Gino's, the storage facility in Ashland is not refrigerated properly for storing grapes. I was originally told it was refrigerated but it's really only air conditioned to 72°.

I believe all the grapes I requested are spoken for. @ClubHouseEstates if you let me know what you want and how much I can see what I can do, that is if you want local fruit.

I would really like to try local grapes - so next year I’m in, if they are available. How soon ahead should I plan to coordinate an order? Great advice on the Pinto deal. Maybe I’ll sit this year out with them and wait until they have this partnership better integrated.

 

[ClubHouseEstates]

Tom, we also have Washington Winemakers which does a group purchase for Lodi grapes and juice. I attached the order form.

Yep, saw this the other day and emailed with my interest. Think this is my best option this year. Really appreciate the help and advice as I get my bearings in the area. Thankful for finding this forum!

 

[winemaker81]

Valuable feedback! Need to weigh my options then.

For folks in the Middle Atlantic, USA, getting good grapes is a problem. For some, getting ANY grapes is a problem, and this is certainly shared around the world.

For me, the local purchasing group is my best choice. If that falls through I have to weigh options.

• Order direct from Musto -- this works, but S&H for individual orders probably kills the deal.
• Frozen must buckets -- these are hideously expensive. Juice buckets are not an option, as I want to make heavier reds.
• Buy from the group Fred mentioned above. This is a 5.25 hour drive + traffic in the worst of DC. I have family an hour from the facility so it's a 2 day trip, but it's a long one.
• Buy from Gino Pinto -- requires a 3.5 hour drive in each direction, but I have family within 20 minutes of their facility, so it's a 2 day trip.
• Wine kits. Last year I was unable to purchase grapes so I filled the barrels with FWK, which is working nicely! It's not what I want, but it works.

I'm talking to a VA grower and will be getting some hybrids from them. It's a 3 hour drive in each direction, but it's through rural areas so the driving is not as intense. Plus there are wineries in the area.

Looking back at what I wrote, it improves my mood greatly that I have options.

My list may be of use to other folks figuring out their options.