Hello from California

[Smartdog]

While I don't drink any more wine, I don't drink any less either.

After many hundreds of moons I am about to embarque on the wine making adventure again.

I have no equipment, and do wonder what a good starting point is equipment wise. Definately plan to scale up, so do not want to buy something that I will only use once. But money is an object also (I'm cheap, will drop $2k for my wife on a Genie lapidary machine, but not ready to spend $2k for a crush machine I can rent for $59 at MoreWine).

Any insight and help is appreciated.

Technicaliteis do not bother me as I am an engineer.

And neither does spelling.

 

[Wade E]

Can you be more specific as to what you want to make as in kit wine or from fresh grapes and what quantities?

 

[Julie]

Hi Smartdog,

Welcome to winemakingtalk.

 

[Runningwolf]

Smartdod welcome aboard. I would suggest you call one of our sponsers list above. They will guide you through exactly everything you need without selling stuff you don't need.

 

[Smartdog]

Can you be more specific as to what you want to make as in kit wine or from fresh grapes and what quantities?

I eventually want to be making wine from fresh grapes, but start with kits and work up through frozen pails.

Eventually I want to try sparkling wine.

I am not ready to do 200 gallons a year. But I want to make more than four or five bottles using a fancy all in one three step doodad.

 

[winemaker_3352]

Welcome aboard!! I think Dan is right - i would call one of the vendors and they can hook you up with what you need. Some of the starting kits they have you can swap items out - one i would recommend is going with the floor corker instead of the hand held one.

 

[Brian]

Welcome smartdog.. With a hometown like that you should be a natural wine maker. Lots of good information here.

 

[Wade E]

Either of the 2 banners above that are in rotation are good places to buy a whole equipment package including everything youll need to make a 6 gallon batch of wine. Below is a link to the package I would buy. If you call him you can also swap out some stuff for another which I would do with at least the corker and get the Portugeuse floor corker instead for a few more bucks, youll thank me later!!!!!
http://www.finevinewines.com/p-2176-1010.aspx

 

[Smartdog]

To help document my endeavour, I have started a wbsite: www.smartdogwinery.com