Hi from near Huntsville AL

[jswordy]

I live on a small farm in southern Lincoln County, TN, and work in Huntsville, AL. I began to drink wine about a year ago as an alternative to beer, since I am on a gluten-free diet. One thing led to another, and now I am a winemaker. Nothing fancy, just a table and casual style wine. I am fascinated by the self-sufficiency home winemaking offers, as that is something we strive for as much as we can on the farm.

My grandfather came to the US from Italy and used to make wine in the old way when I was a young boy. Unfortunately, he died before I became of age to absorb all he was doing. He used his own two feet andf natural fermentation to make an oak barrel aged white that was dry and tasty. It was also a very exacting process, as he relied entirely on Mother Nature for the entire procedure.

So I have had to start from scratch in my own endeavors. Stumbled on this place and found it inspiring, and here I am lurking around now!

 

[Rocky]

Welcome to the forum. I am sure you will find it instructive and worthwhile.

What part of Italy did your Grandfather come from? My family is all (both sides) from Caserta, just north of Naples.

BTW, I used to travel to Huntsville quite often while I was working. I remember a great restaurant that was made up of a few old train cars (I think is was called "The Depot"). Great food. We used to stay in a hotel (Sheraton?) that was right across the street from a large lake in the center of the city.

 

[Runningwolf]

Welcome aboard. That is great you're carrying on your grandads hobby.

 

[Julie]

Welcome to winemakingtalk

 

[Flem]

Welcome to the forum!!

 

[winemaker_3352]

Welcome aboard!!!

 

[Arne]

Welcome, glad to see ya. Arne.

 

[harleydmn]

Welcome nice to have you with us

 

[jswordy]

Welcome to the forum. I am sure you will find it instructive and worthwhile.

What part of Italy did your Grandfather come from? My family is all (both sides) from Caserta, just north of Naples.

BTW, I used to travel to Huntsville quite often while I was working. I remember a great restaurant that was made up of a few old train cars (I think is was called "The Depot"). Great food. We used to stay in a hotel (Sheraton?) that was right across the street from a large lake in the center of the city.

My grandpa and grandma were from Berea. I talked to my uncle about his winemaking. He had four 30 or so gallon barrels in the basement. My uncle said he could not get the local grapes to ferment correctly so he had to order them special from California (he was using the natural yeasts and the local grapes apparently did not have good strains with them, plus he had no sterilants other than bleach and boiling, nor any "enhancement" chemicals or packaged yeast).

I was really young. When he died I was like 8. But I remember his vintage was a white wine that was oak aged so it almost looked like whiskey, and dry as a desert noon. He was very proud of it. He drank a very small glass every day with lunch and supper.

I am just making hooch compared to what he was doing. But it serves my purposes of self-sufficiency, non-taxed alcohol and experimentation.

As far as Huntsville, The Depot restaurant is no longer in biz but the Depot is still there.

The Sheraton is now a Holiday Inn. Across the street from it is a brand new Embassy Suites with a Ruths Chris in it.

The large lake is Big Spring. It has a red footbridge over it that was a gift from the Japanese government.

Thanks for the welcomes!