Materials

[Bruce53]

I have a homemade basket for a press and I am using a set of galvanized bands to hold it together. Question: Should I be using those metal bands or shift to the strong, green plastic bands used in commercial bundling of things like lumber? Fundamental question: With the short, momentary contact of the must, does the material matter in the construction?
Many thanks...
Bruce53

 

[robie]

Of course stainless steel is always best, but for the short time of pressing, your current bands should be fine. Just make sure you sanitize everything well before each and every batch.

There is a video on youtube where they are using a rope as the press container. They pile the grapes up and start winding a very heavy rope around the pile until the windings of rope resembles a basket. Next, they have a screw press that comes down and does the actual pressing. The rope holds the pile together, as a basket would. Pretty cool!

I was just in your town three days ago on my way up to Gonzales to do some tastings along the Santa Lucia Highlands. I went to Hahn, Talbotts and a few others. Great Pinot and Chardonnays grown there.

 

[Bruce53]

Yes Robie... I am getting grapes from a vast vinyard just south of King City on the Julon road. Should be ready in mid-October. Sun there every day after May...