New NJ Member

[Mac60]

Hello all members, Finished my Wine Cellar and Just got my priorities back in to to allow me to make wine after a 4 year of no wine making before that I made wine every year for 10 years. Had some great years and a few not so great years. I picked a small batch this year to get started 12 lugs 450 lbs. The grapes this year looked exceptional. Did an Old vine blend, 48% old Vine Zinfandel, 24% Barbera, 18% Alicante, 10% Muscat. The Brix on the Zins was 26, Barbera was 23, Alicante was 24 and Muscat was 21.
Hand crushed & de-stemed into 350 plastic tub the grapes primary fermentation took 7 days before the S.G. was .99 Yielded 37 gallons all looking good, I'm planning on soaking some oak chips in Burbon and adding to the bulk storage tank for 60 days. I got a real good feeling about this first year back, very excited
Mike

 

[joeswine]

Where you out of?

 

[Mac60]

Ocean County, Manahawkin NJ, move from up North Bergen County

 

[bkisel]

Welcome to the forum!

From the pictures it looks like you did the crush out on your driveway, is that what you did? If so you're going to be the most popular guy in the neighborhood come bottling time.

 

[Mac60]

Thanks Bill, Yes however I'm far enough from the road i may still be able to keep most of my bottles. I need to fill up the new wine cellar, next season I should be back in full swing and make 80-100 gallons. Then I will have a few bottles to give away.
Mike

 

[Morris]

Iam in Barnegat, would love to talk and compare

 

[Johny99]

Welcome Mike. Love your barrel rack, you make it?

 

[Arne]

Welcome to the forum Mike. Looks like you have been busy. Arne

 

[Mac60]

Iam in Barnegat, would love to talk and compare

Morris, that would be great,

Mike

 

[Mac60]

Welcome Mike. Love your barrel rack, you make it?

Johny, Thanks for the welcome, yes I had some scrap plywood laying around I pieced together.
Mike

 

[Morris]

Mike send a private mail. Morris

 

[Morris]

Morris, that would be great,

Mike

Mike any update?