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I have my Chilean crush tomorrow. I am doing a limited batch of 300 liters (I ordered 56 half-lugs) of 48 half-lugs of Cabernet Franc and 8 half-lugs of merlot (85/15 ratio).
With my niece's wedding, my brothers birthday, my wife's birthday, etc., my time is very limited. Still, I rather attempt to squeeze in a "mini-crush" then lament that I had no 2017 Chilean in my cellar.
The problems I face are many. Logistics, equipment, and man-power. Even if this is a "mini-crush", it could be back-breaking if the right plan is not in place.
So here is my plan..
On the way home tonight, I pick up my brother's van. This is about 2 hours driving on the best of days, however this going to be Friday evening JERSEY traffic. Yikes!
If/when I get home, I need to continue cleaning and organizing the winery. I did get a leg up on this over the week, but I still have lots to be done. I expect that I will be still going by midnight.
Tomorrow, it is up a 5:30am to get to my southern supplier by 8am. If all goes to plan, I should be back at the winery by 11:30.
I have my crew (my brother and nephew) all set to come at noon. As a surprise to my brother, I have also arranged to have my youngest niece (and her boyfriend) come as well.
with only 56 half lugs, we should have everything sorted, crushed, and put away in just a couple of hours.
This morning the wife reminded me that I have no arrangements for food. Yikes! She actually made the suggestion that we have a frozen lasagna (Stofers from the store) in our freezer. Forgive me grandfather!!!!
All will go to plan if we can stay away from any hurdles, like RAIN....
The rain will begin around 2am Saturday and continue until Sunday evening! Perhaps I will hit the road 30 minutes earlier just to allow more travel time.
Thus the crush cycle begins.. First worry, then obsessive panic, then hard work, then a sip or two of wine with family, then a meal, then joy and happiness.
QUESTION: When did all of you get your grapes? I just wonder how old my grapes are going to be...
With my niece's wedding, my brothers birthday, my wife's birthday, etc., my time is very limited. Still, I rather attempt to squeeze in a "mini-crush" then lament that I had no 2017 Chilean in my cellar.
The problems I face are many. Logistics, equipment, and man-power. Even if this is a "mini-crush", it could be back-breaking if the right plan is not in place.
So here is my plan..
On the way home tonight, I pick up my brother's van. This is about 2 hours driving on the best of days, however this going to be Friday evening JERSEY traffic. Yikes!
If/when I get home, I need to continue cleaning and organizing the winery. I did get a leg up on this over the week, but I still have lots to be done. I expect that I will be still going by midnight.
Tomorrow, it is up a 5:30am to get to my southern supplier by 8am. If all goes to plan, I should be back at the winery by 11:30.
I have my crew (my brother and nephew) all set to come at noon. As a surprise to my brother, I have also arranged to have my youngest niece (and her boyfriend) come as well.
with only 56 half lugs, we should have everything sorted, crushed, and put away in just a couple of hours.
This morning the wife reminded me that I have no arrangements for food. Yikes! She actually made the suggestion that we have a frozen lasagna (Stofers from the store) in our freezer. Forgive me grandfather!!!!
All will go to plan if we can stay away from any hurdles, like RAIN....
The rain will begin around 2am Saturday and continue until Sunday evening! Perhaps I will hit the road 30 minutes earlier just to allow more travel time.
Thus the crush cycle begins.. First worry, then obsessive panic, then hard work, then a sip or two of wine with family, then a meal, then joy and happiness.
QUESTION: When did all of you get your grapes? I just wonder how old my grapes are going to be...
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