Well, shucks...

[Boatboy24]

I just learned that my Amador Zinfandel grapes will be in Saturday. Unfortunately, I'm leaving next Friday to go camping for the weekend. So I'm crunched. I guess I'll have to pick up Saturday (I will have them crush), pitch Sunday, and press Thursday night or first thing Friday. Any other thoughts? I thought about freezing, but I don't have the freezer space for 144lbs of grapes.

 

[ibglowin]

Ahh I say get your priorities straight. You don't plan a camping trip anytime near crush!

 

[Boatboy24]

I agree, Mike. This trip is normally done in late September, but family and friends' schedules made that impossible this year. On the bright side, the leaves should be about peaking in Shenandoah National Park for us. Got a good hike planned for Saturday morning, so I should have some good photo ops.

 

[JohnT]

Glowin, I was just about to say the same thing! The tent and the campsite are not going anywhere!

 

[Treeman]

If you can get it through primary by Fri, might try extended maceration over the weekend. Can you cover the fermenter and add an airlock to keep it blanketed in its own CO2? This ref indicates keeping the cap wet. https://winemakermag.com/661-the-abcs-of-making-z


Cheers!

 

[Boatboy24]

If you can get it through primary by Fri, might try extended maceration over the weekend. Can you cover the fermenter and add an airlock to keep it blanketed in its own CO2? This ref indicates keeping the cap wet. https://winemakermag.com/661-the-abcs-of-making-z


Cheers!

Still have to keep the cap wet, no?

 

[Treeman]

Not sure if you could get the cap to sink by Fri. Perhaps getting your temps up early and stirring to degas some CO2 at the end. If it doesn't sink, you could try to weight it down perhaps cheese cloth and marbles? Otherwise you would have to press before you leave, or risk leaving it for 2 days.


Cheers!