What to do with pomace?

[crushday]

I pressed 25 gallons of fermented frozen must yesterday. I got 18 gallons of wine and 6.5 gallons of pomace. Is the .5 gallon loss considered the devil’s share? Wine lost in a barrel is referred to as the angle’s share so I wonder...

But, what do I do with the pomace? I was thinking of mixing it into my garden but then I thought about all the seeds. I haven’t quite figured out how to use compost bins. Maybe there’s a forum called “Compost Talk” for that? Lol...

Seriously, what to do?

 

[CDrew]

We composted the first year and about day 5 in the composter we had a fruit fly invasion. Like millions of them, fortunately outside. Since then, the pomace goes out in the green waste. I'd really like to save and recycle into my garden, but I didn't think those Fruit flies were a good thing to have around especially after reading bout the fruit fly troubles from the guys back east. Normally, I rarely even see a fruit fly during fermentation, but with the pomace, that changed almost overnight.

You might get away with it now since it isn't that warm.

 

[Boatboy24]

Back when we had a garden, I'd just throw it in and turn the soil a bit, as it was always after 'gardening season'. It's early enough now that you could probably do the same.

 

[sour_grapes]

I do the same as Jim.

 

[Johnd]

I also put mine in the garden and till it in, it’s a great organic addition.

 

[Boatboy24]

Sometimes, I'd even leave a small pile right on the surface. Then sit and watch the deer come by at night and tie one on.

 

[crushday]

@Boatboy24 I instantly thought that was a brilliant idea. But, since I’ve planted a vineyard, do I really want to serve appetizers? Lol...guaranteed there’s some residual alcohol in there...

 

[The Dutchman]

I usually make a Pomace wine that can be consumed after 6 months. Just add half the amount of accidulated water, and sugar to desired starting gravity. So if you got say 20 gallon of wine from the grapes, add 10 gallons back.
I either do that or add the pomace to a juice bucket, to give it more body.

 

[NorCal]

I make around 150 gallons a year from grapes. It takes around 15.5 pounds to make a gallon of wine and a gallon weighs 8 pounds, so I need to get rid of a little over 1,000 pounds of pumice per year.

My go-to has been a local stay at home family that grows all their own food; fruit, vegetables, chickens, pigs, goats, cows... He has come and picked up my pumice for a number of years. He claims he has the happiest pigs in the county. If he doesn’t take it, it goes to the dump.

 

[winemaker81]

I compost pomace. The compost bin is far enough from the house that I don't worry about fruit flies.

Like the Dutchman, I make a second run wine (never heard it called "pomace wine" before, but it fits). It's lighter in body and ages faster, but that's good.

However, if I made 150 gallons, I have no idea what I'd do with an additional 75 gallons. I've got 20 gallons of second run in a barrel.

 

[garymc]

Compost bin for mine. Usually in the winter, but sometimes I get fruit flies. Burying the fresh stuff in the rest of the compost tends to reduce the fly problem. As far as the seeds go, I have muscadines coming up in some flower beds and other places. I let one grow and it gave me a new variety that has large pink muscadines.

 

[JohnT]

I compost them in a big heap. Tomatoes and Deer both love them. Ever see a deer get drunk? Hours of good quality entertainment right there!

 

[countygrapeguy]

Anyone here ever made Piquette?

 

[cmason1957]

I think this year, I am going to try to make Peperoni sotto vinaccia (grape pomace-pickled peppers).

It sounds delicious!!!!

Instructions for it Peperoni sotto vinaccia (grape pomace-pickled peppers)

 

[jburtner]

That looks pretty good and the second answer would be to make grappa.

Cheers!
-johann