Wine from grapes newbie equipment questions

[knockabout]

I've been making wine from kits for almost 2 years now. I am planning on making wine from grapes this coming summer for the 1st time and I'm trying to figure out what equipment I might need. I will be picking the grapes myself $85. Lb u pick me and use their crusher. I wanted to try 3 wines... A tannat, aglianico, and a gsm blend. I thought it would be good to do 15 gallons of each of those wines. Then I could age in demijohns. So I'm thinking I need 3 demijohns, is there any other equipment I will need. Ahhh yeah I'm asking for a vinometrica for my bday (unless there is something better to measure ph, ta sulfites etc) I do already have a AO aeration sulfite measurement set up.
Any suggestions? Thoughts on equipment or planning would be helpful -our local homebrew stores look at me cross eyed when I ask wine questions!

 

[Julie]

You would need a press.

 

[Boatboy24]

As Julie said, you will definitely need a press. And you've already mentioned the Vinmetrica. Make sure you have sufficient carboy/demijohn space and a few large fermenters.

 

[knockabout]

You would need a press.

I have seen plans for a homemade bucket press on this site, I was thinking about making one of those, as opposed to a basket press or the yellow mop bucket with a squisher...What do you think?

 

[vacuumpumpman]

You do have time if you wanted to make your own press - if interested ?

I don't know what you are fermenting in - but I use the open containers without any spigot on it. So I came up with a neat idea of using a hard plastic pipe with a strainer bag over it and suck out 85% of the juice out so I don't have to lift it, using the Allinonewinepump. Then I would use a pitcher to scoop it out to the press

 

[vacuumpumpman]

I have seen plans for a homemade bucket press on this site, I was thinking about making one of those, as opposed to a basket press or the yellow mop bucket with a squisher...What do you think?

I looked around - If I was going to build a press ? I personally would over engineer it , but I really like this one that I saw - simple !

http://www.orionhomebrewing.com/2012/06/build-diy-apple-cider-press-basket-for.html

 

[seth8530]

If you already have a good way to test sulfites then I would skip the SC 300, unless some of the more exotic test perk your fancy. I would instead just get a pH meter or perhaps one of there more economical models.

 

[Julie]

I have seen plans for a homemade bucket press on this site, I was thinking about making one of those, as opposed to a basket press or the yellow mop bucket with a squisher...What do you think?

I'm not sure about the yellow bucket press, there are two kinds. One is a down press and the other is a side press but I think the bucket press would work well.

 

[knockabout]

You do have time if you wanted to make your own press - if interested ?

I don't know what you are fermenting in - but I use the open containers without any spigot on it. So I came up with a neat idea of using a hard plastic pipe with a strainer bag over it and suck out 85% of the juice out so I don't have to lift it, using the Allinonewinepump. Then I would use a pitcher to scoop it out to the press

Thanks Steve,
Ill definitely use my AIO pump and make a filter like you have described, thanks for all the input I love it!

 

[Treeman]

If you are going to use a vacuum pump for transfers, you might look into something more robust than demijohns. These new tanks look interesting and come in 5 and 15 gallon size. http://www.catalyst-manufacturing.com

If your lhbs rents presses, you might also want to rent the first year. Only challenge here is that your three different ferments are unlikely to finish at the same time, so you may have multiple rental days.

Is your GSM going to be a field blend to 15 gallons? If not, then you might want 3 to 5 gal carboys to age these separate and then blend after pressing or when they finish aging.

 

[syncnite]

At least one extra demijohn since you'll need to rack into something. You don't want to be forced to always rack out to something and then back to your demijohn just bec you don't have an extra.

You'll need a pump to rack from such heavy containers.

 

[JohnT]

I have a couple of things I would like to mention...

If you are talking about a standard demijohn (54 liters), then you should plan on picking at least 180 pounds of grapes (add a little more for top off)

I would look into getting a crusher/destemmer

You will also nee an appropriate sized primary (most likely bigger than what you currently have).

 

[knockabout]

What is the most affordable oH meter that is accurate for red wine?

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Boatboy24]

I have this one:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085WV6GM/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[nicklausjames]

Don't forget fermaid/dap/etc so you don't get smellie h2s smells.

 

[Boatboy24]

Don't forget fermaid/dap/etc so you don't get smellie h2s smells.

That reminds me - you'll probably want to have some Tartaric acid on hand in case you need to adjust.

 

[JohnT]

Here are a couple more things that you may need..

- Funnels - in varied sizes! From one that fits into a 750ml bottle, to one that you can accept the pour of a 5 gallon bucket.

- Punch down tool - for punching down the skin cap into the wine. I like to do this 2 times a day when the wine is macerating.

- large stainless steel strainer (at least a foot in diameter).. I like to strain the juice coming off the press.

and

- a column strainer.. I took a 4' piece of 4" PVC pipe, affixed an end cap, and drilled "like a ga-jillion" 1/8" holes in it. I take this and insert it into my primary to strain/syphon/pump off as much of the juice as possible before I go to the press. With most of the juice removed, dumping the skins into the press is much, much, easier!

 

[knockabout]

I am very appreciative of all the info you guys have helped me with. I am so excited. Thanks to you all!