Tag Archive for: wine making

Test for harvest #3

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While we picked the chardonnay, I was quite struck by how far behind the reds seem to be.  So time to run the tests again:

Merlot 19.8 degrees Brix, 3.55 pH, 7.5 TA (bland-no flavor)

Sangiovese 18.3 degrees Brix, 3.29 pH, 9.0 TA (strawberry-slightly tart)

Cabernet Sauvignon 16.8 degrees Brix, 3.04 pH, 10.5 TA (TART!)

Based on these numbers, I am predicting that harvest will be Saturday, August 10 & 11, at least for the merlot and sangiovese.

 

We also tested the grapes from Belle Crest Vineyard:

Malbec 20.3 degrees Brix, 3.55 pH, 6.0 TA (fig)

Tempranillo 22 degrees Brix, 3.74 pH, 4.5 TA (pear)

Cabernet Sauvignon 19 degrees Brix, 3.29 pH, 7.5 TA (nectarine)

Their cab sauv looks to be a bit higher than ours, but their sample is not a true random sample since it did not include the green grapes.  For our sample, we tried to make sure that we had a truly random sample and included green berries.

<<<<<<<<<UPDATE: RED harvest at Salado Vineyard MOVED to AUGUST 17 & 18 after test #4>>>>>>>>>

Belton Blanc DuBois

Last week we made 220 gallons of white wine.  The grapes are Blanc DuBois and they were grown in a vineyard in Belton near the Lampasas River.  This was the first time we started a white wine here at Salado Winery, so it took a little trial and error to perfect our technique of processing the grapes.  We’re running a chiller to keep the juice cool as it ferments into wine.  I’m hoping we can get this white wine ready quickly, but we shall see!

Harvest 2012


Saturday & Sunday, July 14 &15, 7-11 am, chardonnay

Saturday, July 28, 7-11 am, merlot

Friday, August 3, 7-11 am, sangiovese piccolo

Saturday, August 4, 7-11 am, cabernet sauvignon

Sunday, August 5, 7-11 am, sangiovese

You are officially invited to join us for Harvest 2012!  We expect that we’ll be there from 7-11 each of those days and you’re welcome to come for as little or as long as you like.  Come for the fun and camaraderie!  Kids welcome.

If you have favorite prunners, bring them, otherwise we have extras for you.

Please bring your favorite hat, sunscreen, bug spray, and sturdy shoes. (I like to wear old sneakers and socks so that the pigweed doesn’t get me).  Some folks like to wear light cotton gloves, but they aren’t necessary.  Beware of the wasps, fireants, mosquitos, and be prepared for the heat.  Watch out for the mean old mockingbirds who think they own the vineyard!  I haven’t seen any snakes this year, but there’s always a first.

Also, those dates and the days following harvest are the best times to visit the winery and see the wine making in action.  We can always put extra hands to work, so if you don’t like to get up early in the morning, come by in the afternoon and be part of the bucket brigade.

The vineyard is at 21724 Hill Road, Salado.  Feel free to call us for last minute updates.  Thanks for your continued interest in Salado Winery Company!

WE ARE MAKING WINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are all super excited that we have the opportunity to start making wine at our shop this year!!!! The Black Rock Vineyard Association brought over 2 barrels and some other equipment this past weekend. They added the necessary ingrediants and now we get to stir and mash multiple times every day. We are going to start harvesting and making wine from our own vineyard this upcomming weekend the 21st & 22nd of Aug. Here are some pictures of the process. We will keep you updated. Stop by the shop to check it out in person!

Bringing in the Barrels! Sat Aug 14th

Talking about the Wine Making!

This is what it looks like the same day it was picked after the grapes are put through the 1st press. Mostly to get the stems and leaves out and to break the skins so the juice will come out.