My family is starting a small vineyard in the hopes of having a running
winery down the road.

I'm interested in doing homebrew wine. I've got a buddy that does
homebrew beer, and I've worked with him doing it, so when I found that
there's homebew wine kids, I was excited.

My main question is this:

Will I be able to take grapes from the vineyard (once they're
producing) and use them to create the main ingredient to do the
homebrew? Ideally, I'd like to spend the next few years getting the
technique down, then once we've got some grapes that are useable, make
a batch to see how it might turn out for us.

I'll have to revisit this down the line, I'm sure, but are there any
suggestions about good books to read on home wine making, with special
emphasis on using your own grapes?

Chris,
There are several good books on home winemaking, but here is one I
like......... www.geocities.com/lumeisenman
Good luck with your winemaking,
Lum
Del Mar, California, USA


> wrote in message
oups.com...
> My family is starting a small vineyard in the hopes of having a running
> winery down the road.
>
> I'm interested in doing homebrew wine. I've got a buddy that does
> homebrew beer, and I've worked with him doing it, so when I found that
> there's homebew wine kids, I was excited.
>
> My main question is this:
>
> Will I be able to take grapes from the vineyard (once they're
> producing) and use them to create the main ingredient to do the
> homebrew? Ideally, I'd like to spend the next few years getting the
> technique down, then once we've got some grapes that are useable, make
> a batch to see how it might turn out for us.
>
> I'll have to revisit this down the line, I'm sure, but are there any
> suggestions about good books to read on home wine making, with special
> emphasis on using your own grapes?
>

Check out From Vines to Wines by Jeff Cox. It is a really informative book
about the whole process, from growing to making. It is certainly more
focused on the growing aspect, so you'll need to learn the fine art of
making from other sources. Just a note, making wine from a kit is really,
really easy. Making wine from grapes you grow yourself is a while different
ballgame! Good luck, I would love to have my own vineyard someday when I
settle in one area.
Bryan
> wrote in message
oups.com...
> My family is starting a small vineyard in the hopes of having a running
> winery down the road.
>
> I'm interested in doing homebrew wine. I've got a buddy that does
> homebrew beer, and I've worked with him doing it, so when I found that
> there's homebew wine kids, I was excited.
>
> My main question is this:
>
> Will I be able to take grapes from the vineyard (once they're
> producing) and use them to create the main ingredient to do the
> homebrew? Ideally, I'd like to spend the next few years getting the
> technique down, then once we've got some grapes that are useable, make
> a batch to see how it might turn out for us.
>
> I'll have to revisit this down the line, I'm sure, but are there any
> suggestions about good books to read on home wine making, with special
> emphasis on using your own grapes?
>

Chris:

Wine Kits are great. Some people (not many as a percentage) add
grapes to their kits. Many others just make wine at home from grapes
(crushers, etc).

Books are a good thing, but you might also wish to visit the
discussion forums at http://www.winepress.us

Steve

As to winemaking, Lum's book is great, start there.

Here is the UC Davis book too, it's also free:
http://wineserver.ucdavis.edu/conten...ory=Winemaking

You can use grapes in kits, certainly. Keep in mind the first few
years the vines produce grapes they will be a little spotty as to
quantity and quality. You may be able to purchase fresh wine grapes or
fresh pressed juice in your area also when it's in season.

I don't know where you are so won't recommend any grape growing books,
different areas require different techniques. Your county agricultural
agent should be helpful there or mention the rough area you are in and
we can go from there.

Joe