In my previous job as an Extension Enologist for Penn State University and now, as a Winemaking Consultant, I regularly find that so many winery operations (and their employees) are hesitant to invest in technical guidance or assistance. As someone who has regularly found that winemaking knowledge is power in the cellar, it is quite […]
Is Wine Analysis Important in Winemaking?
Maintaining good winemaking records is key to monitoring the quality of the wine. Many winemakers take good notes, recording processing steps as well as all ingredient and processing aid additions that go into the wine. However, maintaining adequate analytical records of wine is also important. As a consultant, I meet winemakers with a variety of […]
Are you maintaining the fundamentals on filtration?
Wine filtration seems to stump many of us. Some wines go through filtration with ease. Others… not so much. But why? Why is there such variation in filtration success? Filtration challenges and reminders Filtration is an essential part of the winemaking process, offering both clarification and microbial stability options for a wine. Filtration operations are […]
Set Winemaking Goals for 2022
Taking just 30 minutes to review the past harvest season can save time and resources prior to starting the next harvest. With that in mind, I strongly encourage everyone to do some post-harvest assessments. DGW members and clients can access a series of prompts through the Post-Harvest Preparation Checklist. If you don’t have access to […]
Did grape rot affect your wine vintage?
DG Winemaking Can Help! For many winegrowing regions, the vintage harvest season can leave winemakers in a state of distress or frustration. When the presence and proliferation of rot creeps into the vineyard during harvest season, there are a number of wine processing decisions that can influence the future of the wine’s quality. Most grape […]
3 Trendy Winemaking Techniques for 2021
Winemakers often get overly ambitious at the start of a harvest season. It’s an opportunity to try new techniques, alter wine additions, and create something they previously imagined. However, conquering the fundamentals associated with winemaking often provides a solid foundation for crafting really great wines. This includes things like: Having sound sanitation practices. Receiving and […]
