Vinotrip

When working in San Francisco I worked in the same building as Crushpad, a custom winemaking facility. This place was the real deal, allowing amateur winemakers to get as involved in the winemaking process as they wanted. Several commercial labels have been launched out of Crushpad and business is still booming. Last I visited they were in a new, gigantic facility and were quickly growing into that. The only thing that stopped me from making a barrel of Somethingorother Cabernet was the price: around $6000 per barrel. Lots of people went in together to split the cost of producing a barrel, but to me even $1000 was an awfully high risk to drop that much money and potentially be stuck with plonk.

I was surprised to learn, via a Baltimore Sun article last week, that there are resources for the home winemaker available here in MD.  Specifically, Harford Vineyard runs seminars to help the hobbyist.  You buy your grapes or your juice, then the Vineyard holds your hand through the process.  The whole thing sounds pretty homey, a far cry from huge custom crush facilities.

I think I’m coming around and will take a shot at making something this year, either through Harford Vineyard or down in my basement.  If nothing else, I will annoy the cat with fermenting Cabernet near her food bowl.  Anyone want to get in on futures?

March 12th, 2008 | Category: Maryland, Wineries | Subscribe to comments | Leave a comment | Trackback URL