Tentative Arrival Dates
We are working on finalizing our prices, we will have them finished by next week.
As of now, we are on track to receive grapes from Central Valley and Fresh Juice the week after Labor Day. Our grapes from Lodi, CA will start arriving around September 11th. Lanza grapes will start arriving in mid-September. Washington State should start to arrive in early to mid-October. The Fresco Juices and Italian Juices should arrive by the first week in October.
We will be open 7 days a week beginning the weekend of September 9th.
We are looking forward to working with you this season. Please keep an eye out for Emails, the Harvest Tracker, the MWG Blog, and our Social Media for more information.
2023 Harvest Report
Every year we work to bring you the highest quality products at the best prices. This season we have done just that. We have some new vineyards being added to the portfolio that will knock your socks off! And there will be new wine grapes available from the high-quality, reliable sources you’ve come to know and love.
Let’s get started with the Harvest Report!
To keep up to date on harvest dates check in with us via sales@juicegrape.com or call us at 877-812-1137, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube, or check out the Harvest Tracker and Winemaker Blog on our website- juicegrape.com.
THE GRAPES
Suisun Valley, CA – Lanza-Musto Vineyards: Suisun Valley was established in 1982 and is one of the oldest AVAs in California. Suisun Valley is home to a group of grape growers and winemakers who put their heart and soul into everything that they do. Located southeast of Napa Valley (sharing a county line), Suisun Valley lies in the foot slopes of good grape land between the picturesque Vaca Mountains to the east and St. George Range to the west. The Suisun Bay that connects to the San Francisco Bay sits to the south, lending a unique cooling coastal breeze. The soil is made up of volcanic rock, silt, sand, and clay allowing it to grow many different types of wine grapes; having over 28 varieties planted within this eight-mile-long and three-mile-wide AVA. We are expecting a high-quality year! The grapes got some decent rain, which resulted in fertile soils, nutrient-rich vines, and exceptional skin quality. The crop looks to be the size of a normal crop year, and we are currently on track for normal ripening and harvesting times. The Lanzas are introducing a new box, which will be sturdier with ample airflow for travel. We will have Barbera, Chardonnay, Cabernet (Clone 169, Clone 15, and Clone 8), Merlot, Malbec, Muscat Cannelli, Petite Sirah, Petite Verdot, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and Tempranillo available this fall.
Lodi, CA – Home to some of our oldest standing contracts and relationships, Lodi is a premier wine region consistently on the rise. With the LODI RULES sustainability effort moving full force through the AVA, we have seen and continue to see great wine-producing fruit come out of Lodi. During the growing season, warm, sunny days allow for optimal ripening of wine grapes. By contrast, cool winds off the Pacific Ocean which travel inland over a network of waterways act as a natural air conditioner for the region, helping winegrapes maintain balanced acidity. This season we have a “new” Primitivo coming in. We were able to procure some of it last season, but this season we will have a good amount of Old Vine Primitivo. This vineyard was planted in 1902! Along with this special Primitivo, we will have fruit from Mettler Ranch, Costamagna Vineyards, Zinderella, Valley Beauty, and Contra Costa just to name a few. This season we should start to see Lodi fruit come off the vine in early September. It is looking to be a normal-sized crop with good-looking berry bunches and seed development. We should see Lodi fruit start coming off the vine in early September, hitting MWG’s dock around early-mid September.
Central Valley, CA– Central Valley is California’s agricultural heartland. It is composed of two valleys that stretch almost 500 miles down the center of the state. The Sacramento Valley and San Joaquin Valley border on the east, by the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The total acreage under wine grape cultivation in the Central Valley is around 895,000 acres. To say Central Valley is the leader in California’s wine grape production would be an understatement. With many sub-AVAs, the Central Valley offers a lot of delicious winemaking grapes with a lot of history. Some of the oldest grape vines in California are grown in Central Valley. Since it is a hotter region, these will be some of the first to come off the vine. If you are interested in Central Valley fruit be ready to crush after Labor Day.
Washington State– We are excited to be bringing you a new vineyard option from Washington this season – Candy Mountain AVA. One of Washington States’ newest AVAs, Candy Mountains’ south-facing slope sits just southeast of the Red Mountain AVA. At around 900 acres, it’s also the smallest AVA in the state. With outstanding growing conditions, it produces, rich fruit-forward grapes with nice minerality and tannins. We will be bringing in Cabernet from Candy Mountain this season. It is looking like a lighter crop and an earlier season this year for Washington State. Candy Mountain is looking to harvest around September 25th, and Wahluke Merlot around the 1st week in October. The Wahluke Cabernet Franc should start to harvest around October 15th. Our Pinot Noir from Rattlesnake Hills should harvest the earliest, sometime around September 20th.
THE JUICES
We bring in juices from all over the world! Below is information regarding our juices and their availability this fall.
California Fresh Juice – We source premium California juice from all over the state. Winemaking juices are a great resource. You can make great wine without bulky equipment. Our fresh juices are ready to ferment when you get home. They have native yeast in them from the grape skins. You can let the native fermentation take place or you can inoculate with your preferred yeast. Either way, you will have a delicious wine that is ready to drink sooner than later. *We always suggest adding yeast because of how long the juice traveled.
California Fresco Juice– The difference between the Fresco Juices and the Fresh Juices is that the Fresco Juices are inoculated with yeast, enzymes, and other “seasonings” that help the wines have a successful fermentation, better color, aromas, tannic structure, and mouthfeel. We call it the “set and forget” juice. It is a great product that produces high-end results.
Italian Fresh Juice– We source premium juices from Puglia and other regions of Italy. These juices create wines that resemble that of the old country. Wines full of flavor and history! They have native yeast in them from the grape skins. You can let the native fermentation take place or you can inoculate with your preferred yeast. *We always suggest adding your own yeast because of how long the juice traveled.
Italian Fresco Juice– The difference between Fresco Juices and Fresh Juices is that the Fresco Juices are inoculated with yeast, enzymes, and other “seasonings” that help the wines have a successful fermentation, better color, aromas, tannic structure, and mouthfeel. We call it the “set and forget” juice. It is a great product that produces high-end results.
NY State – Our NY State portfolio offers hybrid winemaking juices in 5-gallon, 60-gallon, and 275-gallon sizes. Due to this season’s frost, we will not have as many varieties available. Please email or call Christina if you are interested in these juices.
As always Mother Nature can throw us a curve ball. To keep up to date on harvest dates check in with us via sales@juicegrape.com or call us at 877-812-1137, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube, or check out the Harvest Tracker and Winemaker Blog on our website- juicegrape.com.
Top 7 Winemaking Tips for the Spring Harvest
The Spring Harvest is underway! It’s time to get yourself set up for your Spring fermentations.
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Plan out your batch
- What kind of wine do you want to make?
- Review your ferementation notes from previous seasons
- Taste wines from Chile and South Africa for inspiration
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Review how to adjust your must
- Adjusting your Brix, TA, and pH
- Take an online class if need a referesher
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If making wine from juice, decide on Fresco vs. Non Fresco Juices
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Decide on the type of yeast you want to use
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PRE ORDER
- Give us a call at 877-812-1137 or email us at sales@juicegrape.com
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Think about the temperatures in your cellar
- Do you need extra heat?
- Do you need AC?
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Keep an eye on the Harvest Tracker for updates on the Spring Harvest
Interested in making your own wine? Musto Wine Grape Company is here to help! Musto’s New England’s largest supplier for home winemaking products and services. Visit juicegrape.com or give us a call at (877) 812 – 1137 to learn more.
Product Spotlight: CSM Yeast
Product Spotlight: CSM Yeast
CSM yeast was derived from Bordeaux and helps create a vibrant aromatic profile. CSM aids in adding complexity to the palate and pairs well with malolactic fermentation.
Why you want to use it:
It’s the perfect yeast for the Chilean fruit. It reduces vegetal aromas, adds complexity, stabilizes color, and helps increase the aromatic profiles of berries and spices.
Use Tips:
Fermentation starts quickly with this yeast. Be prepared to see Brix drop 24 hours after inoculation. It can stand up 14% ABV and can handle temperatures from 59–90°F. However, I highly suggest keeping your fermentation temps lower than 75°F. Once you hit 80°F you lose aromas and “burn off” flavors. Keeping your wine between 59–75°F during fermentation is a best practice.
You also want to use nutrients when using CSM; nutrients such as Fermaid-O and Fermaid-K. CSM tends to produce H2S (rotten egg smell) if there aren’t enough nutrients during fermentation.
Avoid cold shocking the yeast at inoculation. You’ll want to get the must and the yeast starter within a few degrees of each other before pitching the yeast starter. But without temperatures falling lower than 55°F. Temps below 55°F could stall fermentation and/or kill the yeast.
Goes best with:
CSM was cultivated to help ferment Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Merlot, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot. However, we have seen it used on Carmenere, Malbec, and Syrah from Chile with great results.
Dosage:
6gm/gals
Flavor Profile:
Cherry pit, raspberry, blackberry, spice, violet, bark, and sweet pepper
Ready to make wine? Musto Wine Grape Company is here to help you make the wine of your dreams! The Spring South African & Chilean winemaking season starts soon! Secure your winemaking grapes or juices and give us a call at (877) 812-1137 to speak with one of our Musto Crush Crew members. We can get you set up with everything you need and provide customer support along the way to ensure your success!
What are Fresco Winemaking Juices?
What are Fresco Juices?
Ever bake a cake from a box and it came out delicious? Did you know you could do the same with winemaking?
Mondiale Fresco is proud to be the only product to offer home winemakers their own vineyard in one unique package. Each pail of juice is pre-balanced and adjusted to ensure you have the best winemaking success possible. Just warm up the juice to fermentation temperature and watch it go.
What does “pre-balanced” and “adjusted” mean?
Every season Mother Nature gives us a different wine grape harvest. Some years the acid, pH, and sugars are all in line with each other. Most times they aren’t and there needs to be some slight adjustments made pre-fermentation to ensure top wine quality. The Fresco juices are adjusted so that the acid, pH, and sugar levels are all in balance with each other. This makes for an easier fermentation and, a very pleasing wine.
Depending on the varietal of wine you choose, enzymes and tannins might be added – all pre-measured, and ready-to-go, just open the packet and add to the pail. These add-ons help with wine clarity and mouthfeel, contributing to the “taste like made from scratch”, or in this case, as if fermented on the skins. The Fresco juices are the best juices to work with for busy winemakers. You get the juice warmed up, watch it ferment, age, and bottle.
No muss, no fuss. Just delicious wine. Click HERE to via our list of Fresco Juices.
Fresco Juices are Pre-Order ONLY. Give us a call at 877-812-1137 to secure your Fresco Juice order.
Spring Fresco juices
Fresco Juices
Ever bake a cake from a box and it came out delicious? Did you know you could do the same with winemaking?
Mondiale Fresco is proud to be the only product to offer home winemakers their own vineyard in one unique package. Each pail of juice is pre-balanced and adjusted to ensure you have the best winemaking success possible. Just warm up the juice to fermentation temperature and watch it go.
What does “pre-balanced” and “adjusted” mean?
Every season Mother Nature gives us a different wine grape harvest. Some years the acid, pH, and sugars are all in line with each other. Most times they aren’t and there needs to be some slight adjustments made pre-fermentation to ensure top wine quality. The Fresco juices are adjusted so that the acid, pH, and sugar levels are all in balance with each other. This makes for an easier fermentation and, a very pleasing wine.
Depending on the varietal of wine you choose, enzymes and tannins might be added – all pre-measured, and ready-to-go, just open the packet and add to the pail. These add-ons help with wine clarity and mouthfeel, contributing to the “taste like made from scratch”, or in this case, as if fermented on the skins. The Fresco juices are the best juices to work with for busy winemakers. You get the juice warmed up, watch it ferment, age, and bottle.
No muss, no fuss. Just delicious wine.
What varieties are available from Chile?
Cabernet Sauvignon:
This Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon offers a beautiful deep ruby colored robe with a predominant bouquet of blackberry and raspberry accompanied by a hint of pepper. Its slightly aggressive attack and long finish on the palate grant this wine the potential for a longer aging period.
Body: Full
Aroma: Fruity, Spicy
Origin: Chile
Winemaker addition: Light Oak
Alcohol: 13.2%
Carmenere:
This variety is considered as the flagship red wine of Chile. This crimson red wine has big character along with soft tannins and spicy undertones all at once. The mouth filling flavors are enhanced by the ever present oak.
Body: Full
Aroma: Fruity, Spicy
Origin: Chile
Winemaker addition: Dark Oak
Alcohol: 13.2%
Chardonnay:
Our golden straw-colored Chardonnay displays a tropical fruit bouquet complete with vanilla undertones. On the palate you’ll find notes of passion fruit and citrus – a well-balanced wine easily enjoyed during a meal or by a cozy warm fireplace.
Body: Full
Aroma: Fruity, Woody
Origin: Chile
Winemaker addition: Light Oak
Alcohol: 13.2%
Chardonnay Semillon
This wonderful blend brings together two halves of a whole into a harmonic union. The Semillon contributes flavors of honey and butterscotch to the Chardonnay’s nuances of tropical fruits and vanilla. A true symphony of flavors.
Body: Full
Aroma: Caramelized, Fruity, Woody
Origin: Chile
Winemaker addition: Dark Oak, Light Oak
Alcohol: 12.6%
Malbec:
Mosti Mondiale’s Chilean Malbec is an unforgettable journey through Chile’s wine country. A beautiful garnet robe, dark red cherry flavors and a nose comprising of cigar tobacco and coffee all combine for a delectable experience.
Body: Full
Aroma: Fruity, Herbaceous, Woody
Origin: Chile
Winemaker addition: Dark Oak
Alcohol: 12.9%
Merlot:
Our Chilean Merlot’s deep burgundy color, violet undertone and almost overwhelming bouquet of ripe red cherries and spices make it a true contender in the Chilean red wines category.
Body: Full
Aroma: Fruity, Spicy
Origin: Chile
Winemaker addition: Dark Oak
Alcohol: 12.9%
Sauvignon Blanc:
Light amber color with a strong citrusy bouquet and herbal undertones. Crisp and clean on the palate, can be enjoyed on its own or with light dishes or appetizers.
Body: Medium Full
Aroma: Fruity, Herbaceous
Origin: Chile
Winemaker addition: Light Oak
Alcohol: 12.4%
Viognier:
A medium-bodied white wine with aromas of freshly picked green apples and apricots that displays a stunningly long and floral aromatic finish. Take a sip of Chile!
Body: Medium Full
Aroma: Floral, Fruity
Origin: Chile
Winemaker addition: Dark Oak, Light Oak
Alcohol: 13%
What varieties are available from South Africa?
Cabernet Sauvignon
In the world of wines, the Cabernet Sauvignon is one that does not get neglected – and with good reason! The intense mouthfeel coupled with fruity notes of cassis, plums and cherries make this wine an unequivocal master of provoking the senses. Dry, full-bodied and slightly woody arising from the natural overabundance of tannins. If you are courageous enough to set this South African Cabernet Sauvignon aside for 12+ months, it will give new meaning to the phrase “ages like fine wine”!
Body: Full
Aroma: Fruity, Woody
Origin: South Africa
Alcohol: 13.2%
Pinotage
A South African line-up is not complete without a Pinotage. This bold red wine is synonymous with South Africa and it’s no wonder why – its hints of dark and red fruits combine to produce a medley consisting of blackberries, raspberries and licorice on the palate. More subtle flavors include rooibos, tea leaf and flavorful pipe tobacco. The bouquet exudes hints of wood and spices. Relatively high acidity provides a strong finish, making it the perfect pairing for game meats, gourmet burgers and homemade pizza.
Body: Full
Aroma: Fruity, Herbaceous, Spicy, Woody
Origin: South Africa
Alcohol: 13.5%
Sauvignon Blanc
You would be hard-pressed to find a more refreshing wine than a young, crispy South African Sauvignon Blanc. This splendid white wine is made to be enjoyed quite young. The combination of greenish, vegetal and mineral flavors emanating a few weeks after fermentation will make it very difficult to put this one away for a while. Off-dry with a lively acidity and medium finish. Serve slightly cool with light seafood platters.
Body: Medium
Aroma: Herbaceous, Woody
Origin: South Africa
Alcohol: 12.4%
Shiraz
Experience one of South Africa’s most renowned grapes: a dry, full-bodied cherry-red Shiraz with fruity, spicy notes when young. As it ages, subtler flavors like coffee, chocolate begin to take over. The nose slowly develops a hint of charcoal, which adds to the mysteriousness of this classic wine. Enjoy it with company if you really want to share it, but don’t be ashamed of keeping it your own little secret!
Body: Full
Aroma: Caramelized, Fruity, Spicy, Woody
Origin: South Africa
Alcohol: 13.2%
What varieties are available from Australia?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Full bodied deep garnet red. This wine offers up flavors of blackcurrant, blackberries with a slight hint of cedar. The tannin structure of the Cabernet Sauvignon matched with French Oak, create a wonderful symphony of tannins.
Body: Full
Aroma: Fruity, Woody
Alcohol: 13%
Chardonnay
This Australian Chardonnay offers up a complex fruity bouquet, with hints of ripe stone fruit and an underlying citrus note. On the palate it is well balanced with just the right amount of oak enhancing its full bodied flavor.
Body: Full
Aroma: Fruity, Woody
Winemaker addition: Light Oak
Alcohol: 13%
Merlot
Soft and mellow texture right from the start. This Merlot offers hints of cassis with light floral notes.
Body: Medium
Aroma: Floral, Fruity
Winemaker addition: Dark Oak
Alcohol: 12.5%
Orange Muscat
This white wine has citrus and honey notes with a slight sweet finish. On the palate it is fresh and crisp with a lingering clementine flavor.
Body: Light
Aroma: Caramelized, Fruity
Winemaker addition: Sweetener
Alcohol:12%
Petit Verdot
Bold and full bodied, the Australian Petit Verdot offers up flavors of dark fruits; black cherry, plums, with firm tannins and hints of spice.
Body: Full
Aroma: Fruity, Spicy
Winemaker addition: Dark Oak, Light Oak
Alcohol:13.5%
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