The most anticipated time of the year is finally upon us – Wine Season is HERE!
Hello Winemakers,
I’m sure you are itching to get back into the winemaking process. It’s the most exciting time of year in our opinion!
The art of winemaking is truly remarkable and allows us to witness transformative magic unfolding right before our eyes. Just imagine the symphony of aromas that will fill the air as the grapes are crushed, releasing their juices, and bringing forth the promise of a beautiful vintage. Picture the vibrant colors dancing in the fermenters, as the yeasts work their magic, transforming sugar into alcohol. And oh, the joy of witnessing the first bubbles forming during fermentation, a sure sign that our wine is well on its way.
With every batch, we have the opportunity to experiment and refine our craft, constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in winemaking. Get excited to make a wine you will love this season!
Here’s what you can look forward to this week:
*If there is something you have your heart set on, please call ahead
- Grapes & Juices Arriving by 9/15:
- Juices: Alicante, Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chianti, Grenache, Merlot, Mixed Black, Old Vine Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Red Blend, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Black Muscat (Rosé) Chardonnay, French Colombard, Pinot Grigio, and White Zinfandel (Rosé).
- Grapes: Grenache, Merlot, Old Vine Zinfandel, Syrah, Teroldego, Black Muscat, Chardonnay, Fiano, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Thompson Seedless, and Vermentino.
- Olives: Stevie “The Olive King” has secured the green olives for this season. He is bringing in big and small sizes, each in 16lb cases. We will have limited stock so please call ahead before you drive down. They should arrive by Friday 9/15.
- Winemaker Hours: Winemaker Sam is on vacation until September 15th. But Winemaker Barry will be in on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays to assist you with your fermentation and winemaking questions.
- Harvest Store Hours: We are officially open 7 days a week! Mon-Friday 7:00am-5:00PM, Sat 6:00AM-1:00PM, Sun 7:00AM-12:00PM
- New York/New Jersey Pick Up: D’Arrigo will be a pickup location for us in the Bronx, NY. You can pre-order with MWG and pick up your order closer to home! Ask your sales representative for more details.
- Delivery Services: MWG has an extensive delivery network. If you are interested in delivery, please ask your sales representative for more details.
- Currently In Stock (as of 9/11):
- Grapes: Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc, Muscat, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Teroldego, Barbera, Alicante, and Thompson Seedless
- Juices: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Grenache, Mixed Black, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Ruby Cabernet, Syrah, Chardonnay, Muscat, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Thompson Seedless, Viognier, and White Zinfandel
- Always call ahead to make sure you have the most up to date stock information!
Looking ahead to Next Week:
Harvest Updates: Suisun Valley Sauvignon Blanc is around 22 Brix and the Brunello Clone Sangiovese is around 21 Brox. We should see Suisun Valley fruit start to harvest towards the end of September. Lodi will start to harvest more Cabernet, Zinfandel, and Merlot this week. Central Valley harvest is in full swing and will be arriving daily. Washington State Pinot Noir should start to come off the vine around 9/16, and arrive around 9/22. The Fresco Juice order deadline is 9/25 and they should start arriving the first week in October. Italian juices are set to delivery in the first week in October.
Don’t forget about our Winemaking Classes…
Hands-On Winemaking: Back by popular demand is our Winemaker Bootcamp. The September Class will start Saturday September 16th, 2023 at 9:00AM – 12:00PM (runs for 5 weeks). The October Class will start on Saturday October 21st, 2023 at 9:00AM – 12:00PM (runs for 5 weeks). Make sure to sign up via the website (link: 5 Week Winemaking Bootcamp (juicegrape.com)) or email cmusto@juicegrape.com if you are interested. There is only 1 space left in the September class and only 2 spaces left in the October class!
Winemaker In Your Pocket: Musto Wine Grape and Frank Renladi put together online courses you can access from anywhere! Check out our online classes via our sister site WinemakingInstructions.com {link: Learn How to Make Your Own Wine (winemakinginstructions.com)).
We look forward to seeing you at pick up this season! 😊
Cheers!
Christina & The Musto Crush Crew
Musto Wine Grape Co. / WinemakingInstructions.com
cmusto@juicegrape.com
T-minus 7 days and counting until grapes and juices start to arrive!
Hello Winemakers,
We are working hard getting your grapes and juices secured. We should start to see juices and early ripening grapes arrive the week after Labor Day. Our prices have been finalized! Give us a call or shoot us an email to chat about your order this season 877-812-1137 / salesjuicegrape.com.
Juices Arriving Wednesday 9/6: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Grenache, Mixed Black, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Ruby Cabernet, Syrah, Chardonnay, Muscat, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Thompson Seedless, Viognier, and White Zinfandel
Grapes Arriving Thursday 9/7: Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc, Muscat, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Teroldego, Barbera, Alicante, and Thompson Seedless
Store Hours: We will be open 7 days a week beginning the weekend of September 9th!
Winemaker Hours: Winemakers Sam and/or Barry will be in the office Tuesday through Sunday starting the week of September 18th. They will be in from 8:00AM-2:00PM. You can also email winemaker Sam at slee@juicegrape.com
Winemaking Classes:
Winemaker Bootcamp: Back by popular demand is our Hands-On Winemaker Bootcamp. The September Class will start Saturday September 16th, 2023 at 9:00AM – 12:00PM (runs for 5 weeks). The October Class will start on Saturday October 21st, 2023 at 9:00AM – 12:00PM (runs for 5 weeks). Make sure to sign up via the website or email cmusto@juicegrape.com if you are interested. There are only 3 spaces left in the September class and only 4 spaces left in the October class!
Next FREE Winemaking Class: Our next Facebook Live/Zoom class will be Thursday, August 31st at 7:00PM. Join us for our class about How to Prep for Harvest” tips for setting yourself up for success and making your favorite wine yet! The class will be held via Facebook Live & Zoom. Make sure to log in and watch as we chat at 7:00PM EST on Thursday, August 31st.
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82981391470?pwd=MnJwMVQydEd6QkluTmJBaER6a2F4Zz09
Facebook Live: How do you access Facebook Live? It’s easy. Go to Musto’s Facebook Page {Musto Wine Grape Company, LLC. | Hartford CT | Facebook} on the given date/time, and Frank’s class will automatically pop up on your screen. There you can ask questions in real-time. We hope you enjoy this series and look forward to bringing you more information to help you make your favorite wine!
Online Classes: Don’t forget that you can always access Musto & Frank Renaldi’s online classes via our sister site WinemakingInstructions.com {Learn How to Make Your Own Wine (winemakinginstructions.com))
Keep an eye out for our emails as grapes and juices start to arrive!
Cheers!
Christina & The Musto Crush Crew
Musto Wine Grape Co. / WinemakingInstructions.com
cmusto@juicegrape.com
Field Updates from Our Growers
Hello Winemakers,
We wanted to give a quick update from our growers in the field! We’re raising our glasses high and toasting to the heart and soul of our wines – our incredible growers! 🥂
Without these passionate and dedicated individuals, our delicious grapes wouldn’t be the stars of the show. Here’s to the early mornings and late nights, the unwavering commitment, and the endless pursuit of perfection. Your dedication shines through in every sip we take, and we’re truly grateful for the magic you bring to the vineyards. 🍇
So let’s clink our glasses and raise a toast – your hard work is the essence of our success, and we can’t wait to continue this journey together! 🍷
Pricing Updates:
Prices have been finalized! Give us a call or shoot us an email to chat about your order this season 877-812-1137 / salesjuicegrape.com.
Suisun Valley:
“I’m enjoying this growing season so far this year, reminds of the old normal where we begin harvesting after Labor Day. Hopefully producing a memorable vintage year” – Ron Lanza, Lanza-Musto Vineyards
Lodi:
“This year looks like it will be a great year. It is going to be a later condensed season for Lodi fruit, with everything coming off the vine at once. We are excited about our Old Vine Primitivo crop and the wine it will make. Looking forward to sending high quality fruit to the East Coast.” – Berton Costamagna & Paul Pourte, Costamagna Vineyards
Central Valley:
“The grapes are coming along and look beautiful. We got small traces of rain but nothing to be concerned about. We’re looking forward to start shipping grapes out the first week of September.” – Joe Guerriero
Washington State:
Rattlesnake Hills: “2023 has been a very good growing season. It is rivaling 2021 in terms of growing degree days, so plenty of ample heat for full ripening and rich flavors. The difference between 2023 and 2021 though is that this season’s heat has been relatively even, with no harmful sudden spikes, so we’re seeing very classic vine and fruit behavior in terms of yields and ripening. A little earlier than usual harvest is expected.” – Jeremy Porter, PineBrake Vineyards (formally Allechante Vineyards)
Candy Mountain – “Harvest is on the early side this year. Lighter crop, nice growing season after a cool spring start. Fruit quality is looking excellent. Flavors in the fruit are developed even at lower sugars.” – Marshall Edwards, Shaw Vineyards
Reminder – we will be open 7 days a week beginning the weekend of September 9th!
Below is a Tentative Arrival Dates calendar that covers most of the major grape regions and the fresh juices. Keep an eye out for more updates as we get closer to Labor Day.
Winemaker Hours:
One of our on-staff Winemakers -Sam Lee will be in the store and available for questions on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:00AM-2:00PM. If you want to speak to a winemaker in person, make sure to stop by and see Sam! You can also email him at slee@juicegrape.com.
Winemaker Bootcamp: You have been asking and we are gearing up for TWO classes this season. Back by popular demand is our Hands-On Winemaker Bootcamp. Dates and information have been posted on the website. If you want to get in on the “early-in” bootcamp list, email cmusto@juicegrape.com for more information.
Next FREE Winemaking Class:
Our next Facebook Live/Zoom class will be Thursday, August 31st at 7:00PM. Join us for our class about How to Prep for Harvest” tips for setting yourself up for success and making your favorite wine yet! The class will be held via Facebook Live & Zoom. Make sure to log in and watch as we chat at 7:00PM EST on Thursday, August 31st.
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82981391470?pwd=MnJwMVQydEd6QkluTmJBaER6a2F4Zz09 Facebook Live: How do you access Facebook Live? It’s easy. Go to Musto’s Facebook Page on the given date/time, and Frank’s class will automatically pop up on your screen. There you can ask questions in real-time. We hope you enjoy this series and look forward to bringing you more information to help you make your favorite wine!
Don’t forget that you can always access Frank Renaldi’s online classes via our sister site WinemakingInstructions.com.
Cheers!
Christina & The Musto Crush Crew
Musto Wine Grape Co. / WinemakingInstructions.com
cmusto@juicegrape.com
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