877.812.1137

wine juice

Cheers to Spring Winemaking Adventures!

spring wine season

Hey there, fellow vintners and grape aficionados,

As the frost thaws and the vines awaken from their winter slumber, can you feel that excitement bubbling up like a well-aged Cab Sauv? That’s right, it’s time to dust off those barrels, polish those glasses, and get ready to dive headfirst into the spring winemaking season!

Whether you’re dreaming of crisp Chardonnays, robust Merlots, or something in between, now’s the time to get those orders in. From grapes, juices, fermenting tanks, corks, and everything in between, we’ve got you covered. So, why wait? Let’s uncork the magic of spring together!

 

2024 Spring Grape Offerings:

Chile: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier

 

2024 Spring Juice Offerings:

South Africa: Shiraz, Merlot, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Chenin Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Chile: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, and Muscat.

 

Crush/Destemm will be back!

We will be crushing and destemming again this year! However, there is a minimum order of 24 cases of Spring grapes. This will give you 6 pails of must, and about 20+ gallons of juice to work with.

 

Winemaking Classes:

Check out Musto Wine Grape & Frank Renaldi’s online classes via our sister site WinemakingInstructions.com.

 

Winemaker Hours:

Winemaker Sam Lee will be in the store and available for questions on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:00AM-4:00PM. 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.

 

March Store Hours:

Mon-Fri: 8:00AM-4:00PM

Sat-Sun:  Closed

Ready to take your winemaking to new heights? Simply shoot us an email or give us a call, and we’ll make sure you’re all set to rock this winemaking season.

Here’s to the grape adventures ahead!

What is Cold Soaking?

Cold soaking, also known as pre-fermentation maceration, is a winemaking technique that is widely used in the production of red wines. It involves holding crushed red grapes at a low temperature and takes place before fermentation.

Cold soaking

Why should I be cold soaking?

Cold soaking red grapes such as Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and more has many benefits. The aim of a cold soak is to extract more aromas, aroma intensity, and color from the skins of the grapes. In red wines, it makes for a more intensely fruity and deeper-colored wine; but it also makes for a fuller wine with increased palate weight. For example, in Pinot Noir, cold-soaking extracts the softer, more supple tannins to help produce a silky mouthfeel. It also helps emphasize the lush fruit notes like dark cherry and plum. Yum!

But wait; there’s more: Firstly, time in a cold soak, even a brief one, lets a winemaker get a much better handle on the fruit at hand, enough time to get a tank thoroughly mixed, time for any raisins in the fruit to reveal their sugars, time to get more trustworthy readings on basic wine chemistry than the numbers grabbed in the rush of fruit delivery. And second, extracting some goodies early in the cycle leaves open the option of pressing slightly early and working off the last few Brix in barrel, again minimizing the influence of nasty seed tannin.

How do I do it?

It is important to maintain a chilled temperature because if the must gets too warm it can begin fermenting. To properly cold soak, you need to maintain a temperature of about 35-45 degrees Fahrenheit. This could be difficult for home winemakers without a chiller system. Try using dry ice or ice tubes ser in the wine to the wine as cold as you can. Remember, the point of the low temperature is to be sure the yeast cannot get started.

This is usually done for about 5 days, though the length of time varies according to the winemaker’s goals and the grape variety. You should add enzymes to help the extraction move along, and sulfur dioxide to inhibit unwanted microbial activity. Using inert gas to prevent oxidation is also a great idea. Inert gases, known as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and argon are necessary for winemaking. They are used to supplant air in places where air could come into contact with the wine.

Need help with cold soaking your grapes?

Musto Wine Grape Company is here to help. Give us a call at (877) 812-1137 to speak with one of Musto’s Crush Crew members. We’re here to provide you with the best quality wine grapes, juices, and equipment, as well as the support to ensure you are successful in making the wine of your dreams!

Wine Spotlight: Amorosso/Amarone Blend

italian wine juice

One of our all time favorite Italian wine juices will be arriving in October, the Amorrosso/Amarone Blend. Sweet and bold, this wine is popular at any table. It will be arriving in early October from Italy. The Amarone fresh juice is available for pre-order and on demand pick up. The Amorosso Fresco is pre-order only. Please call 877-812-1137 to put in your order. We have a huge list of Italian wine juices for sale. Be sure to give us a call to check out what is available.

The Blend:

Amorosso/Amarone wine is a unique and highly regarded red wine produced in the Valpolicella region of Veneto, Italy. It is known for its rich, full-bodied flavor, high alcohol content, and complex aroma. Primarily made from three grape varieties: Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella. The grapes are carefully selected from well-maintained vineyards, and only the ripest bunches are chosen for this blend.

Appassimento:

The key step in Amarone production is the drying process, also known as “appassimento.” Instead of pressing the grapes immediately, they are spread out on wooden racks or straw mats in well-ventilated rooms, lofts, or drying chambers. During this time, they lose water content, which concentrates their sugars, flavors, and aromas. This process can reduce the weight of the grapes by 30-40%.

After the drying process, the grapes are gently crushed to release their juice. The grape skins are thick and full of flavor due to the drying process.

Winemaking Notes:

Typically, after fermentation, Amorossa/Amarone wine is aged for an extended period in oak barrels. The aging process can range from two to several years, depending on the producer’s preferences. This aging helps mellow the wine’s tannins, integrate its flavors, and develop its complex bouquet. For step by step instructions check out this blog post.

Flavor Profile:

Amorosso/Amarone wine is characterized by its deep ruby-red color, intense and complex aromas of dried fruits, dark cherries, spices, and a full-bodied, velvety texture. It is often enjoyed as a fine wine on its own or paired with hearty dishes like roasted meats, game, and aged cheeses. Due to its unique production method, Amorosso/Amarone tends to be more expensive than many other Italian wines but is highly regarded by wine enthusiasts for its exceptional quality and flavor profile.

Viva Italia!

To make an Italian wine juice order please contact 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.

What is the difference between Fresco Juices and Fresh Juices?

What is the difference between Fresco Juice vs. Fresh Juice?

red-wine-juice-fresco-wine-juice-winemaking-juice

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.

Fresh Juices:

Fresh Juices come straight from the press!

Our fresh juices are from the grapes that are crushed, destemmed, and pressed right into the pails. For white wine, this is as if you were crushing and pressing yourself. For red wine the grapes are run through a heat or “hot” press in order to extract the color. Once these pails come up to temperature they can kick off because of the native yeast from the original grapes, or you can kill the native yeast and pitch your own yeast to ensure a more successful fermentation. Either way you are working with the fresh juice, not from concetrate. A delicous wine can be on your table as soon as Christmas!

So what is the difference?

The Fresh Juices are the straight from the press. The Fresco juices are straigth from the press, but pre-balanced and have a few additions made to them to make fermentation easier on the winemaker.

Either way you have delicious wine in the making!

To make an order please contact 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.

Upgrade Your Winemaking Juice with the AllGrape Pack!

Upgrade Your Winemaking Juice with the AllGrape Pack!

Making from Fresh Juice or Wine Kits produces a fantastic wine, but can sometimes be lacking in tannins, color, flavor, and mouthfeel. This isn’t the winemaker’s fault, this is becasue these types of product do not get ample time on the grape skins to give the wine that extra kick of complexity.

Lucky for you, We Have a Solution! Enter the AllGrape Pack

allgrape-pack-wine-juice-juice-to-make-wine-winemaking-juices allgrape-pack-wine-juice-juice-to-make-wine-winemaking-juices

The AllGrape pack® contains 100% grapes, NO Fillers, NO sweeteners just 100% pasteurized crushed and destemmed grapes as “Mother Nature” intended!

Packed in a sterile, shelf-stable, bag in a box…taste the real Allgrape® difference.

Add it to your Fresh Wine Juice or Wine Kit and see a significant increase in the Flavor Profile, Tanninic Structure, and Mouthfeel in your Juice Wine!

It tastes as if you made wine from grapes!

Sam & Christina did an experiment with Chilean Merlot this Spring. We did one pail with the AllGrape pack and one pail without it. We couldn’t believe the difference! We believe in the product so much so that we discounted it so it’s easier to test out for yourselves. You won’t be disapointed. But hurry because this sale will only last until Novemeber!

FALL SPECIAL!
$33.00 – NOW $25.00

Purchase it online HERE

To make a wine juice order or if you have any questions about the AllGrape pack please contact 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.

Available for pick up this week (9/18-9/24)

Hello Winemakers,

I hope this message finds you well. We are thrilled to share some exciting news from our vineyard as we kick off this year’s grape harvest season.

The conditions this year have been wonderful, resulting in a crop of the finest grapes we’ve seen in a long time. We wanted to give you a sneak peek into what’s happening here at Musto Wine Grape this week.

Grape Varieties: Our vineyards boasts a variety of grape types, each with its unique characteristics. This year, we have seen exceptional growth and quality across the board. From the bold and robust reds to the crisp and refreshing whites, our grapes are thriving.

  • Alicante, Cabernet, Chardonnay, Barbera, Black Muscat, Grenache, Merlot, Malvasia Bianca, Muscat, Old Vine Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Petite Verdot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Symphony, Syrah, Thompson Seedless, Touriga Nacional, Zinfandel, and Zinderella

Wine Juices: We have a great selection of wine juices with fresh pails arriving daily. We are fully stocked with our California juice pails. The Italian juices will start to arrive in the first week in October, along with the pre-order Fresco 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), and more!!
  • Reminder: Fresco juices must be ordered by 9/25!

Harvest Updates: Everything is ripening beautifully, promising an outstanding flavor profile.

  • Suisun Valley will not start harvesting until the end of this week. We should start to see their grapes arrive in late September / early October. *A late addition* to the harvest menu – we will have Pinot Noir from Suisun Valley!! There are only a few boxes available. Give us a call to secure your PN today!
  • Washington State Pinot Noir is harvesting this week. We might see it as early as 9/25. The Washington Cabernet, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc should start harvest in the next 2 weeks.

Produce: Every year Stevie works hard to bring you seasonally delish produce. This week we will have more Olives, Figs, and Plums available for purchase. Please call ahead if you have your heart set on anything. We will have limited quantities.

  • Olives arriving 9/21
  • Figs arriving 9/22
  • Plums here

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.

Our team is hard at work, carefully monitoring the grapes’ progress. We can’t wait to start turning these exceptional grapes into the finest wines! Stay tuned for more updates as the harvest progresses. We’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses, tasting notes, and more exciting news in the weeks to come.

Thank you for being a part of our journey at Musto Wine Grape. We look forward to sharing the fruits of this year’s labor with you and raising a glass together to celebrate the extraordinary flavors of our grapes.

Cheers to a bountiful harvest!

Christina & The Musto Crush Crew

Musto Wine Grape Co. / WinemakingInstructions.com

www.juicegrape.com / 877-812-1137 / cmusto@juicegrape.com

🍇🍷 Exciting News! The Black Muscat Wine Grapes Have Arrived! 🍇🍷

black muscat raki

The dock is buzzing with excitement as we welcome the arrival of our beautiful Black Muscat wine grapes, ripened to perfection under the warm sun and nurtured with care.

🍇 Black Muscat

When it comes to grapes, we often think of the popular varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Zinfandel. However, tucked away in the world of vineyards is a gem that’s lesser-known but equally delightful – Black Muscat grapes. These grapes are a true delicacy, offering a unique combination of intense flavor, striking appearance, and a rich history. Black Muscat makes a fantastic sweet rosé, light red wine, and is a great base for Raki. In this post, we’ll dive into the fascinating world of Black Muscat grapes and explore what makes them so special.

🌞 A Brief History

Black Muscat grapes have their origins in the Mediterranean and are closely related to the Muscat family of grapes, known for their aromatic and sweet qualities. These grapes have a long and storied history, dating back thousands of years to ancient times when they were cultivated for wine production and used for medicinal purposes.

🍷 Flavor Profile

Black Muscat grapes are known for their stunning appearance. They are a large to medium-sized, round or oval in shape, and have a deep black or purple-black skin. When you hold a bunch of Black Muscat grapes in your hand, you can’t help but be captivated by their dark, enchanting beauty. The real magic of Black Muscat grapes lies in their flavor. These grapes are renowned for their intense aromatics and sweetness.

IN STOCK FOR THIS WEEKEND:

  1. Grapes: Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc, Black Muscat, Muscat, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Teroldego, Barbera, Cabernet, Merlot, Zinfandel, Old Vine Zinfandel, Mettler Pinot Grigio, Mettler Grenache, Alicante, and Thompson Seedless
  2. Juices: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Grenache, Black Muscat, Mixed Black, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Ruby Cabernet, Syrah, Chardonnay, Muscat, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Thompson Seedless, Viognier, and White Zinfandel
  3. Always call ahead to make sure you have the most up to date stock information!

Raki & Black Muscat:

Additionally, to wine – Black Muscat is a great grape to use for the drink Raki. Raki is the National drink of Turkey. It is also a popular drink through the Baltic regions and in Albania.

Raki is a traditional alcoholic beverage that is popular in several countries, especially in the Mediterranean region, including Turkey, Greece, Albania, and parts of the Balkans. It is an anise-flavored spirit with a strong, distinctive taste. The production process of raki typically involves several steps:

  1. Fermentation of Grapes or Other Fruits: Raki can be made from a variety of fruits, with grapes being the most common choice. Black Muscat has gained in popularity over the years to be the preferred grape to use. The first step is to crush and juice the fruit, which is then fermented. Yeast is often added to initiate the fermentation process, converting the sugars in the fruit into alcohol. This initial fermentation usually takes a few weeks.
  2. Distillation: After fermentation, the liquid is distilled to increase its alcohol content. The traditional method involves using a special copper pot still called a “degirmen” in Turkey or “rakia” in Greece. The fermented fruit mash is heated, and the alcohol vapor is collected and condensed to produce a high-proof spirit. The distillation process is usually repeated to ensure a higher alcohol concentration.
  3. Anise Flavoring: Anise seeds or aniseed are an essential ingredient in raki production. These seeds are typically crushed or ground, and the resulting powder is added to the distilled alcohol. This gives raki its characteristic licorice-like flavor and cloudy appearance when mixed with water. The anise-flavored alcohol is allowed to rest for a period, allowing the flavors to meld.
  4. Dilution: Raki is typically consumed by diluting it with water, which also causes it to turn cloudy due to the anise oils becoming less soluble. The ratio of water to raki can vary according to personal preference but is often around 1:1 or 2:1 (water to raki).
  5. Bottling and Aging: Some raki may be aged in wooden barrels for a short period to mellow its flavors, although this is less common than with other spirits like whiskey or brandy. Once the aging process is complete, the raki is typically filtered and then bottled for sale.

It’s important to note that the production methods and ingredients may vary from one region to another, and there may be slight variations in the production process. Also, the alcoholic content of raki can vary, but it is generally around 40-45% alcohol by volume.

Enjoyed primarily as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to meals, raki has a strong cultural significance in the countries where it is popular, often being consumed during social gatherings and special occasions.

Black Muscat & Rosé:

On the nose there is passion fruit, guava, sweet strawberry, sweet cherry, and papaya. The aromatics continue through the palate with a touch of crisp acidity. As a dry wine this light bodied Rose is full of complexity and flavor. If you’re more of a sweet winemaker, adding about 1-2% Residual sugar to this wine would make for a very aromatic and balanced sweet wine.

Black Muscat Winemaking Recipe:

  • Crush the Black Muscat into vat
  • Add Potassium Meta to kill native yeast, let sit for 12 hours
  • Add Cinn Free, stir must, let sit for another 12 hours
  • Press juice after 24 hours on the skins
  • Add Booster Blanc and Opti White (dilute in spring water, mix like pancake mix, dump into must, mix up)
  • Pitch yeast after 24 hrs on skins, make sure juice is at 65 degrees. If not let it warm up. Use VIN13 yeast.
  • Next Day: Add Fermaid O
  • Monitor Brix levels daily
  • At 1/3 of a drop in Brix (10-8 Brix) add Fermaid K

Please Note:

The color might be light. It darkened up over time. And if it doesn’t darken up enough to your liking, I have some “pixie dust” that will help with the color during the aging process. Also, after fermentation I added Noblesse at my first racking. This is because I thought the acid was a little high and it helped soften the mouthfeel. Every year is different, so you might not need to do this. Taste it after fermentation and then decide.

If you are interested in making Black Muscat wine and having any questions please feel free to reach out to our winemaking professionals via phone or email – 877-812-1137 or sales@juicegrape.com.

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 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.

 

We look forward to seeing you at pick up this season! 😊

Cheers!

Christina & The Musto Crush Crew

Musto Wine Grape Co. / WinemakingInstructions.com

The most anticipated time of the year is finally upon us – Wine Season is HERE!

wine-season

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

  1. Grapes & Juices Arriving by 9/15:
    1. 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).
    2. Grapes: Grenache, Merlot, Old Vine Zinfandel, Syrah, Teroldego, Black Muscat, Chardonnay, Fiano, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Thompson Seedless, and Vermentino.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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
  5. 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.
  6. Delivery Services: MWG has an extensive delivery network. If you are interested in delivery, please ask your sales representative for more details.
  7. Currently In Stock (as of 9/11):
    1. Grapes: Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc, Muscat, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Teroldego, Barbera, Alicante, and Thompson Seedless
    2. 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
    3. 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