Contributed by Dan Wolfe, Associate Winemaker.

Harvest is still in full swing with grapes coming in from coast to coast, along with our own local grapes being harvested. The Chardonnay has gone through a full fermentation in oak barrels and is now going through Malolactic fermentation. We’ve been pressing and crushing Fredonia, Vignoles, Valvin Muscat, Pinot Noir, Cab Sauv, Steuben, Touriga and Chambourcin along with a few other I’m sure I forgot. Along with crushing and pressing, we are busy with fermentations, rackings and filtering of the wine after fermentation.

It’s a wonderful thing coming into work in the morning with the stars are still out; actually smelling the grape aroma in the air here in North East. I usually see at least three harvesters out in the vineyards with their lights on picking Concord Grapes before daylight.

This week we’ll be looking at getting Vidal and Catawba grapes in. Additionally this week, we’ll be having some of our wine distilled into neutral spirits to fortify our awesome tasting Touriga Port. Our port is made from 100% grapes, unlike some that are made with Grain Alcohol. Be sure to check out, learn more about, and purchase our Touriga Port on our online wine store.

Winemakers, we still have west coast, regional, and local juices and young wine available for order and pre-order! Click here to see what is still available. Our Italian Juice sale is also underway-order Italian Juice now.

Order Your Juices           Order Your Young Wine

Dan Wolfe joined PIWC in 2011 and is our Associate Winemaker. Dan started making wines from Wine kits in 2007 and the hobby quickly became an obsession. His habit then escalated to buying Fresh Grape Juice at harvest time, and he started experimenting with blending different wines. Dan has entered his wines in many local and out of town competitions, bringing home Gold medals and best of show in places like California. He is a member of the American Wine Society and judges wine competitions locally and around the state.