Contributed by Dan Wolfe, Associate Winemaker.

This harvest the weather has really been cooperating, allowing us to pick on sunny days and process the grapes in somewhat ideal conditions. Pictured above are Chambourcin grapes, which will be picked in just a few weeks as the sugar level climbs to higher percentages- making for a better wine. The juice from these grapes will be blended into our Creekside Red, a customer favorite here at Presque Isle Wine Cellars.

This week we crushed and pressed Vignoles, Fredonia, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Dornfelder, Cayuga, Chancellor, Riesling and Concord.

Our tanks here at the winery are really swirling around as many of the varieties are all ready fermenting away in the tanks.

Remember many of these local grape varieties are available for sale as juice for our home winemakers and commercial wineries.  We also still have a selection of great California and Australian juice pails available for sale also. Winemakers- click here to find all the grape and juice options we still have available.

Dan Wolfe joined Presque Isle Wine Cellars 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.

Contributed by Dan Wolfe, Associate Winemaker.

Harvest is really into full swing now. As you ride through town you’ll see tractors and trucks loaded with grape bins making deliveries to wineries and Welch’s. In the picture above you see a mechanical harvester picking grapes for today’s pressing.

The weather has cooperated all week making for long pleasant days of crushing and pressing. The Pinot Gris ripened several weeks early this year and has been available for sale since this past weekend. This week we pressed Niagara, Marquette, Seyval, Fredonia and Pinot Gris. The aromas of fresh grapes in the air are astounding! Be sure to stop by our Isle House sometime and enjoy a wine tasting and experience the aroma and the harvest happenings.

This will be our first full weekend of being open on Saturday and Sunday to come in and pick up you juice and supplies for home winemaking. In addition to the local juice we also have California and Australian juice pails available for sale. Order yours now so it is ready for pickup!

Dan Wolfe joined Presque Isle Wine Cellars 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.

Contributed by Dan Wolfe, Associate Winemaker

The first load of Niagara grapes have arrived! This is a very exciting time of year for everyone in the wine business.

We have a variety of juice products for our home winemakers now available for pre-order, and pickup begins soon. Juice from California and Australian are both available now in pails and drums. Italian juices will arrive late October but are available for pre-order now. Do not hesitate to get the variety of your choice. See all that will be available for pickup this weekend here.

Harvest is now in full operation. We’ve pressed Bacchus and Niagara so far. In the coming week we look forward to pressing more Niagara, Fredonia and possibly Valvin Mucat. Walking through the vineyards is so refreshing to see the bountiful grape clusters and to smell the grape aromas in the air.

Presque Isle Wine Cellars is stocked up on all your favorite winemaking supplies so be sure to stop in and get whatever you need. And always, if you have any questions, please call us! We love talking wine with our customers. 814-725-1314.

Dan Wolfe joined Presque Isle Wine Cellars 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.

Contributed by Dan Wolfe, Associate Winemaker

Rassie Farms and Vineyards in North East, PA. Apple trees, Blueberries and Grape Vineyards overlooking Lake Erie. 

This we mark as  the beginning of 2016 Harvest!  This week we will be pressing Bacchus grapes and Niagara grapes. The vineyards are looking great this year for all of the native varieties. After two very harsh and damaging winters, the vinifera are also recovering nicely and we should also have a much better crop this year than we did last year.  For our current predicted grape and juice availability for this season- click here!

Our Australian Juice arrived last week for anyone that placed orders or would like to come and get some. This is a very high quality juice and I suggest coming and getting some while supplies last. It is available this year prepackaged in both pails and drums. To learn more about these Australian juices and order online (or by phone), click here.

This week we have the California juice arriving for the folks that ordered pails or drums. There is also some extra pails for those who did not place orders a head of time- make sure you call at 814-725-1314 to inquire about availability if you would like to snatch these extra pails up before they are gone! Learn more about our California juice pail sale here.

Dan Wolfe joined Presque Isle Wine Cellars 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.