Backyard Winemakers

[saintdne]

There is not much activity in the Viticulture or the Wine Making forums.

I know these are intended for the pros, but most of the recent posting have
been by beginners and amateurs asking for advice.I suspect we need more help
than the pros,we are a bit more isolated geographically and technically.

The All About Wine forum is also orientated towards consumers rather than the
trade.

I am a backyard grower and winemaker, and would be happy to post more, but I
don't want to tread on any toes!

Are there other people out there in a similar situation?

What does the site admin think?

[Eddiee]

I want to share that i am engaged in wine making at home for my personal use, its about 2 years that i have started.

[saintdne]

I guess that makes two of us !

[Gavin Trott]

Site admin

That's me , I guess

is very very happy for this to be used as best suits.

Home wine makers are welcome (I used to be one too) and I would love it if many joined, added their info, queries and helped each other out.

Go for it, ask friends to join, ask the experts for help, and let's get the best we can from this opportunity!

.

[saintdne]

Most wine shows are for the pros, and do not allow amateurs to enter. There are four competitions for the shed guys who are not necessarily from their own area, that I know of:

Wodonga Show Society
Frankston Amateur Wine Guild
National Wine & Beer Show (Adelaide)
Eltham & District Wine Show
(If anyone knows of more, could they drop a line.)

The have professional wine makers and judges to assess our wines and offer constructive criticism. I find it hard to judge my own. Entry for the 2011 Eltham show close on 15 October, if anyone is interested, get your application form from the web ASAP.

I entered four wines into the Frankston show:
2010 Shiraz (11.5 out of 20!)
2011 Shiraz (Bronze)
2011 Sangiovese Pressings (Bronze)
2011 60%Sangiovese/ 40%Shiraz blend(Bronze)
Three outa four aint bad.

I intend to enter four wines in the Eltham show
2011 Chambourcin based blend
2011 extended fermentation Shiraz
2011 90% Sangiovese/ 10% Shiraz blend
2011 Sangiovese
No 2010 shiraz!

Is anyone else entering?

[arrv]

Hi I am also a home winemaker - in Sydney.

I have about 60L each of Mataro and Cabernet in demijohns.

Already thinking about next year and was wondering if anyone has good sources for grapes for home winemakers near Sydney? - ie looking to purchase probably 500kg or less.

Any suggestions welcomed - this year I purchased grapes from Flemington markets but that is something of a lucky dip.

[saintdne]

How near to Sydney? I know Tinklers(0249987435) in the Hunter sell wine grapes, no doubt others do. You have to ask around at the vineyards.
I think Alex & Jims Wine Grapes (0419828721) deliver direct to Sydney from Berr1.

Good wine comes from good grapes, it is worthwhile trying to develop a direct relationship with a grower rather than rely on Flemington.

[arrv]

Probably looking at people delivering to Sydney as I dont have the capacity to move big numbers of grapes - but I did get 12 boxes in the car pretty easily so maybe there is some chance of getting to the Hunter.

Thanks for the tips - I will have to contact them

[saintdne]

arrv, if your still here
You had earlier asked about sourcing grapes in the Sydney area. There is a guy on ebay offering Chambourcin grapes, pick yourself, in East Kurrajong. If your interested, go to eBay and search 'hand operated grape crusher" and scroll to the bottom.

[arrv]

saintdne - thanks so much - only saw this today and while the ebay sale seems to have finished i did some searching and am making some arrangements.

the season has been a tough one here - and in the hunter - as i was going to get grapes there but it seems they are having trouble ripening

[freddie]

arrv, did you have any luck with the Chambourcin grapes in 2012. I also followed up the ebay reference but no luck with old listings.

Are you aware of other growers in the Hawksbury region that with sell grapes. and are you making wine this year.