The urban winery is a recent phenomenon whereby a winemaker chooses to locate his or her wine making facility in an urban setting within a city rather than in the traditional rural setting on or near the vineyards. Grapes are grown in a remote location then transported to the urban facility for crushing, fermentation and aging. […]
The Successful Winery: Five Top Factors; Five Top Challenges
A recent survey conducted by the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University identified the top five success factors and five top challenges for a successful winery. The research, conducted in the Spring of 2011, included responses from 149 wineries, of which 90% were in California. In terms of size, 59% of the wineries produced […]
Vine to Wine: An Overview of the Winemaking Process
Grapes are picked when they reach ripeness. In the weeks and days preceding harvest, the grapes are tested regularly for sugar content (brix). This is usually carried out in the vineyard. The grower, often working closely with the winemaker (unless they are the same person), walks down rows of vines taking grape samples from clusters […]