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August 2007 Contra Costa Wine Group
Newsletter
Last months’ meeting was held on a fantastic
evening at the home of George and Pam Rammell. The view from their
pool deck was wonderful. The hors d’oeuvres were great and I want
to make sure that Bud and Babe Busick are mentioned as helping out
with the set-up and hors d’oeuvres. The turnout, unfortunately, was
low at a total of only 28 members showing up. It must be the time
of the year or something(?) Thanks to you all for supporting the
group for this great meeting.
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Mike Orton, of The Valley Vintner in
Dublin, put on a demonstration of his new
vacuum pumps for handling wine. The three setups he demonstrated
were racking, filtering and bottling. These pumps treat the wine
extremely gently as they never touch the wine and the wine is not
exposed to oxygen, thus preventing oxidation. CCWG members Rex
Johnston, John Fike and I have already purchased one of these great
pumps (and accessories) for handling their wine. There are several
other members that have expressed the thought that they too intend
to acquire at least a portion of this system to help handle their
wine. Mike reminded me to tell the membership that a 10% discount
is available on the purchase of one of these pumps.
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Here are a few items that may be of interest to
members of the Contra Costa Wine Group:
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Hi Alan, I have a Kubota BX1800 compact tractor
for sale. I am asking $5000, I just upgraded to a larger model.
Could you forward to members. Thanks, Vincent (Vinny)
Sciortino
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Please post / distribute to your members:
CABERNET SAUVIGNON. ALEXANDER
VALLEY. HILLSIDE/
BENCHLAND. RESERVE QUALITY. AWARD-WINNING. We are a small
hillside vineyard located in the northwest hill region of
Alexander Valley,
Sonoma
County. We primarily grow Cabernet
Sauvignon for local commercial wineries for their reserve programs
-> $40+ per bottle. Since I started out as a home-winemaker, I
always hold back a few tons to sell to other novice winemakers.
Currently, I have 3,750 lbs. that remain available for sale. The
vineyards are professionally managed. The vines are deficit-drip
irrigated, achieving stress and therefore yielding quality. Leaves
are pulled for optimal sun exposure. Crop is thinned to a low 3.5
tons/ acre. Grape size is small to medium-small. Resulting wine
has the following characteristics: Deep, inky colored, “Fruit-
forward” with complex dark berry tastes. PRICE/ TERMS: $1.35/lb.
picked $1.20/lb. u-pick. 400 lbs minimum. Price discount with >
1200 lbs. orders. Contract with deposit required. Buyer picks-up
order or arranges delivery. A new state-of-the-art crusher/destemmer
is available on site for your complimentary use. I invite you to
make a site visit and sample some of my previous vintages, giving
you an idea of the quality grapes we strive to cultivate here.
Great wine can only originate from great grapes. Impress your
friends, family and yourself with your own great wine produced in
your home winery.
Contact: Ron at (707) 894-9181 or
WhatsUpDocs@earthlink.net
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Alan: Thanks for taking the time to chat w/me
re: my grapes. I have 150 plants and should have about 400-500 lbs
this season. Just became grandparents and don’t have time to make
the wine myself. The vineyard has been managed by Jose Zepeda, who
works for Wente, and he has overseen my operation for the past 4
years. I would be interested in doing a 50/50 deal or sell the crop
for $0.75-$1.00 lb. Any assistance you can lend would be greatly
appreciated. Dennis Stokes,
135 Jay Ln, Alamo,
CA
94507 Phone: 925-314-0525
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A note from Barbara Bentley: Hi Al, Ingraham/Hussey
took Best of Show at the Napa Home Winemaker's Classic with their
Gewürztraminer - I don't remember what year, but I think it was the
2006. They also got another award - this time I don't remember the
wine, let alone the year. (Note: I tried to contact them both today
but no answer at both homes.) This is the second year in a row that
CCWG got Best of Show. We did it last year. This year we got a
third place for our 2004 Petite Verdot and a second place for our
2006 Late Harvest Gewurztraminer. The attendance was down, as was
the home winemaker participation. But thankfully the weather was
mild. One year we melted in the heat. Cheers, Barbara
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Here’s a note that I received via our website:
Hi Alan, I am a fellow winemaker who created
an Excel spreadsheet to help me quickly and easily calculate the
amount of raw materials and additives during the winemaking process.
My desire is make this FREE tool available to other winemakers to
help them in their winemaking.
My hope is that you will add my site on your “Links” page. If you
do, I would be happy to do the same on my end. Here is the URL:
http://home.carolina.rr.com/winemaking/free.htm I look forward
to hearing from you. Best regards, Gary Flye,
Charlotte,
North Carolina
Note: I returned a response to
Gary
about converting some of his calculations to grams or ounces instead
of teaspoons. I also asked if he could work up a tab that would
allow different wines with different pHs to be blended together with
proportions to achieve a desired pH. He responded that he would
work something up for his next revision. It’s a decent website and
worth a look. Al T.
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Here’s a note from Cherie Lyle regarding our
next “meeting” Sunday, August 19, 2007 Barbecue/Picnic,
3:00 p.m. until approximately 7:00 p.m.
Al - Carl and I would be delighted to offer the
winery as a venue for the CCWG’s annual barbecue/picnic. We can
offer 5 picnic tables under the large Heritage Oak tree, and about
30 green plastic patio chairs. We will provide a gas and charcoal
grill (Note: Carl actually told me later that he’s buying another
propane grill as well), and some folding tables for the food
serving. (Some Deer Ridge Vineyards wine will be poured for our
enjoyment!) Since the winery won't be officially open yet (still
don't have the needed approvals), we can start at any time-- we
don't have to wait for our tasting room to close to be legal. This
will just be considered a private party at our residence on the
site. Here are directions -- Deer Ridge Vineyards,
1828 Wetmore Road, Livermore,
CA Carl and Cherie Lyle - Carl's cell
phone: 510 703-1597.
DIRECTIONS: FROM
THE NORTH (Alameda
County is South
of Contra Costa County!)
Take Highway I-680 South to I-580 East heading towards
Stockton. Take the
North Livermore Road exit. Proceed south
on North Livermore Rd.
As you get through downtown
Livermore
at First Street,
the road’s name will change to
South Livermore Road. Continue on
South Livermore Road to the corner of Concannon
- a traffic light intersection. Turn RIGHT on Concannon and
continue about 1 mile to
Arroyo Road. Turn LEFT (South) on Arroyo
Road-- heading towards Wente Golf Course. At the corner of Arroyo
and Wetmore, there is a 3-way stop sign, and the historic "Olivina"
gate. Turn right onto
Wetmore Road, and the winery entrance is on
the right-- it’s a big yellow building.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Everyone should bring their own folding chairs in case more than 30
people show up. Everyone needs to bring at least one bottle of
their very best wine, or if you haven’t made any wine yet, an
interesting wine that you think the attendees might enjoy. Ask
Carl or Cherie in their tasting room how you go about purchasing at
least one bottle of wine! Purchasing many more bottles of
Deer Ridge Vineyards wine is also highly encouraged! Everyone
is responsible for their own entrée (Steak, hamburgers, chicken,
etc., etc.). Members whose last name starts with A thru F
are to bring an appetizer and bread, enough for around 15 servings.
Members whose last name starts with G thru O are to
bring a salad, enough for around 15 servings. Members whose last
name starts with P thru Z are to bring a dessert,
enough for around 15 servings. Don’t forget plates, condiments,
napkins and especially a corkscrew and wine glasses!
Come one, come all. Bring your friends and
relatives. They are more than welcome. The weather will, I’m sure,
be great, but I highly recommend at least a light jacket for an
early evening in the
Livermore Valley.
Speaking of ANNUAL DUES,
they’re just around the corner! The attendees at the July meeting
voted to continue the CCWG Annual Dues at $45.00. Your dues will
again include a years’ subscription to WineMaker Magazine. (If
you’re a new member, be sure to let me know if you are a current
subscriber to WineMaker Magazine or not.) The delinquency date for
dues will again be September 30th as in years past. Dues
received after that date will incur a $10.00 late penalty that was
voted on by the membership a couple of years ago. Bring your check
for $45.00, made out to the “Contra Costa Wine Group” to the
barbecue/picnic at Deer Ridge Vineyards. If you can’t make it on
the 19th, I would encourage you to mail your check
posthaste to: Mr. Lee Wines,
1105 West K St.,
Benicia,
CA 94510.
Again, the
date for the annual barbecue is Sunday, August 19, 2007 from 3:00
p.m. until around 7:00 p.m. at Deer Ridge Vineyards.
See you at the barbecue/picnic on the 19th!
Respectfully submitted,
Al Turner, Secretary, Contra Costa Wine
Group, 925-837-9384
p.s. Mike Orton is training me to become the
Webmaster for ccwinegroup.com
If you have any input, please let me know. al t.
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