Hello follow wine makers.   The fermentation process has stated and this Saturday on October 1st, 12 AM we will be pressing the grapes into a French Oak barrel.   Join us!

1. We completed with the de-steammer.  2. Grapes are then placed in a fermentation tank for a week, this will allow the yeast to multiply.   The yeast is what converts the sugars in the grapes into alcohol.    3. We will then press the grapes to get all of the juice out of them and into an oak barrel.   4.  The wine will continue to develop and mature in wood casks.          Petite Sirah grapes are also due to arrive on Thursday Oct. 29th, so we get started with fermentation Saturday afternoon.  

October 22 Wine List - Presentation on Pinot Noir

Trapiche Vineyards - 2013 Argentina

Matua -  2014 New Zealand

Block Nine Caiden's Vineyards - 2015 California

Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster - 2015 Oregon

Santa Giada  -2015 Italy

Adega Mae  - 2016 Portugal 

Louis Jadot Bourgogne - 2016 France 

Gruet Sparkling Wine - 100% Pinot Noir New Mexico

THE GRAPES ARE IN !!!  They just arrived.  We need folks to help with phase 1, it should not take more than 1 or 2 hrs.  The quicker we get the grapes started on fermentation, better the wine.  
   Saturday morning is available @ 11 AM.   Can we get some volunteers? 


Changes to upcoming meeting:

September 22 – We decided to go global on the Pinot Noir. Lets see which regions appeals to your senses.
October 20 - Presenting some of the in house wines reserves and Halloween treats.

Comedy Night at Make Wine With Us

Saturday September 17^th @ 8 PM   - $20     For more information visit http://www.makewinetasting.com

If you’re interested in learning how grapes becomes wine.... join us and be part of the learning process of wine making from beginning to end.   The American Wine Society is fortunate to be able to experience and learn from it.  The steps include; choosing the grapes, wine crushing, wine pressing, wine racking, and finally bottling their very own special vintage of homemade wine complete with their personalized wine label.   

This harvest there are only 2 barrels.  The group majority were on choosing the following grapes:  

 # 1 -Old Vine Zinfandel   

 # 2 -Petite Sarah  

Both of these varietals will be aged in French Oak barrels which helps it adds a velvet soft taste to the varietals' character.    

Notes: According to the Wine Institute Organization of California. The 2015 year forecast assures California vintners and grape growers across the state will have another stellar vintage. Despite a lighter crop—compared to last year.    These particular grapes come from the Lodi Region of California and current conditions for this years' crop is slated to be high quality fruit.

- As before, I will hand out claim tickets for your case.  

- Funds are due by end of October.  

- I will send out an email to interested individuals when the grapes are scheduled to come in for crushing. 

- This year we will not need to stomp on the grapes  :-)

Please send me an email if you have questions. 

Thanks again 

AWS Team.

I have been asked about the availability of  Four Secrets Sparkling Shiraz.  This is available at Stew Lenard's at the Clifton Store.          

You need to ask for it as they keep it off the shelve and exclusive for the AWS Meadowlands crew.  Cost about $16 per bottle, they still have some left.  

Server well chilled!   

We also like to Thanks John and Felicia for the wonderful Pool party this past weekend.   The BBQ and food was fantastic!   And yes the best spots were the ones by pool side... especially this very hot weekend.  

AWS Meadowlands Chapter

We like to Thank everyone who came to the American Wine Society wine bottling, we had a fantastic turnout!   The final product of all 3 of these wine barrels were fantastic!   All cases of wine were claimed by members and friends.   A very enthusiastic and energetic crew... Thank you all for making this event so much fun!

Due to popular demand the following wines are on the list for 2016 harvest from California.  We will be making an Old Vine Zinfandel  & a barrel of  Petite Sirah varietals. We are also fortunate to be using French oak barrels, this helps to give the each of these wine added layers of complexity in aroma and flavor.

All of the grapes will come from Lodi California.  Warm temperatures are predicted through the first part of September, this will help the wine grape harvest in the Lodi region of the San Joaquin Valley to continue to progress nicely according to reports from Stuart Spencer, program manager for the Lodi Winegrape Commission.  The 2016 crops may be of low yield due to on going drought but excellent quality.  So don't miss out and let me know if your like to have any cases from these new batch.  

JOIN US and be part of the wine making process.  This is a fantastic way of learning about wines.   I will send out an email in advance when the grapes are scheduled to come in so that you can part take in the process and learn more about wines from beginning to end.

Thanks to all who participated
Quality Assurance team: John, Felicia, Vince, Grace, Dotty, Lynn, Eileen, Elena, Cherilyn, Carol, Nana, Ismeny, Maria
Case and Bottle Label Management team: Karry, Nancy, Denise, Miriam, Grace, Felicia, Phil
Cork Station Engineers: Rodney, Nana, Dan and company
Filling Station Managers: Tim, Hermis, John, Dan