Comments on: Quick Tip – Economy of Scale http://homemadewine.wordpress.com/2008/03/15/quick-tip-economy-of-scale/ You don't need grapes to make great wine Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:41:35 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Scott http://homemadewine.wordpress.com/2008/03/15/quick-tip-economy-of-scale/#comment-97 Scott Sat, 07 Jun 2008 00:20:33 +0000 http://homemadewine.wordpress.com/?p=62#comment-97 Craig, Thanks for the comments. You didn't mention that the cost of the equipment for making 70 gallons. You are now in a completely different league for everything. My $10 plastic fermenter would need to be replaced with a stainless steel conical or some other pricey space hog. I'm even thinking of scaling down to 5-gallons because 6-gallons is pretty heavy and my back has been giving me problems. By the way, Lum had published a winemaking guide that was available free online. I found it very helpful in my beginning days. I just did a quick search and it's still there at http://www.geocities.com/lumeisenman/. (You probably knew this, I mentioned it for my other readers.) Craig,
Thanks for the comments. You didn’t mention that the cost of the equipment for making 70 gallons. You are now in a completely different league for everything. My $10 plastic fermenter would need to be replaced with a stainless steel conical or some other pricey space hog.

I’m even thinking of scaling down to 5-gallons because 6-gallons is pretty heavy and my back has been giving me problems.

By the way, Lum had published a winemaking guide that was available free online. I found it very helpful in my beginning days. I just did a quick search and it’s still there at http://www.geocities.com/lumeisenman/. (You probably knew this, I mentioned it for my other readers.)

]]> By: Craig Justice http://homemadewine.wordpress.com/2008/03/15/quick-tip-economy-of-scale/#comment-96 Craig Justice Fri, 06 Jun 2008 23:37:41 +0000 http://homemadewine.wordpress.com/?p=62#comment-96 When I was about to make my first batch of wine from grapes, my mentor Lum Eisenman advised, "Don't make a small batch -- it's easier to spoil." So we went out and bought a 1/2 ton of grapes and ended up with 70 gallons. That was a bit much! For me, 15 gallons (or about 200 lbs. - 250 lbs) is the perfect micro batch size. Here's why: 1) I can fit 200 - 250 lbs of grapes in my car (I don't have a pick up truck) 2) 15-gallons fits into a beer keg (which is easy to wheel around); 3) 200 - 250 lbs. of must (crushed grapes) fits into one 33-gallon food grade Brute fermenter. 4) I can divide the batch into 3 @ 5-gallon carboys if needed (as you mention -- easy enough to lug around). I've found that making a 15-gallon batch is "fun" -- whereas a 200 gallon batch "is a lot of work." Craig Justice, Blue-Merle Winery. When I was about to make my first batch of wine from grapes, my mentor Lum Eisenman advised, “Don’t make a small batch — it’s easier to spoil.” So we went out and bought a 1/2 ton of grapes and ended up with 70 gallons. That was a bit much!
For me, 15 gallons (or about 200 lbs. – 250 lbs) is the perfect micro batch size. Here’s why: 1) I can fit 200 – 250 lbs of grapes in my car (I don’t have a pick up truck) 2) 15-gallons fits into a beer keg (which is easy to wheel around); 3) 200 – 250 lbs. of must (crushed grapes) fits into one 33-gallon food grade Brute fermenter. 4) I can divide the batch into 3 @ 5-gallon carboys if needed (as you mention — easy enough to lug around). I’ve found that making a 15-gallon batch is “fun” — whereas a 200 gallon batch “is a lot of work.” Craig Justice, Blue-Merle Winery.

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