The winemaking class today was a smaller group, but we had lots of good discussion and covered a lot of ground. Here is the PowerPoint presentation I used for today.

Bill English

The phone number at Artesian Barrels is 510-339-0170. Marie's cell phone is 510-384-8794. The prior post had the web site. Check it out and if you need barrels, order soon to be sure you get the discount and to be sure you get what you want for the fall. If you want to talk about what you should be getting for your wine plans, email me or call me over the weekend at 254-6958. I am traveling this week on business byt will be back Friday night.

Bill

I have been buying my barrels directly from an importer, Artisan Barrels, http://www.artisanbarrels.com . The French and Hungarian barrles offered by MoreWine come through them, but MoreWine adds a mark up. It is cheaper and you get a better selection by buying direct, although the barrels must be picked up at the warehouse in American Canyon (just south of Napa). Now for the better part. LWGA members will get a discount by mentioning that you are a member of the Lamorinda Winegrowers Association. The amount of the discount will depend on the number of barrels ordered, so we wont know until the orders are in. Ask for Marie. She has a wonderful, but a little hard to follow, French accent. Mention I referred you to be sure. To get the discount we should get orders in soon, like this week or next. If you need new barrels for the fall order them now. They are not in stock so they need to be ordered, made and shipped here before the harvest. Now you can order anything and it gets here end July. In August you get whatever they (or anyone else) has available. They represent 3 French barrel makers, one Hungarian and have barrls made from American oak but to French barrel standards.

It is wise for our association to have a clear contract between growers and winemakers. I have attached a sample contract,obtained from the California winegrower association, not every entry applies to us, but it will give you a good idea of what are the things you need to know about. If you have any questions, please call me Susan Captain 925-899-0703

Note updated link for registering below:

These classes are given at captain vineyards through the Moraga park and recreation, Starting in March
WS10 Pruning & Training 3/23
WS10 Pruning & Training 3/30
WS10 Canopy Management 5/18
WS10 Canopy Management 5/25
WS10 Sugar Testing/Harvesting 8/24
WS10 Sugar Testing/Harvesting 8/31
Please call Moraga Parks and recreation at 925-888-7045 OR register on line at
https://secure.rec1.com/CA/moraga-parks-recreation/depreg.php

If you have the time at least watch the first 15 minutes.
http://www.mycorrhizae.com/index.php?cid=528&