Greetings From the Wine Maker - March 20th, 2008
Hello to all of you fellow wine enthusiasts! It has been a productive and exciting year for Firelands Winery. The warm summer weather has given us a fine crop and I expect to start harvesting by mid-September. The sugar levels are right on target with a good acidity level that will enable us to produce another year of superb wines!
At this time of the year I make weekly trips to the island where our vineyards are located and, in a few weeks, the vineyard manager and I will have started to assess the crop. We are just a few weeks away from harvest and the expectation of a wonderful vintage!
This year we have continued to add new and exciting selections to our Italian wine collection. We continue to find small wineries producing estate bottled wines to give you a ‘true taste of Italy!”
Our signature Firelands wines continue to win accolades and awards. Firelands Pinot Grigio was featured on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” Jerald O’Kennard of the Beverage Testing Institute recommended only two Pinot Grigio wines, one from California and Firelands Pinot Grigio.
In the 2005 International Eastern Wine Competition (sponsored by Vineyard & Winery Management), Firelands Pinot Grigio was awarded a Gold Medal out of 2113 entries from 36 states, three provinces of Canada, and 10 countries. Firelands Pinot Grigio was also awarded Gold/Best of Class at the 2005 Pacific Rim International Wine Competition held in San Bernardino, California.
Adding to the list of award winning Firelands wines is our Firelands Riesling that was awarded a Gold Medal in the prestigious 2005 San Francisco International Wine Competition held in San Francisco. We have many more award winners…too many to list here–so be sure to stop in and see for yourself what makes our wine so special!
As these accolades and awards attest, Firelands Winery is committed to making the very best wine and in helping those of you at home to do the same! Here’s to another great year in the “Firelands” of Ohio.
Cheers - Salute’
Home Winemaker’s Class - Coming Fall 2008
Firelands Winery welcomes novice and experts alike to our annual home winemaker’s workshop. Whether you have made wine before or are thinking about giving it a try, this class is for you! Winemaster Claudio will guide you step by step through the winemaking process. He will direct you in purchasing the ingredients and supplies needed, share winemaking techniques to help you avoid the most commonly made mistakes, and answer any questions you may have. This is a fun and informative “free” class, but space is limited and the class fills quickly! For reservations please call 1-800-548-WINE (9463).
Winemaking Supplies Available
Firelands Winery continues to supply everything you need to make great wines at home. All of the winemaking supplies, products, and chemicals that Winemaster Claudio uses to make his Award Winning Wines are available for you to create your own signature vintage!
Sparkoloid - used for clarifying $1.55
Cheese cloth 2.75
Campden tablets - used to stop fermentation 1.55
Hydrometer 6.95Pectic enzyme - breaks down the fruit pectin 1.80
Hydrometer Jar 3.00
Yeast energizer - aids in stuck or slow fermentation 2.90
Large Fermentation Bag 6.50
Stabilizer - prevents re-fermentation in sweetened wines 3.25
Small Fermentation Bag 4.75
Bentonite - Clarifying agent 1.10
Corks - 30cnt. 8.95
Vinometer - measures alcohol 4.75Synthetic Corks - 30cnt. 7.50
Siphon kit - aids in racking 6.95
Recipe Handbook 2.75Glass Carboys 3 gal. 15.95
5 gal. 18.95
6.5 gal. 21.95
Auto Siphon 10.95
Corkers 26.95 - 39.95Vin Brite Filter 39.95
Citric Acid- Balances acid deficiency 2.25
Carboy Brush 5.75
Yeast Nutrient - aids in fermentation-feeds the yeast 4.25
Carboy Handle 5.95
Grape Tannin-adds character/complexity to white wines 1.80
Wooden Spigots 4.95-7.95
Divergan-clarifying agent 2.70
Stoppers .60-2.25
Synthetic Corks 7.50Yeast-for fermentation .75
Universal Carboy Bung .70
Oak Chips - adds oak Characteristic 1.90
Airlocks .95
Mary’s Recipe Book 5.25
Tartaric acid (4oz.) - balances acid 3.25
Home Wine Glass 9.00
Juice Availability - Mid-September to Mid-October
Juice from our vineyards is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call early to confirm availability and place your order. Leave your name and phone number, along with the amount and type of juice you need. We will call you when your juice is available. Remember we offer an 8% discount on 50 gallons or more!
Catawba mid-September
Chardonnay late-September
Concord late-September
Gewurz late-September
Pinot Gris late-SeptemberRiesling (CA.) late-September
Delaware late-September
Cabernet Sauvignon Grapes (lb.) late-September
Niagara late-September
Rosette late-September
Red Blend late-September
Be Sure to Set These Dates Aside…
We have some exciting activities planned for you!
December 13, 2008 Annual Holiday Open House
Coming February 2009 Annual Wine & Chocolate Open House
