We went back to Rainsong winery to sample wines, visit with friends, enjoy potluck, and to bottle a barrel of red, this year a generic combination of merlot, cabernet, and pinot noir. The weather was in the last throes of summer: clear sky, warm, a lovely day, perfect for a drive and a party. We arrived about noon.
The vintner, Mike, had already unplugged the barrel and draped a Tygon tube to the filling trough.
After most of the crew had arrived, Mike told us again about the procedure, and pointed out the pressing barrels, which have bladders in their centers that squeeze grapes against the sides for a more efficient result than bottom squeezing, as screw presses do.
So much for barefoot virgins. In short supply anyway, here, given our ages generally.
We gathered in position, and the wine started flowing.
Filling bottles.
Corking.
Labeling.
Martha Lewis designed the labels.
Twenty-five cases later, potluck.
The wine is a little rough to start but if you let it air out, it improves greatly. Like a lot of us.
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