I am pleased to announce that WineMaker Magazine has agreed to continue our previous relationship, and provide a generous discount of 50% to members of Sacramento Home Winemakers. This discount applies to WineMaker+ membership that includes special online access to thousands of expert-reviewed winemaking articles and techniques. Members that join with this special offer will…
With the 2026 Harvest season behind us, Lodi Wine Labs has adjusted their pick-up schedule and hours. Please see the post Harvest Courier Hours for Lodi Wine Labs listed below: Courier Services and Sample Drop-Off Locations Courier Pickup Schedule COURIER SERVICES TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS Please see below for current pickup locations and cutoff times. To…
Folsom Lake College has returned from their summer hiatus and is resuming their testing. Effective August 24, 2026, there will be new testing days and hours in which you can drop off your samples: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Winemakers can drop off their samples at Folsom Lake College’s El Dorado Center…
Last Wednesday, September 16, 2026, Tina Valenzuela from Laffort USA, visited us for our monthly meeting. She gave SHW members an informative and lively presentation, addressing the development of mouthfeel in our wines, whether naturally, or as a correction. Tina has generously shared her presentation with us providing members the opportunity to view. Additionally, this…
Aaron Larson, PhD, winemaker and co-owner of Raven’s Reach Winery (Sutter Creek, CA), gave a presentation to SHW members, on blending common and lesser-known varietals. Aaron has graciously shared his presentation with us for use as a reference for blending and includes a list of unusual varietals grown in California. The techniques he uses, and…
Wondering if your wine has VA? We now can test for acetic acid using the Sentia Wine Analyzer! Seems like there might be some residual sugar? We can test that also with glucose and fructose strips! Currently we have test strips for free SO2, Malic Acid, Acetic Acid, Glucose, Fructose and Titratable Acidity (TA). All…
