The upcoming harvest is a couple months away (yep … July, August … yikes!). Do you have your grapes lined up?
How to find grapes for sale on SHW website
Website traffic gets heavier as harvest approaches. Here are a couple of ways to easily find “grapes for sale” on the Club’s website:
1. On the main navigation bar, hover over “Blog” and a dropdown menu appears. Click on “Grapes Sell / Buy” and “the “Grapes Sell / Buy” blog posts show up in reverse chronological order; or
2. If you’re looking for a particular varietal, such as ZINFANDEL, use the Search function (on right side of screen under logo), and any blog post containing the word that you’ve entered will pop up.
Group Buys and Crushes
There are several group buys and crushes that are currently accepting buyers. Often, a group buy is when multiple buyers pool together to meet the minimum tonnage that the grower requires. This combined buying power provides access to grapes that might not otherwise be available to smaller quantity buyers. A group crush is when a group or grower comes together for a “community” crush so that buyers usually don’t need to use / procure individual crushers. Below is a list of current group buys / crushes. Some are time or quantity sensitive; please contact the coordinators.
Group Buy – Petite Sirah, Luna Vista Vineyard in Clement, Borden Hills. $1 per lb.; no minimum. Contact: Thad Rodgers: thadrodgers1@gmail.com or (916) 715-3688.
Group Crush – Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon, Great Bear Vineyards in Davis. $1 lb. / 100 lb. minimum. Contact: Marcus at 530 574 1516 or email greatbearvineyards@gmail.com.
Group Crush – Cabernet Sauvignon. Great Bear Vineyards in Davis. $1 lb. / 100 lb. minimum. Contact: Marcus at 530 574 1516 or email greatbearvineyards@gmail.com.
Group Crush – Chardonnay, Roussanne, Tempranillo. Great Bear Vineyards in Davis. $1.50 lb. / 100 lb. minimum. Contact: Marcus at 530 574 1516 or email greatbearvineyards@gmail.com.
Equipment Certification
The Club has wine making equipment that members can use. While there’s no charge for using the equipment. a cleaning deposit is required and refundable when the equipment is returned on time, thoroughly cleaned, and in good working order. Before borrowing Cub equipment, members should be certified in the safe use, cleaning and care for the Club’s destemmer-crusher and press. This training is offered at Winemaking 101 (Saturday, August 10 in Granite Bay). Contact WM 101 Coordinator Joe McGillivray at 916-261-9438 or WM101@sachomewine.com to let him know that you’re interested in the equipment certification training.
Be Respectful
Buying grapes is a business agreement; growers are depending on you. Help home winemakers maintain their good reputation with growers. If you make a commitment to a grower, follow through and make things right. If you are participating in a group buy or group crush and can’t make the crush, send someone in your place to get your grapes plus to help crush and clean. Don’t flop around changing quantities (especially at the last minute) expecting the coordinator to pick up the difference – word gets around! Pay for your ordered grapes even if you can’t pick them up.
