Have you ever wondered how winemakers transform grapes into wine? Learn about everything that comes after harvest and see how each step goes into making your favorite sips!

In the winemaking process each step involves a variety of important decisions that influence the wine's final style and quality. 

1. Harvest

Grape harvest happens between August and October. The exact timing depends on the grape variety, desired wine style, and vineyard conditions. Factors like grape color, weather, sugar levels, and acidity also influence when a winery decides it is time to harvest! 

2. Destemming and Crushing

Stems are removed, and grapes are crushed to release their juice and skins. 

3. Fermentation

Yeast is added to the grape juice, converting its sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide. 

• Alcoholic Fermentation: The primary fermentation that produces alcohol.
• Malolactic Conversion: A secondary fermentation, more common in red wines, that converts malic acid to lactic acid for a softer texture.

4. Clarification/Filtration

The wine is cleared of solids through settling, racking, and filtration.

4. Aging and Bottling

 After step 4, if the wine is not aged it is bottled. Aging the wine is optional and depends on the type and style of wine. Aging occurs in barrels, stainless steel tanks, or even in the bottle. 

Difference in Reds and Whites

• Red Wine: Red wine is fermented with the grape skins and seeds, which give the wine color and more tannins.
• White Wine: The juice is separated from the skins and seeds before fermentation, which results in a lighter wine.
  • Only white wines that are oaked go through Malolactic conversion.

The more you know! Be sure to check out our other blogs, to keep learning more about the winemaking process!