Honig Napa 2022 Recipe

Winemaking Process

1. 1

   Harvesting Grapes

   Begin by harvesting ripe Chardonnay grapes. Ensure the grapes are free from rot and disease, and that they are at optimal sugar levels for fermentation.

2. 2

   Crushing Grapes

   Crush the harvested grapes in a clean, sanitized crushing machine to release their juice. Collect the juice in a fermentation vessel.

3. 3

   Adding Water

   Dilute the crushed grape juice with 20 liters of clean water to achieve the desired juice consistency for fermentation.

4. 4

   Inoculating Yeast

   Add 10 grams of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast to the fermentation vessel. This will kickstart the fermentation process, converting sugars into alcohol.

5. 5

   Adding Malolactic Bacteria

   After the initial fermentation has started, introduce 5 grams of malolactic bacteria to the mixture to enhance the wine's flavor profile.

6. 6

   Monitoring Fermentation

   Allow the mixture to ferment for approximately 2-3 weeks, monitoring temperature and sugar levels regularly. Maintain a temperature of around 18-20°C.

7. 7

   Adding Sulfites

   Once fermentation is complete, add 3 grams of sulfites (potassium metabisulfite) to stabilize the wine and prevent spoilage.

8. 8

   Racking the Wine

   Carefully siphon the wine off the sediment into another clean vessel, leaving behind the solids. This process is known as racking.

9. 9

   Aging

   Allow the wine to age in a cool, dark place for 6-12 months in stainless steel tanks or oak barrels, depending on the desired flavor profile.

10. 10

    Bottling

    After aging, bottle the wine in clean, sanitized bottles. Seal with corks or caps and label them for future enjoyment.