HOME MADE WINE

People have asked me whether I make home made wine. As attractive as that concept is to me, I do not. One major reason is the space needed. However, another major reason is the skill (and luck) needed to produce a quality wine.

I do, however, have many fond memories of family members making wine when I was a kid, back in the 1950’s and 1960’s. The press pictured in the picture is very similar to the wine presses my relatives used to use. This one, however, is a cider press. It is displayed in the building where I work by the Historical Society.

When it was first put out for display, I stopped and stared at it, almost in stunned silence. A member of the Historical Society saw me and guessed that I was puzzled as to what that contraption was. I responded that I knew exactly what it was as my family used to use such devices to make wine. She responded that I was close, but that this was a cider press.

In any event, I remember how exciting it was in the Fall, when pallets of grapes would be delivered to my grandparents’ house. Of course, we kids would pick off some of the grapes and eat them! Then for the next couple of weeks the great task of crushing the grapes would take place. There would be tubs into which the juice would flow. The crushed grapes would be set aside for a second and maybe third pressing in order to extract as much juice as possible. It was a real treat to be allowed to turn the handle of the press.

My memory is fuzzy now, but I think there was a step involved before the liquid would be poured into the barrel. Anyway, it was always a thrill when it got to that step and then the wait would begin for the wine to age. I remember that it was always handled with great delicacy because you could not shake or stir up the wine too much or it would be ruined.

The barrels were a ritual in themselves. I remember that there was a particular individual in my town who used to sell barrels from his house. I remember there was trading of barrels and discussions of the quality of them. I think they were generally used whisky barrels, but I am not sure of that point. I think that the taps were made of wood and were home made. That also fascinated me.

Finally, when the wine was ready, it would be transferred into gallon jugs made of glass. Many gallons would be given away as a source of pride. For many months afterwards, the homemade wine would be served in homes throughout the Town until the grapes would be delivered again the next fall.

This is all written from memory by a person who hasn’t seen this process for more than 40 years. I would certainly enjoy hearing from anybody who can fill in any details about the process or has any similar stories to share.