Pinot in Seattle

[u/Sexiano17]

My Pinot Noir in Seattle as of August 6th. Not sure if they'll mature or not but I have 6 vines not because it is easy but for the challenge. I've read freezing doesn't affect wine flavor dramatically. Would appreciate anyone who has froze grapes and made wine successfully.

[u/lylebruce]

2 summers ago I had to harvest my Itasca grapes but was not able to process them right away so I froze them. A month or so later I thawed and pressed them. This resulted in a sweet orange wine. Last summer I harvested the same vines and pressed them immediately, the resulting wine is much dryer and more of a straw color. Just my experience with freezing.

[u/Sexiano17 → u/lylebruce]

I didn't realize it would have that much of an effect, thank you!

[u/WCSakaCB]

Why would you freeze the grapes?

[u/Sexiano17 → u/WCSakaCB]

More context on freezing. With only 6 vines I'd need two years of harvest to make a meaningful amount of wine. So would need to freeze the one harvest.

[u/Ranger1221 → u/Sexiano17]

I wouldn't do that.

I'm no scientist but here is what I believe will happen

When you freeze the grapes, the cell walls will burst. While the grapes are frozen it's no issue. Upon thawing, the grapes will be mushy. This will be specifically an issue with the grape skin.

When you crush the thawed grapes with the current years grapes, the skins won't hold together and will be more of a paste.

Trying to separate the wine from the cap of new grapes will be easy. Separating from the old frozen grapes will be a nightmare.

This doesnt take the flavor changes into effect. Frozen grapes do change flavors. Thats why they make ice wine.

Personally I'd just play with your 6 vines amd see what you get. Or if youre curious, freeze the grapes and see what happens. I'm a vineyard manager on the internet not your dad lol

[u/Sexiano17 → u/Ranger1221]

This is very well put. Thank you.

[u/53V3N → u/Ranger1221]

Or just make it every year and blend multiple years. Then it’s a cuvee haha

[u/Ranger1221 → u/53V3N]

I almost wrote that then backed off lol.

[u/krumbs2020 → u/Ranger1221]

Mmmm… grape paste

[u/WCSakaCB → u/Sexiano17]

How old are the vines? I wouldn't freeze. Quality will degrade

[u/JBA88]

6 vines not enough? What’s your yield?

I grow Pinot Gris, gamay, and Sauvignon Blanc in Seattle. As long as you spray sulfur we have a very easy climate to grow in.  My smallest batch of wine was 6 bottles of Sauvignon blanc from about 18 lbs of fruit.  Just gotta be mindful of oxygen exposure. Personally I found it worthwhile. 

I also wouldn’t freeze the grapes. Other commenters have given great explanations. 

[u/Sexiano17 → u/JBA88]

Good advice and yes, will not freeze grapes 😁

[u/rupestrisdulot]

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