The Wine Press, North Haven

Our cabertnet was ready for bottling!

It’s been almost two years since a group of us gathered at The Wine Press to de-stem and crush the grapes that were harvested in central California. During the two years, we gathered periodically at the large modern facility in North Haven for the incredibly fun four-step process to make both wine and memories. The result: 20 cases of our very own homemade wine, camaraderie and lots of new friends.

Let me back up and explain. The second step in the wine-making process happened a few weeks after the crush. At that time, we pressed the juice from our grapes and transferred it into our oak barrel that was stored in The Wine Press’s climate-controlled barrel room where it would sit undisturbed for about four month and begin to naturally ferment. About four months later we returned to “rack” the wine: we emptied the “wine” from our barrel to remove the sediment, clean the barrel and return the liquid to the barrel where it continued to develop. Our group opted to keep our wine in the barrel for an extra year.

We just met in late August to finally bottle, taste the fruits of our labor and catch up – as many of us only see each other during the process. We were encouraged – and always did so — to bring nibbles and other libations, making a party out of each step.

The Wine Press provides everything from start to finish, plus a dose of friendship with prices starting at $2450 to make a barrel of wine (240 bottles) or 20 cases of your very own vino to enjoy or give at gifts. The Wine Press offers a wide variety of grapes to choose from:

The reds include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir Petit Syrah; the whites include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio.

If you’re interested, the Wine Press currently has wine tastings and tours from 5 pm  to 7 pm on Monday and Tuesday. I’d recommend calling ahead to be sure they are open.  The making of wine is a memory-making fun process, worth every penny of the investment!

– bonnie