TVP: What is your winemaking philosophy
VINNY: I am not sure I would consider having a personal winemaking philosophy per se but rather a dogged determination to do what is necessary to make sure the precious cargo I am in charge of handling is properly nurtured and inevitably steered toward a life of consequence. To summarize, I tend to pick a bit early, sort when necessary, instigate fermentations, gas head space, top barrels religiously, eschew fining and sterile filter only when necessary.
Vinny Aliperti at the grape press
Video review Celsius Wine
Winemakers Vinny Aliperti and George Nosis and intern Kaleb Harp
Mr. Pinot keeping birds away from the grapes
Delivering grapes from the vineyard to the winemaking area
We are excited to welcome the advent of this year's harvest season! Our first crop to be processed is cayuga grapes. Vinny Aliperti, head winemaker, observed, "Though we've had another roller coaster season of early season record rainfall and a prolonged late season cool down, the grapes are now enjoying a beautiful stretch of warm sunny days at exactly the right time in their maturation. If the weather continues to cooperate, I expect we are looking at another successful vintage." Bob Tomberelli, vineyard staff, added that the heavier than normal rainfall has led to bigger bunches of grapes, as well as greater leaf growth. The leaf growth removal is a labor intensive process but required to allow the grapes access to sun and air and to keep disease pressure down.
Keep watching our blog for more harvest news!