2008 Cabernet Sauvignon to be destemmed at Witch Creek Winery

Several things inspired me to take up the home winemaking hobby:  I love wine, I love doing things myself, and I love learning new processes; I live near several winemaking areas; and many of my friends make their own craft beer at home.  When I first started researching where to start, I was a little intimidated about trying to find a source of grapes, and then figuring out what exactly to do with them even if I found them.  I was completely unaware that wine kits existed.  I have since found that many people don’t know about these magical boxes of joy, and how easy they are and how good the resulting wine is.  So, I wanted to start a blog to share my experiences and discoveries in the world of home winemaking.

Why Wine in the Shower?  Any home brewer or winemaker is excited to have a spare bathroom to use as a laboratory for the sometimes messy processes associated with making beer or wine at home.  Beer can definitely be more messy, I have not yet had a carboy of wine explode like a rapidly fermenting carboy of beer (hops on the ceiling!).  I have, however, had a carboy of wine foam over the top during degassing — the one time the wine was not in the shower, of course.

I hope that this blog will be useful and inspiring to anyone wanting to start their own winemaking at home!