Wine barrels are an important part of the wine making process.   The history of cooperage and wine are interlinked.  Making a watertight boat probably led to the making of a barrel.  

Around 350 B.C. the Celts elaborated rounded watertight recipients that were able to withstand stress (from rolling) and weight (from stacking).   Ever since that time the barrel has been manufactured using basically the same . 

Check out this youtube of barrel making completely with hand tools.  The work out actually happened at work instead of at the gym.   

This Indian Summer has been great for the grapes. The last grapes to ripen were the lower end of the Gamay Beaujolais.  We picked it today and were pleased with the sugar level of 24 brix as the clusters were really lush and large.

We spent the day crushing and pressing for juice.  We gave some of it to Kayla for her family.  We also stuffed every refrigerator on the place with juice and will spend the weekend processing it.  We drink a lot of grape juice so this should see us through the winter months.