How We Helped

 

Unfortunately the Valentini's had picked the grapes a few days prior to our arrival so we did not have the opportunity to pick grapes or witness the critical decision of when to harvest! Do the grapes have the right level or sugar, acid, and pH? Should we follow grandpa’s tradition and wait until a full moon? But not so unfortunate, because with picked grapes comes winemaking! It was time to help with the primary fermentation of red grapes. After harvesting the grapes sit in a huge vat to ferment. Fermentation is the process where the naturally occurring yeast feeds on the natural sugars in the grape must and produce carbon dioxide gas and alcohol. It was time to pump the free run wine into the secondary fermentation/aging tank, press the grape skins to extract the most liquid possible, and add this liquid to the fermentation tanks...a full days affair! Anthony jumped right into things as he learned how to used the pump and tubes, raked out the grape skins, climbed the ladder to check on the liquid level, and sanitized the room after the process was complete, while Leila helped with a winetasting event. Just before we closed the wine vat to ensure that it did not oxigenize, sulfites were added to prevent unwanted fermentation. We cleaned up, washed our red hands off, gave each other high fives and made our way to the incredible family dinner which Leila and Luciana had prepared. Check out Luciana's Spaghetti con Tartufo Nero Recipe and Salsicce con Lenticchie Recipe on our recipes page!