Grape pressing

PurpleDragon · Thu Oct 05, 2006 1:30 pm

I have a grapevine, and the grapes are almost ready for picking. I want to make them into wine, but I don't have a press.

I was considering using an old plastic baby bath, with plug, and getting the kids to walk on the grapes like you see on the telly.

Am I being completely stupid, or only marginally? Would the grapes be affected by the plastic? is this gonna work, or does someone have a better idea?

Shirley · Post: # 35674Post **Shirley** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 1:41 pm

I'd be more worried about the feet pmsl.... cheesy wine

well - cheesy wine party!

PurpleDragon · Thu Oct 05, 2006 3:20 pm

My children don't have cheesy feet, you cheeky besom!

Shirley · Post: # 35704Post **Shirley** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 3:28 pm

ahhh must just be my boys that have smelly feet then ;)

PurpleDragon · Thu Oct 05, 2006 4:06 pm

Actually, one of the reasons I thought of getting the kids to do it is because if my feet went in there, the grapes would curdle.

Stonehead · Post: # 35756Post **Stonehead** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 9:40 pm

When would you need the press? I have a small barrel press that I use for cider making, but it should also do the job with grapes. You can borrow that if you can wait a week or two until I get my next batch of cider done, and then get it back to me in time for me to do the third and final batch.

Here it is in action.

PurpleDragon · Fri Oct 06, 2006 7:03 am

The grapes are about ready to pick, and should be coming off the vine this weekend, which won't leave you any time for your cider, I'm afraid. Generous of you to offer, though - thank you.

It's a real shame - I would have loved an excuse to come over, meet you guys and have a nosey at your set up

Don't spose you have any tips for pressing them without a proper press, or where I could actually get one? Are they dear? Bet they are - everything is dear when you are skint, eh?

Stonehead · Post: # 35775Post **Stonehead** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 7:41 am

PurpleDragon wrote:Don't spose you have any tips for pressing them without a proper press, or where I could actually get one? Are they dear? Bet they are - everything is dear when you are skint, eh?

Have to be quick!

Some sort of wooden box sitting on a ridged or holed wooden board. A piece of hardwood that fits inside the box. Put a car jack (screw thread type like that on LR Defenders is ideal) on top of the wood, then set it up so it's pushing up into something really heavy and solid (a Land Rover works well, as does a stone door lintel).

The box should be sitting on a study table or frame with some sort of catchment device that directs the juice into your fermenter or buckets. Line the box with muslin or clean net curtain to stop the seeds and skins getting through.

Then jack downwards!

Oh, and make sure everything that's in contact with the grapes and juice is sterilised and rinse thoroughly.

PS I'll have a think about when we can do our pressing - we have a few other things to do but I might be able to rearrange things a bit. Will get back to you later.