Note to Our Winemakers:
We met with Barrel Leaders last week to discuss the “what-ifs” of this years’ California winemaking season. We handed out an overview which is outlined below. In the meeting, we discussed winemaking in the fall and answered questions.
We appreciate all of you. Those of you who have already signed up to make wine and those of you who are planning to sign up…thank you. It means so much to us…more than you know. We, like many other businesses, have been affected by the COVID shutdown & restrictions. These are uncharted waters; waters that continually challenge the longevity of Grape Expectations and Vegas Valley Winery.
The following is the overview of how things will play out in the fall, depending upon the specific phase we are under. This is our best predictions given current & possible restrictions.
Plan #1
No Phase and No State Restrictions (Best Case Scenario)
Groups will be scheduled as usual but limited to no more than 20 people, but we recommend 10 to 12 for an optimal & less likely to be impacted group.
Plan #2
Phase Two (Facility Gatherings Limited to 50 People Max)
- Groups will be a maximum of 20 people, but we recommend fewer, if possible.
- Groups are limited to a 1 hour and 45-minute experience. Therefor, the group’s arrival time will be 15 minutes prior to their start time and will extend 30 minutes after their one-hour appointment. For instance:
- “Group A” has a 6 pm crushing and “Group B” has an 8 pm crushing. “Group A” needs to arrive at 5:45 pm (but not earlier) and must be cleaned up and out the door by 7:30 pm; this will give Grape Expectations Staff 15 minutes to clean and prepare for the arrival of “Group B” at 7:45 pm.
To accomplish this, we must spread out the crushing/pressing times to every other hour. This will limit the number of crushings on any given day and in total for the season, but we are ready with a plan. The crushing/pressing schedule will look as follows:
Prime Time Slots – Total 144 spots
- Monday-Friday @ 6pm and 8pm
• Equates to 4 spots per night (2 spots @ 6pm and 2 spots @ 8pm)
• Equates to 20 spots per week - Saturday and Sunday @ 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm, and 7 pm
• Equates to 10 spots per day
• Equates to 20 spots per week
Off Time Slots -Total 64 spots
- Monday-Friday @ 2pm and 4pm
• Equates to 20 spots per week
GROUP IMPACT
In Phase 2, facility gatherings are limited to 50 people in the building. This is our impact plan:
- The first 7 days of crushing – groups will have up to 20 people maximum. This is because there will only be 2 groups present during any time slot.
- On the 8th day which is the first day of pressing – ALL groups contain a maximum of 12 people, therefore, this ensures we stay under the “facility 50 person rule”.
- With crushing and pressing going on at the same time, there will now be 4 groups present for every time slot: 2 groups crushing and 2 groups pressing (12 people x 4 groups =48).
- This 12 person group limitation will be in effect until crushing is complete, so, the remaining groups that need to press can increase their group capacity to 20 people.
In Phase 2, we will provide four “party areas”. There is one area for each group, even during our busiest times:
- Party Room. The room which contains the labels on the walls.
- Cul-de-Sac area located on the right side in the Production Area
- Upstairs in the Production Area, or the balcony seating.
- Winery Floor on the left side in the Production Area
Because of group sizes of up to 20, these areas will all have a minimum of three tables. However, under current Phase 2 rules, the maximum seats per table is six. Three tables spaced out would seat 18 at one time. We will do our best to provide enough room for groups to spread out in their own spaces. All of the above is designed to keep you healthy and to ensure compliance.
- Winemakers will please wear a mask when you arrive, during the winemaking process, and when walking around the winery.
- Winemakers can remove masks while actively eating and drinking in assigned “Party Area”.
- All Employees and Volunteers will wear face coverings, for your health & safety.
- Winemakers will social distance whenever possible.
Grape Expectations Winemakers participate in the Crush
Plan #3
State rolls Everyone back to Phase One
In this scenario, groups will not be allowed to come into the facility
- Grape Expectations staff will perform the hands-on work for you. When your grapes arrive, we will complete the crushing and fermentation processes. Over the next 7 days we will ensure adequate plunging is performed and after the fermentation has fallen off we will perform the pressing. Although you will not be in the winery physically, you won’t miss out completely. We will provide a video of all the processes, or a “virtual session”, so you will be able to experience each process and not miss a step.
In conclusion, if you know of anyone interested in making wine, we appreciate your referrals. Whether a barrel of wine or joining a social barrel for as little as one case of wine, please have them email us at the address below:
Thanks, Everyone!
We Hope to See You in the Fall!
Patty, Mike, KJ & The Chad
