How Would You Like to Become a Winemaker?
Social Barrel
Make wine, one case at a time!
We take the guesswork out and offer an easy, affordable option for winemaking. Have a few friends join you (one case per person minimum) or go solo. You will make new friends who will have a share of this very social barrel.
Social Barrel
Make wine, one case at a time!
We take the guesswork out and offer an easy, affordable option for winemaking. Have a few friends join you (one case per person minimum) or go solo. You will make new friends who will have a share of this very social barrel.
Private Barrel
Make wine, one barrel at a time!
Whether you want all the 240 bottles/20 cases one barrel produces for yourself or you want to share the barrel and the winemaking experience with up to 20 of your family and friends, a private barrel is for you.
Team Barrel
Make wine, one barrel at a time for a cause!
Great for Team Building, VIP Client Perks, Corporate Brand Gifts or even to create a fundraising opportunity for nonprofits!
Learn the Winemaking Process
4 Winemaking Sessions over 9 Months
Crush’n It
Your winemaking journey begins with The Crush. After crushing, you’ll learn the science, art & chemistry of winemaking, inoculating the crushed grapes to begin wine fermentation.
Pressed for Wine
One week after The Crush, it’s time to liberate your young wine from the fermentation tub into its new home, a 53-gallon American oak barrel. The Pressing is the messiest, yet a very tasty second step!
Nice Rack!
Racking happens approximately 4-months after pressing. Wine is pumped from the oak barrel into a stainless-steel tank. The sediment at the bottom of the barrel (the lees) is removed and the barrel is cleaned.
Put a Cork in It!
It is bottling & labeling time approximately 4-months after racking. This is your ‘Wine Graduation Day’ and the day your wine bottles leave Grape Expectations to be enjoyed by you.
Crush’n It
Your winemaking journey begins with The Crush. After crushing, you’ll learn the science, art & chemistry of winemaking, inoculating the crushed grapes to begin wine fermentation.
Pressed for Wine
One week after The Crush, it’s time to liberate your young wine from the fermentation tub into its new home, a 53-gallon American oak barrel. The Pressing is the messiest, yet a very tasty second step!
Nice Rack!
Racking happens approximately 4-months after pressing. Wine is pumped from the oak barrel into a stainless-steel tank. The sediment at the bottom of the barrel (the lees) is removed and the barrel is cleaned.
Put a Cork in It!
It is bottling & labeling time approximately 4-months after racking. This is your ‘Wine Graduation Day’ and the day your wine bottles leave Grape Expectations to be enjoyed by you.
1 Barrel of Wine = 240 Bottles
This equals to 20 cases of 12 bottles each (750mL)
1 Barrel of Wine = 240 Bottles
This equals to 20 cases of 12 bottles each (750mL)
Winemaking Season
The date is determined by weather patterns in the growing area.
California - Fall Season
Deadline to sign-up is at the end of August
Production for the California grape harvest begins in late September or early October. Our California season is the most popular. We offer the widest variety of grape varietals during this season. California wines are very pleasing to the pallet and are wines you are familiar with. The Crushing occurs in September/October; Pressing also occurs in September/October, Racking occurs in February of the following year and Bottling occurs thereafter in May/June We will accept orders and deposits all year round.
California - Fall Season
Deadline to sign-up is at the end of August
Production for the California grape harvest begins in late September or early October. Our California season is the most popular. We offer the widest variety of grape varietals during this season. California wines are very pleasing to the pallet and are wines you are familiar with. The Crushing occurs in September/October; Pressing also occurs in September/October, Racking occurs in February of the following year and Bottling occurs thereafter in May/June. We will accept orders and deposits all year round.