Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) and the way it is used at each step of the winemaking process is explained by Fred Scherrer of the Scherrer Winery. In the vineyard, elemental sulfur is used to inhibit the growth of fungus called powdery mildew. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) is used to help fermentation complete and preserve freshness and acidity in wine.
Author: Judi Scherrer
Winemaking 101: What is a Basket Press?
A basket press is a traditional tool used to squeeze juice and or wine out of grapes. Winemaker Fred Scherrer explains how and why he uses a basket press for certain lots but not others in this video.
How Dry I am…
I remember the 1976 and 1977 ‘drought’ seasons about as well as a teenager could. The crops were naturally small and everything ripened early and rapidly. I’ll never forget the intensity of flavor in the Zinfandel grapes, though. If this is what we look forward to in 2014, I say ‘bring it on.’
Wine Education 101: How are wine bottles labeled?
How are wine bottles labeled? How are the capsules put on a bottle of wine? Fred Scherrer of the Scherrer Winery in Sebastapol, CA demonstrates how bottles of wine are labeled by hand at the winery in California. Ask a Winemaker shot with Fred Scherrer on location in Sebastopol in January, 2014.
Tricks and treats…
We have just finished the 2013 harvest which has been a very rewarding challenge. In all honesty, I like this vintage at least as much as the much-heralded 2012. The only trick was to find time to sleep for about three weeks when the largest workload occurred.
Ed Scherrer on plowing with a horse: The early days of the California wine industry.
Ed Scherrer talks in details about plowing a vineyard with a horse as it was done in the early days of the California wine industry and discusses the time it took and the upside to working with a horse instead of a tractor. Ed Scherrer spoke with Ask a Winemaker at the start of the 2013 Harvest in the Alexander Valley.
Ed Scherrer on Harvesting Chardonnay in California’s Alexander Valley
Grape grower and octogenarian farmer Ed Scherrer has overseen harvest on his family’s land for decades. In this video he describes the process of harvesting Chardonnay and how he looks for pristine bunches and a minimum of botrytis and few leaves.
Do you have to sort Chardonnay before pressing?
Fred Scherrer whole cluster presses his Chardonnay from the Scherrer Vineyard in the Alexander Valley. The clusters arrive at the winery in Sebastapol intact and free of debris so there is no need to worry about sorting them a second time.
How to land a harvest internship: Start early, Work hard.
Winemaker Fred Scherrer operates a tight ship at his 5000 cases winery in Sebastopol, California. He oversees every detail from sorting to bottling and depends on one or two smart, competent and hard working interns a season to help with harvest. In 2013, Jennifer Reichardt landed the job after working three previous harvests in Sonoma and in Chile. Ask a Winemaker sat down with both Jenn and Fred on location at the Scherrer Winery.
To plow or not to plow: Ed Scherrer on soil maintenance in a vineyard
Grape Grower Ed Scherrer talks about the decision to plow or not to plow in a vineyard based on eight decades of farming experience and the benefits of irrigating vs. dry farming grapes in California’s Alexander Valley. Ask a Winemaker spoke to Ed Scherrer on location at the Scherrer Vineyard at the start of harvest 2013.