In the Winery

We explored the vineyard—now the grapes have been picked, and the real decisions begin in the winery.

Once grapes arrive at the winery, winemakers face hundreds of choices that can ultimately shape the style, character, and quality of the wine in your glass. In this deep-dive class, we’ll go beyond the familiar winemaking steps to explore the why behind the decisions that transform grapes into wine.

We’ll explore:

• What happens when grapes arrive at the winery


• The key stages of the winemaking process—and the decisions made at each step


• The deeper choices that can dramatically influence a wine’s style and character


• Fermentation decisions and their impact on the finished wine


• How winemakers work with—or against—the natural characteristics of the grapes


• The reasoning behind techniques that aren't always discussed in basic wine education


• How oak, extraction, temperature, aging, and other choices shape the final product


• The balance between tradition, technology, experimentation, and personal winemaking philosophy


• Inspiration from winemakers such as Kershaw and other wine geeks who push the boundaries of winemaking

This is more than a class about how wine is made. It’s about understanding the hundreds of decisions that happen along the way—and how those decisions ultimately determine the style and quality of the wine in your bottle.

Join Palate Partners on September 23 from 6:00–8:30 PM for a deep dive into what happens in the winery once the grapes leave the vineyard.