09/11/2026
🍷 UPDATE: We've stemmed, smashed, sugared, stirred, sweated, and smiled a whole bunch!
John's wisdom says you need 🥵 hot weather to ferment the grapes and cool nights 😎 to clear the wine.
We've had plenty of hot days, and right on cue—just as if John ordered it 😇—the weather is dropping into the 80s/60s.
The Cowboy and I made almost 4 gallons and John & Marilyn made closer to 12. And now we all wait to taste it (well, some of us anyway...)
❤️ As John says, "Isn't this fun?" He is so right. Life is fun! (Photos to prove it!) 🍷
And... YES! John's Italian Red Wine recipe is in the cookbook. Order it from the website!