I am a hobbyist and have been making wine for about 5 years now. I got
interested in winemaking from my grandpa when I was younger. He used
to make wine from everything, much like Jack Keller. I am a SysAdmin
in Houston Texas. I am currently working in a medical school designing
software to help in Multiple Sclerosis research. I also manage the
Solaris infrastructure. I am also the designer of the Lazy Hill Wine
Log (http://www.chadandtrish.com/winelog)

Chad Harvey
Houston, TX, USA


Rudolph R?ttger wrote:
Hey Group.

I've been reading you for quite a while, and been wondering all the
time who the posters are. Professional Winemakers, Hobby-Winemakers,
or just interested alot in that topic?

I btw am german, studying winemaking in Austria.
=20
Sorry for this a little off-topic post,
=20
Rudolph F. R=FCttger

To All:

I am a vineyard owner and winemaker during the weekends and executive
officer of a technology company in Kansas City by the weekday.
However, I have conducted many a conference call by cell on a Friday
morning while in the vineyard without the large insurance companies on
the other end having a clue!

My pursuit over the past 8 years has been the growing of vinifera in
Missouri. With a few great vintages behind us, we are continuing
expansion of our vinifera plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet
Franc and Chardonnay. Each year we figure out another piece of the
puzzle; for example, we have figured out how to bird net the vineyard
with ease and efficiency using side netting techniques. The passion
grows year to year. The most rewarding part is that we continue to
expand our friendships to others with the same passion for wine and
grapes. It is amazing the interest that is out there!

Michael Amigoni
Amigoni Family Vineyards
www.amigoni.com

Rudolph R?ttger wrote:
Hey Group.

I've been reading you for quite a while, and been wondering all the
time who the posters are. Professional Winemakers, Hobby-Winemakers,
or just interested alot in that topic?

I btw am german, studying winemaking in Austria.
=20
Sorry for this a little off-topic post,
=20
Rudolph F. R=FCttger

To All:

I am a vineyard owner and winemaker during the weekends and executive
officer of a technology company in Kansas City by the weekday.
However, I have conducted many a conference call by cell on a Friday
morning while in the vineyard without the large insurance companies on
the other end having a clue!

My pursuit over the past 8 years has been the growing of vinifera in
Missouri. With a few great vintages behind us, we are continuing
expansion of our vinifera plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet
Franc and Chardonnay. Each year we figure out another piece of the
puzzle; for example, we have figured out how to bird net the vineyard
with ease and efficiency using side netting techniques. The passion
grows year to year. The most rewarding part is that we continue to
expand our friendships to others with the same passion for wine and
grapes. It is amazing the interest that is out there!

Michael Amigoni
Amigoni Family Vineyards
www.amigoni.com

Rudolph R?ttger wrote:
Hey Group.

I've been reading you for quite a while, and been wondering all the
time who the posters are. Professional Winemakers, Hobby-Winemakers,
or just interested alot in that topic?

I btw am german, studying winemaking in Austria.
=20
Sorry for this a little off-topic post,
=20
Rudolph F. R=FCttger

Hi Rudy,
Wie geht's?

I'm a home hobbyist trying to grow hybrid grapes in the hilly region of
northwest New Jersey, about 70 km west of New York City. I am retired
from the health profession, but keep busy teaching Chemistry on the
secondary level. I've been making wine at home for about 35 years, but
learned the commercial side of the craft while assisting a friend who
is a professional grower & maker.

--


Mike MTM, Cokesbury, New Jersey, USA

I'm a Safety/Health/Environmental ("SHE") Manager for a mid-size chemical
company. Started making wine with native pears from trees on family
property several years ago, then expanded into kits and experimented with
numerous other fruits, eventually returning to and concentrating on pear,
Welsh concentrates, and selected kits. Great hobby(!), but in truth I
probably spend more on wine now than I did before starting making my own --
constantly buying commercial wines to compare with my own...

Bart


..

"Weez" wrote in message
.. .
Hobby too...
Although it started out as my hubbie's hobby and I took over, I found it
more interesting than he did, I make it he drinks it, works out perfectly!
Louise)
--


"KD" wrote in message
...
Hobbyist here too, just started about six months ago after thinking
about
it for a couple of years (and thinking it would be too hard!).
Fortunately
I saved all my store-bought wine bottles while I thought about it.
I've
made mostly kits up to this point, but I currently have a batch of mead
and some apple wine from fresh pressed apples on the go.

KD

Nova Scotia, Canada


"Joe" wrote in message
.. .
I'm a hobbyist located in New Jersey, USA.

I've been at it for about 2 years. I started because I really wanted
to
try dandelion wine and making my own seemed to be the only way that
would
happen. I also make wine from the wineberries (wild raspberries) that
grow wild in abundance all around me. And I do other non-grape wines -
I
like being able to make wines that can't be found found in the local
liquor store.

--
Joe
http://www.joekaz.net/
http://www.cafepress.com/joekaz

I'm a Safety/Health/Environmental ("SHE") Manager for a mid-size chemical
company. Started making wine with native pears from trees on family
property several years ago, then expanded into kits and experimented with
numerous other fruits, eventually returning to and concentrating on pear,
Welsh concentrates, and selected kits. Great hobby(!), but in truth I
probably spend more on wine now than I did before starting making my own --
constantly buying commercial wines to compare with my own...

Bart


..

"Weez" wrote in message
.. .
Hobby too...
Although it started out as my hubbie's hobby and I took over, I found it
more interesting than he did, I make it he drinks it, works out perfectly!
Louise)
--


"KD" wrote in message
...
Hobbyist here too, just started about six months ago after thinking
about
it for a couple of years (and thinking it would be too hard!).
Fortunately
I saved all my store-bought wine bottles while I thought about it.
I've
made mostly kits up to this point, but I currently have a batch of mead
and some apple wine from fresh pressed apples on the go.

KD

Nova Scotia, Canada


"Joe" wrote in message
.. .
I'm a hobbyist located in New Jersey, USA.

I've been at it for about 2 years. I started because I really wanted
to
try dandelion wine and making my own seemed to be the only way that
would
happen. I also make wine from the wineberries (wild raspberries) that
grow wild in abundance all around me. And I do other non-grape wines -
I
like being able to make wines that can't be found found in the local
liquor store.

--
Joe
http://www.joekaz.net/
http://www.cafepress.com/joekaz

Greetings, All.

I have been lurking around this NG for several years, having started
winemaking and brewing as a hobby in Denver, CO about 15 years ago. I now
live in Charlotte, NC and am more committed to the hobby than ever. I make
about 50 gallons of wine per year (mostly from concentrates) and about 10
gallons of beer. My profession is managing Data Administration at a local
large bank, and my undergraduate degree is in engineering. Who would have
ever thought that my college chemistry courses would help me make better
wine?

Gary Flye
Charlotte, NC

P.S. I have learned more from your collective wisdom than from any of the
many books on winemaking in my library. Many thanks!

http://home.carolina.rr.com/winemaking/



"Rudolph R?ttger" wrote in message
om...
Hey Group.

I've been reading you for quite a while, and been wondering all the
time who the posters are. Professional Winemakers, Hobby-Winemakers,
or just interested alot in that topic?

I btw am german, studying winemaking in Austria.

Sorry for this a little off-topic post,

Rudolph F. Rüttger

Greetings, All.

I have been lurking around this NG for several years, having started
winemaking and brewing as a hobby in Denver, CO about 15 years ago. I now
live in Charlotte, NC and am more committed to the hobby than ever. I make
about 50 gallons of wine per year (mostly from concentrates) and about 10
gallons of beer. My profession is managing Data Administration at a local
large bank, and my undergraduate degree is in engineering. Who would have
ever thought that my college chemistry courses would help me make better
wine?

Gary Flye
Charlotte, NC

P.S. I have learned more from your collective wisdom than from any of the
many books on winemaking in my library. Many thanks!

http://home.carolina.rr.com/winemaking/



"Rudolph R?ttger" wrote in message
om...
Hey Group.

I've been reading you for quite a while, and been wondering all the
time who the posters are. Professional Winemakers, Hobby-Winemakers,
or just interested alot in that topic?

I btw am german, studying winemaking in Austria.

Sorry for this a little off-topic post,

Rudolph F. Rüttger

In message , Rudolph
R?ttger writes
I've been reading you for quite a while, and been wondering all the
time who the posters are. Professional Winemakers, Hobby-Winemakers, or
just interested alot in that topic

Well, I'm strictly a hobbyist. I'm in to my 3rd season now; I was really
moved to start after my father died, and I realised I wasn't going to
get his sloe wine any more, unless I did something about it
personally... Mostly I make fruit wines; sloe, plum, damson, blackberry,
apple, although this year I've also made a couple of gallons of grape,
for the first time. I tend to like a very full-bodied wine, and imagine
that anything under 16% alcohol is a bit lightweight. Maybe I'll grow
out of it. I've got roughly 25 gallons in total maturing now, and a
stock of 40-50 bottles over from 2003. In commercially produced wine, I
only drink reds, preferring Shiraz Cab, Garnacha, Rioja, Pinot Noir,
Durif, and so on; given the choice I'd drink Australian. For work, I'm
sort of a cross between a marine biologist, photographer and web
designer, based on the south coast of England.

cheers,
robin
--
www.newforestartgallery.co.uk
www.badminston.demon.co.uk www.robinsomes.co.uk
www.amazonian-fish.co.uk www.pisces-conservation.com
www.irchouse.demon.co.uk www.blackwell-science.com/southwood
Trust me, I'm a webmaster...

In message , Rudolph
R?ttger writes
I've been reading you for quite a while, and been wondering all the
time who the posters are. Professional Winemakers, Hobby-Winemakers, or
just interested alot in that topic

Well, I'm strictly a hobbyist. I'm in to my 3rd season now; I was really
moved to start after my father died, and I realised I wasn't going to
get his sloe wine any more, unless I did something about it
personally... Mostly I make fruit wines; sloe, plum, damson, blackberry,
apple, although this year I've also made a couple of gallons of grape,
for the first time. I tend to like a very full-bodied wine, and imagine
that anything under 16% alcohol is a bit lightweight. Maybe I'll grow
out of it. I've got roughly 25 gallons in total maturing now, and a
stock of 40-50 bottles over from 2003. In commercially produced wine, I
only drink reds, preferring Shiraz Cab, Garnacha, Rioja, Pinot Noir,
Durif, and so on; given the choice I'd drink Australian. For work, I'm
sort of a cross between a marine biologist, photographer and web
designer, based on the south coast of England.

cheers,
robin
--
www.newforestartgallery.co.uk
www.badminston.demon.co.uk www.robinsomes.co.uk
www.amazonian-fish.co.uk www.pisces-conservation.com
www.irchouse.demon.co.uk www.blackwell-science.com/southwood
Trust me, I'm a webmaster...

I'm new to this scientific art (though I don't apply a lot of science).
First wine was a disappointing kit in 2001, went to upstate NY grape juice
and two attempts at "country" wines before being contended with fresh CA
grapes.

Our household did ~50 gallons last year out of the ~100 our group did and
this year we're at 80 out of 150 gallons. I use grapes from the Lodi region
in CA. Namely the grapes are Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc,
Petite Syrah, Merlot, Zin, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.

If you're near Athens, GA and would like to be involved, drop me a line
around August next year!



"Rudolph R?ttger" wrote in message
om...
Hey Group.

I've been reading you for quite a while, and been wondering all the
time who the posters are. Professional Winemakers, Hobby-Winemakers,
or just interested alot in that topic?

I btw am german, studying winemaking in Austria.

Sorry for this a little off-topic post,

Rudolph F. Rüttger

Sorry, forgot my signature and a link to our pictures from this year.

Head to http://webpages.charter.net/pmcdonald/2004%20wine/. I'm the guy you
actually don't see much in the pictures.

--
Patrick McDonald
Athens, GA
AWS Chapter Chair

To reply, reverse text after "@"
"Patrick McDonald" wrote in message
...
I'm new to this scientific art (though I don't apply a lot of science).
First wine was a disappointing kit in 2001, went to upstate NY grape juice
and two attempts at "country" wines before being contended with fresh CA
grapes.

Our household did ~50 gallons last year out of the ~100 our group did and
this year we're at 80 out of 150 gallons. I use grapes from the Lodi
region
in CA. Namely the grapes are Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet
Franc,
Petite Syrah, Merlot, Zin, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.

If you're near Athens, GA and would like to be involved, drop me a line
around August next year!



"Rudolph R?ttger" wrote in message
om...
Hey Group.

I've been reading you for quite a while, and been wondering all the
time who the posters are. Professional Winemakers, Hobby-Winemakers,
or just interested alot in that topic?

I btw am german, studying winemaking in Austria.

Sorry for this a little off-topic post,

Rudolph F. Rüttger

Sorry, forgot my signature and a link to our pictures from this year.

Head to http://webpages.charter.net/pmcdonald/2004%20wine/. I'm the guy you
actually don't see much in the pictures.

--
Patrick McDonald
Athens, GA
AWS Chapter Chair

To reply, reverse text after "@"
"Patrick McDonald" wrote in message
...
I'm new to this scientific art (though I don't apply a lot of science).
First wine was a disappointing kit in 2001, went to upstate NY grape juice
and two attempts at "country" wines before being contended with fresh CA
grapes.

Our household did ~50 gallons last year out of the ~100 our group did and
this year we're at 80 out of 150 gallons. I use grapes from the Lodi
region
in CA. Namely the grapes are Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet
Franc,
Petite Syrah, Merlot, Zin, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.

If you're near Athens, GA and would like to be involved, drop me a line
around August next year!



"Rudolph R?ttger" wrote in message
om...
Hey Group.

I've been reading you for quite a while, and been wondering all the
time who the posters are. Professional Winemakers, Hobby-Winemakers,
or just interested alot in that topic?

I btw am german, studying winemaking in Austria.

Sorry for this a little off-topic post,

Rudolph F. Rüttger

Hi All,

I'm a materials engineer by day and winmaker/grapegrower/grape-breeder by
evening/weekend! I've been making wine for about 8 years, growing grapes
for 4 years and breeding grapes for 3 years. The more experience I get
making wine the more interested I become in all three!! So a Hobbyist for
now but my wife and I are planning toward vineyard/winery ownership.

CHEERS!

Aaron

"Rudolph R?ttger" wrote in message
om...
Hey Group.

I've been reading you for quite a while, and been wondering all the
time who the posters are. Professional Winemakers, Hobby-Winemakers,
or just interested alot in that topic?

I btw am german, studying winemaking in Austria.

Sorry for this a little off-topic post,

Rudolph F. Rüttger

Hi All,

I'm a materials engineer by day and winmaker/grapegrower/grape-breeder by
evening/weekend! I've been making wine for about 8 years, growing grapes
for 4 years and breeding grapes for 3 years. The more experience I get
making wine the more interested I become in all three!! So a Hobbyist for
now but my wife and I are planning toward vineyard/winery ownership.

CHEERS!

Aaron

"Rudolph R?ttger" wrote in message
om...
Hey Group.

I've been reading you for quite a while, and been wondering all the
time who the posters are. Professional Winemakers, Hobby-Winemakers,
or just interested alot in that topic?

I btw am german, studying winemaking in Austria.

Sorry for this a little off-topic post,

Rudolph F. Rüttger