From the families who have made their own wine for years to the newest generation of winemakers, Pittsburgh delivers the grapes! The areas most popular vendors are Pennsylvania Macaroni Company, Premier Produce, and Consumers Fresh Produce all located in the Strip District.

The Winemakers sign at Consumers Fresh Produce! Love it!
The Winemakers sign at Consumers Fresh Produce! Love it!

Ron Casertano, Enologist with Consumer Fresh Produce for 27 years, tells me the grape harvest was early this year with California grapes arriving in early September. The season usually ends on Columbus Day, but with high supply and demand, the fall grape season will run through the end of October.

Plenty of grapes!
Plenty of grapes!

Loyal CFP Winemaking customers Rudy Ranallo, along with his friends and family, let me spend the day as they pressed their grapes, filled their jugs with juice, and ate a beautiful pasta dinner!

 

De-stemmed and crushed grapes are left in barrels for one week, stirring daily.
As the fermentation process begins, De-stemmed and crushed grapes are left in barrels for one week and stirred daily.

Ranallo says his process is, “The same as my dad’s [process]. Let the grapes ferment for 7 days, stirring them everyday. Press the grapes and bottle the juice. After six weeks, the Saturday before Thanksgiving, we remove the sediment, and let the fermenting continue until Easter.”

Rudy tells me they have used this presser for 10 years.
Ranallo tells me they have used this presser for 10 years.
Grape Juice straight out of the presser!
Grape Juice straight out of the presser!
Rudy showed me the grape sediment and skins collected from the presser to make wine vinegar. Last years crop made 4 1/2 gallons!
The grape sediment and skins collected from the presser are used to make wine vinegar. Last year’s crop made 4 1/2 gallons!

No preservatives, no fancy measuring gadgets, just tradition and instinct.

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The guys juiced 200 gallons into carboys on one Sunday afternoon.

This year the family streamlined their process buy purchasing a de-stemmer machine.

See the old wooden de-stemmer left  and the bright and shiny new and large stainless de-stemmer.
See the old wooden de-stemmer left and the shiny new stainless de-stemmer.

As was my experience with the Ranallo family, Casertano described the why behind homemade winemaking, “People like to get together and have fun making wine. They eat, laugh, and enjoy! It is an event.”

It sure was and we had a blast!

Family and Friends ...
Family and Friends …
Sisters cooking...
Sisters cooking…
From left: Brian Sauro, Clem Gigliotti, Rudy Ranallo, Jay DeLeonibus, and Anthony Sansonetti
From left:
Brian Sauro, Clem Gigliotti, Rudy Ranallo, Jay DeLeonibus, and Anthony Sansonetti

Because of Pittsburgh’s big interest and little winemaking knowledge, Casertano says there is definitely a market for a how- to class. Wine classes will be offered at Consumers Fresh Produce in the Spring for round 2- South American grapes season in the Spring!

You still have a week or two to buy some juice.

See Ron! Tell him I sent you!
See Ron! Tell him I sent you!

A big thank you to the Ranallo family for your time and hospitality! I can’t wait to come back for the tasting!

Salute!
Ciao!

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