We are Passionate about Great Wine!
Dancing Dragonfly Winery
  • Home
    • Now Hiring!
    • About Our Winery >
      • DDW Drone Video
      • Our Name
      • Our Owners
      • Our Charities
    • Visiting the Winery
    • Visiting the Area
    • Orders To-Go
    • Find or Contact Us
    • DDW Blog
    • Gallery >
      • Winery
      • Private Events
      • DDW Drone Video
  • Wines
    • Wine Descriptions
    • Shipping Wine
    • Private Blend Experience
    • Wine Accolades
    • What is Marquessa?
  • Food
  • Experiences
    • At the Winery
    • At Your Home
  • Clubs
    • Inner Circle Wine Club
    • Pre-Order Club
    • Gift Memberships
  • Events
    • Our Events >
      • Upcoming Event Calendar
      • Art at the Winery Series
      • Dragonfly Night Out Series
      • Festivals & Weekends
    • Your Events >
      • Weddings
      • Corporate & Private Events
  • Shop
    • Buy Wine From Us
    • Buy Gift Cards
    • Buy at Retail Locations

Harvest & Crush

5/12/2020

36 Comments

 
Once the grapes have gone through veraison, the vineyard and production team begin checking for desired ripeness by monitoring sweetness, acid, and pH levels.  At this time, they also begin to schedule the new year’s harvest, as different varietals ripen at different rates. This will determine where the harvest will begin in the fields.  At DDW we harvest both by hand, and by using high tech harvesting equipment. 
When choosing which grapes are to be hand harvested, some rows are set aside exclusively for a group of our Inner Circle Wine Club members. In addition, some of the grapes need to be hand harvested so the team can look at every cluster, to select the best grapes for certain wines.  Hand harvesting in the winter months allows the team to be selective about the fruit used in the making of our popular Ice Wine. 
Our team used to harvest all the grapes by hand.  But, as the acreage continued to grow, we needed to advance to something bigger. In 2017 we upgraded to an OXBO harvester from Clear Lake, WI. It has a leveling system to raise and lower the machine above the vines, always maintaining the proper clearance to not damage the trellising system. Long bows on the inside of the harvester gently shake and move past one another to knock the ripened grapes off the vine. This also de-stems the grapes, which helps with processing them later in production. The grapes travel along a conveyor belt in small bins on either side of the harvester, to the hoppers on top where they are stored until they can be transferred into macro bins. Each macro bin can hold approximately a half-ton of grapes.
After coming off from the field, the macro bins are weighed and recorded to get an accurate total yield for the season. Using the forklift, the macro bins are brought from the scale to the crush line. The first step is for the grapes to be sorted. The mechanical harvester has already removed most of the stems, but we still use a de-stemmer to help remove any remaining MOG (material other than grapes), such as sticks and leaves. The grapes are then crushed between two rollers and pumped into the press. The press contains a membrane which inflates and squeezes the grapes, releasing the juices that are then caught below the press in a drip pan and pumped into a tank to be fermented.
At DDW, we celebrate harvest and crush with our Grape Stomp Festival each year, where we allow our guests a chance to experience a traditional stomp.  With modern technology, the crush process has become more mechanical, requiring less physical labor.
The next series of steps to be highlighted in an upcoming post, featuring the art and science of fermentation, stabilizing, aging, and blending the base wines that will become finished wine. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
36 Comments
Tessa link
6/10/2022 09:54:02 pm

Great blogg you have

Reply
Buy Used Heavy Equipment link
12/21/2023 10:37:52 pm

I particularly enjoyed learning about the careful timing of the harvest to ensure optimal grape ripeness and flavor. It's incredible how much precision is required to capture the essence of the vineyard in each bottle. The mention of different grape varieties and their unique characteristics added an extra layer of complexity to the narrative, making it even more engaging.

Reply
Jimboomba Surfacing Solutions link
5/31/2024 01:06:34 am

This is helpful and interesting, thanks for sharing! Learning about the OXBO harvester's advanced features and the careful handling of grapes during the harvest process highlights the balance between technology and tradition at DDW.

Reply
Maryborough Surfacing Solutions link
6/23/2024 11:49:40 pm

Great information, appreciate it! It's intriguing to learn about the combination of hand harvesting for select grapes and the use of advanced technology like the OXBO harvester to manage larger harvests efficiently.

Reply
Natuursteen terras Herentals link
8/10/2024 12:15:06 am

Bedankt voor deze interessante uitleg over het oogstproces! Als u toevallig opritdiensten nodig heeft, bezoek dan gerust onze site.

Reply
Harsoppervlak Brasschatt link
8/21/2024 05:29:36 am

Bedankt voor het delen van deze leuke traditie! Als u toevallig opritdiensten nodig heeft, bezoek dan gerust onze site.

Reply
Asfaltoprit Brecht link
8/21/2024 05:30:09 am

Wat een geweldig festival! Ik kijk uit naar de volgende post. Mocht u daarnaast opritservices nodig hebben, bekijk dan onze website.

Reply
Blokbestrating link
8/21/2024 05:30:34 am

Leuk om te horen over de druivenstamptraditie! Als u ook opritdiensten nodig heeft, kunt u altijd op onze site terecht.

Reply
Teer & Split Oppervlak Duffel link
8/21/2024 05:31:06 am

Ik waardeer dit interessante inzicht in het wijnmaakproces. Voor opritdiensten bent u welkom op onze website!

Reply
Nieuwe Oprit Heist-op-den-Berg link
8/21/2024 05:31:38 am

Dank voor deze boeiende informatie over jullie festival! Als u een nieuwe oprit overweegt, bekijk dan zeker onze site.

Reply
Grind terras link
8/27/2024 07:12:01 am

Bedankt voor het delen van dit interessante proces! Als je ook opritdiensten nodig hebt, bezoek dan gerust onze website.

Reply
Asfalt | Teer & Split | Blokbestrating Opritten & Oppervlak Bonheiden link
8/27/2024 07:12:37 am

Ik waardeer deze uitleg over het handmatig oogsten van druiven! Voor opritdiensten kun je altijd op onze site terecht.

Reply
Betegeld tuinpad link
8/27/2024 07:13:06 am

Dank je voor de inzichtelijke informatie over het wijnproces! Als je opritdiensten nodig hebt, kijk dan eens op onze website.

Reply
Trappen link
8/27/2024 07:13:43 am

Interessant om te lezen over de zorgvuldige selectie van druiven! Als je ook je oprit wilt verbeteren, bezoek dan onze site.

Reply
Luiz Antonio Duarte Ferreira link
9/25/2024 01:13:26 am

Great insights on the harvest and crush process! I appreciate the detailed explanations and beautiful imagery you used to illustrate the journey from grape to glass. It truly enhances the understanding of winemaking. Keep up the fantastic work!

Reply
Sidney De Queiroz Pedrosa link
10/18/2024 06:58:36 am

The Harvest & Crush process is truly fascinating! It’s incredible how it marks the transformation of grapes into wine, capturing the essence of nature’s bounty. The careful timing, craftsmanship, and dedication that go into each step ensure a quality product.

Reply
Beatriz Barata link
10/18/2024 07:20:58 am

Harvest & Crush is a fascinating exploration of the intricate processes behind wine production. The dedication and craftsmanship involved in transforming grapes into exceptional wines is truly commendable. It's amazing how every detail, from vineyard to winery, contributes to the final product, making each sip a unique experience. Cheers to the artisans!

Reply
FitnessGuideFG Weight loss link
12/1/2024 09:02:21 am

I have recently embarked on the journey of blogging, and the information available on your site has been immensely beneficial to me.

Reply
Authority Bodybuilding Products link
12/1/2024 09:08:18 am

I would like to inform you that I have recently embarked on the journey of blogging.

Reply
Trimova Drops link
12/6/2024 08:39:08 am

I encourage you to continue producing such high-quality material

Reply
Furnace Filters link
12/17/2024 07:59:56 am

Great blog! I love how you highlighted the importance of quality ingredients and the process behind Harvest & Crush. It’s informative and makes me appreciate the effort that goes into creating such exceptional products. Keep it up!

Reply
Bail Bond Company link
12/21/2024 03:11:09 am


What a fascinating look into the harvest and crush process at Dancing Dragonfly Winery! The behind-the-scenes insights into winemaking are so interesting. A great read for wine lovers and anyone curious about the art of creating fine wines!

Reply
Bail Bond Company link
12/21/2024 03:12:58 am

What an insightful post about the harvest and crush process at Dancing Dragonfly Winery! It’s great to learn more about the dedication and care involved in creating wine. A must-read for wine enthusiasts and those interested in the winemaking journey!

Reply
Solar Power Installations link
12/27/2024 12:25:09 am

Harvest & Crush beautifully captures the essence of the agricultural journey, from the laborious harvest to the exciting crush. It celebrates the hard work, dedication, and passion that go into every step, bringing out the true flavor of nature. This process is truly remarkable, showcasing the perfect blend of tradition and innovation in every grain and grape.

Reply
Global Talent Pathway link
12/27/2024 08:09:59 am

What a fantastic blog post! I love the detailed insights into the careful timing and processes involved in the harvest and crush at Dancing Dragonfly Winery. The balance between traditional hand harvesting and the use of modern technology, like the OXBO harvester, is truly fascinating. It's clear how much thought and precision go into crafting the perfect wine. I can't wait to read more about the fermentation and aging processes in future posts. Keep up the great work!

Reply
THEJEMBE link
1/29/2025 07:56:27 am

Absolutely loved this post! The insights into the process are fascinating, and I really appreciate the depth of knowledge shared. It's amazing how much effort and precision go into creating such a beautiful product. Great read!

Reply
Luiz Gustavo Mori link
2/10/2025 03:20:40 am

Nice post, thanks!

Reply
buy research chemicals online link
2/17/2025 12:19:28 pm

When you buy research chemicals online from us and need to get your parcel delivered quickly, we provide fast overnight
delivery to most major cities or – for more distant destinations

Reply
Poppy Seeds link
2/17/2025 12:20:07 pm

Fresh poppy pods are the seed pods that are harvested from the poppy flower. Poppies are known for their beautiful flowers, but it’s their seed pods that are of the most value. These pods contain the seeds for the next crop and, when dried, they are frequently used in floral arrangements and other decorative crafts. By using fresh poppy pods, you can take your art to the next level as it gives a natural and pleasant look to your creations.

Reply
Universal Guns link
2/17/2025 12:20:40 pm

Our focus on firearms and shooting related equipment allows us to buy in large quantities, and pass the savings to you. Everyone who works at Universalguns, from the owners to the shipping crew, are shooters first. We absolutely love what we do!

Reply
maine coon kittens for sale under $1000 link
2/17/2025 12:21:14 pm

Our journey began with a simple, irresistible love for Maine Coon kittens for sale. Today, we operate under the brand name “Adorable Claw”, proudly pitting ourselves as one of the credible and well-established breeders in the industry. At our core, we specialize in the sale of superior quality, pedigree Maine Coon kittens, distinguishing ourselves through our passion, commitment, and exceptional standards.

Reply
Buy magic mushrooms link
2/17/2025 12:22:06 pm

We live in a rapid world where the development of technology is faster than the creative development of mankind. This causes a rigid view of the world that leads to tunnel vision, a lot of misunderstanding, and problems. Buy magic mushrooms

Reply
Führerscheine Kosten link
2/17/2025 12:22:29 pm

Suchen Sie nicht weiter als unter https://legaldocumentseu.com/, Ihre Go-to-Quelle für Premium-Fälschungen, Führerscheine Kosten und IDs.

Reply
French bulldogs near me link
2/17/2025 12:23:13 pm

The reasons why we have chosen to breed frenchies rather than any other race are numerous; it is an extraordinary breed of dog. French Bulldogs are cute, affable, and will brighten your day. They have widely-set, loveable eyes and cute pointy ears. They have a personality that’s so entertaining you can’t help but smile in their presence.

Reply
Buy Payote Powder Online link
2/17/2025 12:23:59 pm

We Provide fast delivery and shipping of drugs across the world while providing a safe way of paying for your products and receiving your products at your required destination.

Reply
Anny Brow link
4/29/2025 07:15:19 am

During the Harvest & Crush season, maintaining optimal equipment performance is crucial. One often overlooked task is cleaning AC coils. Clean coils ensure efficient cooling in production areas, preserving grape quality and worker comfort. This simple maintenance step directly supports smoother, more effective harvest and crush operations.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Authors

    A collection of DDW employees and wine enthusiasts.

    Archives

    November 2023
    May 2023
    January 2023
    May 2020
    April 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018

    Categories

    All
    Awards
    New Releases
    Vineyard
    Wine

    RSS Feed

DANCING DRAGONFLY WINERY  |  2013 120th Avenue  | St. Croix Falls, WI 54024  |  [email protected]​  |  715-483-WINE
Picture