Now Anyone Can Make World–Class Wine at Home
WELCOME TO WINEPODDER.
At 4 ft. tall and taking up less than 4 sq. ft. of space, the WinePod is a self–contained, computer–controlled winemaking system that gives everyone the ability to participate in small lot, handcrafted winemaking. WinePod integrates fermentation, pressing and ageing in one unit that’s so easy to use anyone can make great wine in their garage, home or backyard.
I’m Greg Snell, a newbie blogger and creator of the WinePod. With this first post, I thought I’d address why we’re here.
I’ve always been a wine lover, but by no stretch of the imagination did I think I could become a winemaker. I invented the WinePod in part because I wanted to democratize the winemaking process and open up winemaking to anyone who has passion, creativity and the desire to make their own fine vintages. That’s how we came about.
So how do we feel the WinePod will change the wine industry? Here are my thoughts. We also welcome feedback from you.
6 WAYS WINEPOD CAN CHANGE THE WINE INDUSTRY
1: Now, we can make wine without a winery
For the first time EVER anyone can make fine wine at home (with the same grapes used by professionals)) that rivals commercially produced vintages. Now that’s revolutionary.
2: Now, anyone can become an urban wine legend—just visit your local wine bar
WinePods take up less than 4 sq. ft. of space. That means they’re perfect for urban wine bars and stores that have limited square footage. Now, wine bars and wine shops can create an urban winery right in their facility using WinePods. It’s legal, and each WinePod can provide 12 self-guided winemaking events for customers each year, with each event producing 4 cases of wine. Let’s open winemaking to the masses!
3: Now, universities and commercial R&D groups can do small–lot fermentations that mimic large–scale fermentations
Before the WinePod, it was expensive and difficult to mimic large–scale fermentations for research and development or for educational purposes. WinePod allows you to program your fermentation curve and it automatically collects data. Now students, small winemakers and R&D departments have unprecedented access to experimental, education and research–based ferments. (Who knows what they’ll come up with, but we’re excited to see.)
4: Now, growers and winemakers can easily characterize microclimates in the vineyard
WinePod is a great R&D tool for wineries, growers and winemakers because it can ferment small lots in a highly controlled environment. Now, these folks can easily characterize the microclimates in their vineyards by picking specific lots from different parts of the vineyard and fermenting them with exactly the same conditions. Get to know your grapes like never before.
5: You can talk–the–talk, now you can walk–the–walk: kick–start your career in wine
WinePod makes the path to a career in wine more accessible than ever. For aspiring winemakers, you will develop the knowledge and know–how of making great wines. Want to prove that you are employable? How about bringing a bottle of Chateau de YOU, straight from your own barrel of cabernet made with the WinePod. What better way to showcase your talents than to share the “fruits” of your labor with a potential wine–employer.
6: Now is the time to demystify and democratize winemaking
Historically, the secrets of making fine wine have been locked away in the cellars of the great Chateaux, never to be seen by the admiring public. NO MORE! We’re throwing the doors open and welcoming everyone in. Why shouldn’t everyone have the advantage of knowing what it takes to turn grapes into liquid greatness? The WinePod and our community of winemakers (professionals and those who are doing this for kicks) are more than willing to share their secrets to success. Not only will this give people a greater appreciation of winemaking, but also of wine in general.
This blog exists mostly for this last reason. Here at WinePodder, we’ll be offering up tips and tricks, insight and encouragement for all aspiring winemakers. And, we hope that many of you will participate in the conversation. After all, what’s the point of making great wine if you can’t share it?
Also, let us know what you’d like to hear about. We’re happy to answer any winemaking questions you have—whether using WinePod or not. John Kelly, winemaker and part owner of Annadel Estate Vineyards (and a WinePodder) can offer some great advice to anyone who’s ambitious enough to take on their own barrel. Check out his My WinePod Experiences blog.