Contra Costa Wine Group Chemistry and Supplies

Winemaking is an art and a craft that requires some knowledge of the process that takes place as grapes turn into wine. It can seem daunting to the beginner to think about chemistry, but there is a lot of information available to help demystify the process for the home winemaker. And even for the most advanced home winemaker, there is always something to learn. Click on the highlighted names to be taken to the respective website.
HOME WINEMAKING GROUPS
CONTRA COSTA WINE GROUP (CCWG): CCWG was established in 1976 and offes a team dedicated to providing educational programs at meetings and during field trips. The annual Nouveau meeting, held during the first week of December, provides an opportunity for members to get constructive feedback on newly fermented wines. The Annual CCWG Wine Competition is held in late January and offers feedback on member's wines from qualified judges. Most importantly, there is always something to learn from fellow members.
SACRAMENTO HOME WINEMAKERS (SHW): This club has been in existence since 1973. It has a public access page that provides an amazing amount of information under Chemistry Notes such as Some Household to Metric Conversions, Toolbox for Wine Adjustment, SO2 Additions for Wine, and Tables for Addition of Tartic Acid, Citric Acid and SO2 - Cleaning Barrels. Other useful information can be found in their Blog.
CELLARMASTERS OF LA: HOME WINEMAKING CLUB This club has been in existence since 1973. Their website provides a DIY section with video presentations and a Blog. GENCO (GARAGE ENOLOGISTS OF SONOMA COUNTY) GENCO was formed to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information, and to enhance economical production of quality wine in small quantities. It meets in Healdsburg. Look in the DOCUMENTS Dropdown for a wealth of information about home winemaking. SONOMA HOME WINEMAKERS This group is located in the town of Sonoma. It's webpage also offers a wealth of informaton under RESOURCES.
OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION Wine Making Equipment Suppliers offering Educational Documents
MORE WINE This business, located in Concord, CA., sells supplies for homewinemakers. But their website is also a valuable source with information about home winemaking. Access the dropdown from Start Here to find First Time Making Wine and Learning and Resources. Subjects under Leanrning and Resources include Wine Making Books, Free Wine Making Manuals, More Wine! Articles and More Wine! Videos. OAK BARREL The Oak Barrel in Berkeley has been in business since 1957. It offers winemaking equipment and supplies for both winemaking and brewing beer. VALLEY VINTER This online supply store is run by a former CCWG member. Besides selling equipment, it has an extensive variety of information under Resources / Tips & Links for barrels, fermentation, enzymes, Molecular SO2 Calculator, Sulphite Calculator Online, Sulphite Table Generator, Vacuum Pumps, TA Analysis and more. NAPA FERMENTATION SUPPLIES This store opened in 1983 and is located inside the Napa Expo Fairgrounds. It is another sources of supplies. THE BEVERAGE PEOPLE - SANTA ROSA This wine making supply store also provides a wealth of information grouped under in subject matter boxes titled How To Articles, Guidebooks for Making Wine, Wine Testing Services and Grapes for Sale in Sonoma County.
PUBLICATIONS
WINEMAKER MAGAZINEWineMaker Magazine is an American magazine located in Manchester Village, Vermont, and is particularly concerned with the process of home winemaking. The online magazine includes wine recipes, how-to projects and advice columns. WineMaker magazine also runs the annual WineMaker International Amateur Wine Competition. The website offers a plethora of informaton under Techniques, Troubleshooting and Articles.
ACCOCIATIONS WITH GRAPE SOURCES
CONTRA COSTA WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATIONThis organization lists grape growers in Contra Costa County who sell to home winemakers. Look for the list under Classified.
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