Hi, everybody. I'm
Ernie Farinias and I'm going to blog about making wine.
Why me? I've been making wine for nearly 40 years. When I
started I was actually too young to legally drink it.
For most of those years I was at the University of
California, Davis, where I had many titles over the years: staff research
associate, winemaker & cellarmaster, winery manager and safety coordinator.
Unofficially, I was a developmental engineer and an extension enologist in the
department. I taught a lot of people
how to make wine. And I can teach you, too.
Even though I do no have a degree in viticulture or enology,
I have worked with many of the pioneers of winemaking. When older UC Davis
staff retired or left, I was promoted and received new duties as assigned. Each
of these experiences gave me more knowledge. I read all of the winemaking, wine
chemistry, and wine microbiology books I could find in the department.
As department winemaker, I made wine, must and juice for
classes and student research projects.
I assisted the students in how to make different styles of wines.
Assisted oak barrel companies on the effect of non-toast vs. toasted oak in
barrels, and its effect on different grape varieties. I also performed analysis
of wines during different stages of aging.
As cellarmaster, I taught students the art of blending and
refining wines, how to sterilize the bottles, corks, filter (sterile) the wine
and bottle it.
As vinegarologist, I produced wine vinegar for the
department for their use. I consulted with commercial vinegar producers,
wineries, and other personnel on questions of how to start the vinegar process,
and problems. I oversaw 18 laboratories
for the safe use and storage of many hazardous chemicals
As a university extension instructor I have taught classes
on weeknights and weekends for individuals who cannot attend traditional
classes, such as "Step-by-Step Winemaking." It's a hands on class for beginning
winemakers. "Introduction to Wine
Analysis" teaches students to analyze wine.
Though I retired from the university in 2005, I'm in
business as a wine consultant. Clients hire me to help build wineries, labs and
solve a variety of problems in their businesses.
If you're interested in making commercial or home wine,
having your cellar evaluated or need other wine consultation help, here's where
to reach me:
FARINIAS CONSULTING
Ernie Farinias
8258 Andalusian Drive
Sacramento, California 95829
(H) 916-681-6241
(C) 916-768-4134
Email: ErnieFarinias@aol.com
