A Smashing Good Time

Making wine is easy and fun.

By Nick Lico

If you think making wine requires stomping grapes and purple feet, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Today’s wine is made without getting dirty – and you can do so close to home.

Denise Goldsmith became intrigued withCellar 104 in downtown Mount Clemens before it officially opened. “I received a tour before the winery even opened. I went back on their opening day and was one of the first ones to sign up for a winemaking membership,” she said. Goldsmith explained she really likes having the ability to control what goes into the wine. “there are two other couples making wine with me. they are putting in oak powder in their wine, while I’m putting in oak chips, which gives me a nice, full-bodied wine,” she said.

Making your own wine is not difficult, as Gary Odren will tell you. he and his brother have been making wine at Filipo Marc Winery in Clinton Township since 2014. “Gerard Giacona (co-owner) allows you to taste 3-4 different types to decide what you like, then orders the ingredients for you. Making wine is a little time-consuming but not difficult. It gives my brother and me something to do together,” the Warren resident explained.

Also making wine at Filipo Marc Winery is Denise Hennigan of Sterling Heights. “We went there for a wine tasting with neighbors over 10 years ago. We liked the wine a lot and when we found out we could make our own, we decided to get more people involved.” Hennigan said.

While there are some variations, the wine-making process typically involves the following steps:

• the must – the freshly crushed grape juice that contains skins, seeds and fruit stems is ordered.
• the materials are blended and the wine is racked (moving the wine from one vessel to another).
• Customers return once or twice more to rack the wine again.
• the wine is aged in a container before bottling.

A typical batch creates six gallons, which produces 24-30 bottles.

As David Gagnon, one of Cellar 104’s owners, explained, the one thing everyone learns about winemaking is patience. “From start to bottling, making wine is a three-month process. And that doesn’t take into account aging. No wine is good at a young age. Some like it after three months but many are realizing that 6-12 months are better,” he said.