Juddmansee.com

I realize that our adventures in winemaking pre-date this blog, so I’ll provide some background.

Back in 1998, a master plan was hatched. The details are a bit fuzzy after more than a decade, but legend has it that Owen discovered mead, but found it hard to purchase in the area. Mary suggested he could make some. As a Chemical Engineer who was easily convinced to join in such adventures, I was asked to consult on the project. On the porch of a Magazine St. apartment in Cambridge, the adventure in winemaking began. The first labels were white tape with artfully written text in black marker. Primitive bottling activities broke a cardinal rule of Chemistry – never pipette by mouth.

After the initial mead, we tried apple wine in 2000. With some success, more carboys, and a move to Dickson Street in Somerville, we branched out to three varieties: apple, cranberry apple, and peach. The labels evolved to be laser-printed in full color on Avery stock. There was an ill-fated Strawberry attempt around that time as well, resulting in the disastrous “funk” we still recall with a shudder. But, overall, the winemakers (and the wine!) were growing stronger and more successful.

By 2002 we had gathered more professional supplies from the Modern Brewer in Cambridge and named our brand: Road Trip Orchards. Labels were color-coded in more professionally looking monochrome artwork, including our motto: “Fine Wines and Fun Trips since 1996″ (the three of us drove to Atlanta and back for the Olympics). We branched out to try Chardonnay and Cote Des Blanc yeast, and also tried our first Spiced Apple wine.

But, the fellowship of winemaking started to crack. Owen moved to Kenya, then to the Bay Area, well out of range for even sporadic racking and bottling. Mary began an era of nomadic travels, often settling far away from the Boston area. Sarah Sheldon was recruited to assist, bringing new ideas and respect for the old ways, but she too moved away before the last batch could be finished. Promising gallons of apple wine and hard tea languished in the basement for many years, to be nearly forgotten.

Then, Sarah moved back to the Boston area and asked about the wine. In November, Mary brought her brother Frank to visit and we decided to test the wine. The 2003 vintage, dormant in the basement for seven years, wasn’t half bad!

And so, this weekend, the 2003 apple wine was bottled, and a new era of winemaking will hopefully begin.