081: Transitioning from Grape Grower to Winemaker with Jim Duane – Part 2
Release Date: 09/30/2025
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info_outlineIn this episode of Vineyard Underground, Fritz continues his conversation with winemaker and Inside Winemaking podcast host Jim Duane on what it takes for grape growers to successfully step into winemaking. Following part one, which covered equipment, compliance, and basic chemistry, part two dives deeper into the realities of balancing vineyard management with winery responsibilities.
Fritz and Jim explore how harvest decisions shift when you’re making wine from your own fruit, weighing risks like weather and pests against the pursuit of higher quality. Jim shares how winemakers must rethink priorities, and they also break down which lab analyses should be done in-house versus outsourced.
The discussion covers the intense workload during harvest, how to plan labor needs, and the value of building a team to avoid burnout. Jim stresses the importance of advance planning to manage the overlapping demands of the vineyard and the winery. He also highlights common mistakes growers face when starting out, including mismanaging SO2 additions, misinterpreting acidity, and relying on incomplete fermentation data.
The episode closes with practical advice and resources for aspiring winemakers, from small-scale home fermentations to structured courses and workshops. Fritz and Jim encourage growers to start experimenting, make manageable mistakes, and seek mentorship to build both confidence and competence before fully scaling their operations.
In this episode, you will hear:
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How harvest decisions shift when growers begin making their own wine
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Why budgeting for laboratory analyses is non-negotiable in commercial winemaking
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Common mistakes with SO2, acidity adjustments, and fermentation management
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The importance of advance planning to balance vineyard and winery demands
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Practical resources and training opportunities for new winemakers
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Resources:
Watch Jim’s video on how to measure Titratable Acidity in Juice or Wine.
If you have questions about today’s episode or ideas for future episodes, go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button.
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Today’s Guest:
Jim Duane is the head winemaker at Seavey Vineyard in Napa Valley and the host of the Inside Winemaking podcast.
Connect with Jim, learn about upcoming winemaking courses and classes, and listen to the podcast at InsideWinemaking.com or follow him on Instagram: https://instagram.com/insidewinemaking or YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyzZ0EiFJEzFdiG6UTnyqMA.
Episode Sponsor:
Today’s episode was brought to you by Vintner’s Vault. Vintner’s Vault was started and is operated by winemakers, so they have the knowledge and experience to help you make an educated decision on the equipment purchases and winery set-up and layouts that are best for you. They are the #1 winery equipment company that I recommend to my growers, who are also winemakers.
Visit TheVintnerVault.com and use the code UNDERGROUND5 (all caps) to save 5% off of your online order, or mention that you heard about them on the Vineyard Underground podcast when contacting them for a larger piece of equipment, consulting services, or turn-key packages, and they will provide a podcast listener discount for you.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.