Prairie Star grapes, known for their winter hardiness and neutral profile with good mouthfeel, require tailored winemaking approaches to enhance their characteristics for a pleasant white wine. Below are key considerations for Sunset Vista Vineyards:
Primary Considerations
Harvest Timing
- Target late August to early September when sugars reach ~22 Brix and acidity remains balanced, as Prairie Star achieves optimal ripeness in cooler climates like Vermont1. Monitor pH (aim for 3.1–3.4) and taste berries for floral or tropical notes, which occasionally develop1.
Yeast Selection
- Use Lalvin QA23 or ICV-D47 for primary fermentation:
- QA23 enhances floral and tropical esters while preserving acidity3.
- ICV-D47 adds subtle roundness and improves mouthfeel, complementing Prairie Star’s neutral structure3.
Ferment at 55–60°F (13–16°C) to retain delicate aromatics, though expect a slower fermentation (up to two weeks)4.
Malolactic Fermentation (MLF)
- Avoid MLF to preserve natural acidity and floral notes, as Prairie Star lacks the boldness of Chardonnay or Viognier5. If softening acidity is desired, inoculate with Oenococcus oeni post-primary fermentation but expect reduced crispness and potential loss of varietal subtlety5.
Oak Integration
- Type/Dosage: French oak chips (small grade) at 1 oz/gallon for light vanilla and spice without overpowering6.
- Timing: Add during secondary fermentation for gradual integration. Soak for 7–10 days and taste frequently to avoid over-extraction6.
SO₂ Management
Additional Considerations
By balancing acidity, minimizing oak influence, and prioritizing aromatic preservation, Prairie Star can produce a crisp, medium-bodied white wine with subtle floral undertones and a polished finish.
| Factor | Recommendation |
| Skin Contact | Limit to 2–4 hours to avoid bitterness; press gently to retain acidity4. |
| Lees Aging | Stir monthly for 3 months to enhance mouthfeel without masking neutrality1. |
| Clarification | Use bentonite fining for protein stability and brilliant clarity4. |
| Blending | Consider blending with aromatic varieties like LaCrescent for complexity1. |
Citations:
- https://www.friskyfoxvineyard.com/our-grapes
- https://www.mitchell-vineyard.com/our-grapes/white-wine-grapes/
- https://www.lallemandwine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/ADY_Yeast-Selection-Chart-WHITE-WINES-email-version-141029.pdf
- https://winemakermag.com/article/white-wine-fermentation-decisions
- https://fermentaholics.com/mlf-what-is-malolactic-fermentation-in-wine/
- https://oakchipsinc.com/how-can-you-use-oak-chips-in-wine/
- https://morewinemaking.com/articles/SO2_management
- https://grape-to-glass.com/index.php/sulphur-levels-wine/
- https://www.jjbuckley.com/wine-knowledge/blog/the-4-factors-and-4-indicators-of-wine-quality/1009
- https://grapeworks.com.au/news/winemaking/five-factors-that-affect-wine-quality/
- https://judicial.mc.edu/2-8-pro-tips-to-perfect-your-white-wine-experience-now
- https://falknurseries.com/product/grape-prairie-star/
- https://www.melaniemay.com/white-wine-guide-and-recommendations/
- https://cardsofwine.com/course/factors-influencing-wine-style-quality-flavor-character-and-price/
- https://www.nevinesupply.com/product/white-wine-prairie-star/15/
- https://acquavivawinery.com/product/prairie-star-2019/
- https://doubleavineyards.com/prairie-star
- https://www.uvm.edu/~orchard/fruit/grapes/gr_horticulture/GrowingGrapesinVermont.pdf
- https://vinforum.ru/index.php?action=dlattach%3Btopic%3D140.0%3Battach%3D23820
- https://www.reddit.com/r/winemaking/comments/16u37qg/just_finished_primary_fermentation_on_my_white/
- http://www.umassfruitnotes.com/v85n2/a5.pdf
- https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-basic-guide-to-malolactic-fermentation-in-wine
- https://www.troutbrookvineyard.com/our-grapes
- https://www.voiceoftherivervalley.com/driftless-terroir-malolactic-fermentation-makes-wines-yummier/
- https://www.wine-searcher.com/grape-2276-prairie-star
- https://oakchipsinc.com/oak-chips/
- https://www.talbottnurseryandpoultry.com/PRAIRIE-STAR-White-Wine-Grape-ultra-cold-weather-t-p/021-50-gprairiestar.htm
- https://blog.homebrewing.org/oaking-wine-with-oak-chips/
- https://winemakermag.com/article/so2-fundamentals
- https://www.oiv.int/public/medias/7840/oiv-collective-expertise-document-so2-and-wine-a-review.pdf
- https://winemakermag.com/wine-wizard/finding-ideal-so2-levels
- https://alert.mc.edu/7-expert-tips-to-make-white-wine-perfect-now
- https://ingoodtaste.com/blogs/wine-101/white-wine
- https://www.uvm.edu/~tbradsha/TempTOSS/Growing%20Grapes%20in%20Vermont.pdf
- https://extension.umaine.edu/highmoor/resources-by-crop/grape/growing-grapes-in-maine/
- https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/michigan-grape-scouting-report-september-11-2024
- https://winemakermag.com/article/high-rows-full-hearts
- https://www.mitchell-vineyard.com/links-articles/our-winemaking-articles/general-winemaking-instructions/
- https://www.winemakingtalk.com/threads/primary-fermentation-and-stirring.37069/
- https://northeastwinemaking.com/pages/winemaking-yeast-guide
- https://www.mitchell-vineyard.com/app/download/7249166451/LaCrescent+Wine+recipe.pdf
- https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19312&start=12
- https://blogs.cornell.edu/ngpownersmanual/owners-manual/the-winery/
- http://northerngrapesproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Yeast-selection-trials-Year-4.pdf
- https://winemakermag.com/article/underripe-red-grapes-malolactic-tips-and-general-fermentation-guidelines
- https://www.reddit.com/r/winemaking/comments/s9w81d/malolactic_fermentation/
- https://winefolly.com/deep-dive/what-is-malolactic-fermentation-the-buttery-taste-in-wine/
- https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/malolactic-fermentation-on-a-white-kit-wine.387359/
- https://makewinebrewbeer.com/pages/to-oak-or-not-to-oak
- https://www.sevenhawksvineyards.com/product/prairie-star/
- https://winemakermag.com/wine-wizard/1199-oak-chips-chardonnay
- https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/fs/fs-52-w.pdf
- https://srjcstaff.santarosa.edu/~jhenderson/SO2.pdf
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzr1cYceB4M
- https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/sulphur-dioxide-in-winemaking/
- https://indigo.uic.edu/articles/journal_contribution/Production_of_Free_Sulfur_Dioxide_by_Wine_Yeasts/22217236
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm7zDe9tj2M
- https://www.reddit.com/r/cocktails/comments/15bi2wd/first_time_trying_wine_im_out_of_my_depth_how_do/
- https://www.levovineyard.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-best-white-wine-when-shopping-online/
- https://www.stat.cmu.edu/capstoneresearch/315files_f24/team8.html