Basket Press vs Crusher

Some wineries do what is called whole cluster pressing and do not crush first. I believe this is done for varieties like some whites and Pinot Noir. If you are making a red, the basket press will not remove the stems, however, so you need a way to get most of them out of there. With whites, you are interested in the juice only so the skins and stems are discarded. With the reds you will have to add the skins back into the pressed juice. You might see if there is a local winemaking store or club near you. Maybe you can rent both for a short time.

Wayne, Small quantities of grapes can be crushed by hand and the stems removed using the following technique. Put a clean, plastic milk crate on top of a suitable container (a new, 33-gallon trash can). Pickup a few clusters of grapes in both hands. Place your hands in the bottom of the milk crate and squeeze the grapes. Then make a scrubbing motion and the crushed fruit and juice will drop through the crate into the container. Discard the stems from the crate and repeat the process. Good luck with your winemaking, Lum