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> > >
> > > Living in Vancouver, BC, I've always had an easy time getting red wine
> > > grapes from our local wine region home. October harvests nearly
> > > always guaranteed cool weather for the five hour truck drive to and
> > > from the vineyard. I never worried about spoilage. Unfortunately,
> > > with such a small area of land in BC available to grow premium
> > > vinefera, today I can't guarantee getting the grapes. So, I've gone
> > > south to friendly neighbours in the Pacific States.
>
> > > We recently had frozen must shipped from Napa. That worked out well
> > > but was extremely expensive, although I got good handle on
> > > international refrigerated (reefer) shipping in the process. Last
> > > year, we had a really good experience buying grapes for a winery near
> > > Yakima, WA, but we got really lucky with weather, which was unusually
> > > cold the day we picked up our grapes. In that area, late September
> > > can still bring 80's or higher during the day.
>
> > > My problem is opportunity... I can access fine grapes now, in
> > > Washington and Oregon, all within a maximum 8 hour drive from my
> > > house. BUT, how to keep them cool??
>
> > > I've tried to find a company that will rent refrigerated vans or small
> > > cube trucks, but with no success. And, in spite of an engineering/
> > > science background, I can't come up with any viable solution that will
> > > keep 1/2 ton of ($3K/ton) Pinot Noir safely chilled, in back of truck
> > > or van, during its transit home.
>
> > > In a word: help. Any suggestions, strategies (hare-brained or not),
> > > or proven solutions most appreciably welcomed.
>
> > > Darin
>
> > I'm missing something, 1/2 ton would be around 25 40 pound lugs; why
> > not just rent a minvan that has the rear air conditioner, pop out the
> > seats, put down a tarp and just crank the air to max? Just wear a
> > coat. The border agents will talk about the crazy guy with the grapes
> > for weeks but you won't be close to baking those grapes. You could
> > take dri ice in coolers as another option.
>
> > Joe- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Gentlemen, thanks for the creative and pragmatic suggestions. Got to
> admit, the thought of a trawler working it's way up the coast, hold
> full of Oregon's finest Pinot Noir, got more than a few smiles.
>
> You know, maybe the rental van with steroidal a/c is the answer... >
> Best regards,
> Darin- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
The things we do for good wine. You should see my Sentra when it's loaded to the gills. Just don't tell it it's not a truck.
Joe