Newby needs advice

[majohnson4350]

I'm brand new at winemaking. I just started with wild grapes and a purchased kit for 5-6 gal. Have stumbled along the way and may need help or to start over. I spent 20+ hours picking wild grapes so really don't want to begin again... ; - (

Here is what I am/have done to date:

I don't know where to turn. I'm a first time winemaker 2013. I started with a purchased kit and 5+ gallons of picked wild grapes(26.8 pounds per the scale. I started the bucket adding about 3 gal spring water and 14 pounds of sugar plus 9 camden tablets per recipe for 6 gal of wine. Also 30 drops of pectic. Started 9/22/13 at 12:00 pm. Hydrometer read 1.102. Added Lalvin wine yeast 24 hrs later. Waited and on 9/24 nothing seemed to be happening. Stirred all every 4-6 hours. I had left the top on this whole time since I thought that was to be done. Not seeing bubbles I thought fermentation wasn't happening so searched the Internet for reasons. Read I shouldn't have covered until camden had dissipated. I removed the top and let air-out for 24 hrs. Temperature in my basement is 68.8 degrees so that looks okay. Added a second pkg of yeast yesterday at 10 am and this morning the top is covered with skins/debris for the first time. Don't see any foaming. I'm not sure what to do next...just wait another day? Should I do another hydrometer reading? Any help? Any ideas?

Thanks for any guidance...

Update 9/26 2:30 pm - Just used hydrometer and it now reads 1.115 or right at 15% level. Shouldn't it be moving the other direction? It's floating higher than on 9/22... Guess I'll check tomorrow... Tomorrow is here(9/27) and must(?) is floating on top but still no foaming...

 

[Yooper]

Stir it up well, and check the SG again tomorrow.

If you used 9 campden tablets in a 6 gallon batch (I think that's what you said), you may have a slow start as that's 3 more than most people would use. Even so, just stir it up to break and the cap and help the s02 dissipate and it should get going.

 

[majohnson4350]

Thanks! Too many recipes on the Internet. The one I chose said 1 1/2 per gallon so I did. Saw some at 1 per... Most say 5-7 days transfer/rack into my carboy. Can I leave it for 2 weeks or will it go bad? I am just so nervous with my first batch... ; - (

 

[majohnson4350]

@Yooper... Thanks for your reply! It is now 9/30 am and the bucket was almost overflowing this morning!! It is making wine!!!!! I started a gal of apple cider yesterday and it has bubbles too!!! Now if I don't screw it up and I learn to have patience!!! Thank you again for answering and restoring my faith!!!!!

Mark