I have the grapes delivered the day before Crushing Day. I found that 1500 lbs are much easier handled by the winery drivers, and the delivery charge is only about $20 more than me renting a van and picking them up myself.
Prospero Winery in Pleasantville, NY has been my grape source since 2006 when I made my first solo vintage. They truck in upwards of 125 refrigerated tractor trailers from the Lodi Valle, CA every fall to supply grapes or juice to many home wine makers in the area.
Depending on the forecast a tarp will go up to keep my helpers dry.
The grapes arrive on a pallet all wrapped up and are verrrrry carefully lowered to the ground and wheeled into a designated spot for easy access and separation.
