Congratulations to our talented winemakers who have claimed medal honors in the 2025 American Wine Society National Amateur Winemaking Competition!
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Fining:
Fining involves adding a substance (like bentonite, egg whites, or casein) that binds to tiny, suspended particles—proteins, tannins, or haze-causing compounds. These particles clump together, become heavier, and settle to the bottom.
Think of it as: “attract and drop” 
Purpose: clarity, softening tannins, stability 
Requires an additive 

Racking:
Racking is simply the process of transferring wine off its sediment (lees) into a clean container.
Think of it as: “leave the junk behind” 
Purpose: remove settled solids, prevent off-flavors, gently clarify 
No additives—just careful siphoning 

The Key Difference:
Fining actively creates sediment by pulling particles out of suspension 
Racking removes sediment that’s already settled