27 replies to this topic

[kakeeler]

I'm sitting with the left side of my face packed in ice, really irritated that I've injured myself racking my wine. Seriously, a racking injury? How can that possibly happen, you might ask? I've been asking myself that for the last three hours. The sad tale is that one of us (not me) was using a white pvc rod to which the pump hoses are clamped to hold it off the bottom of the barrel and when it is then racked back into the barrel -- a homemade gadget. Since it was the same color as the white food grade plastic temporary container we'd racked into, I didn't see it and bent over pretty quickly to inspect the level of the wine. The hard pvc pipe rammed right into my cheekbone. I have a huge gash on my face, it's swollen, bruised, and I have two teeth loose. I'm so mad at myself I could spit -- but I can't because it hurts to move my face. Has anyone else ever injured themselves making wine??? I can understand growing grapes or throwing out one's back or slipping on a wet floor, but racking? I know, I need to do things with "less verve" and then accidents like this wouldn't happen. I'm expecting that lecture later. Any similar stories anyone feels willing to share would be appreciated.

[Knucklehead]

My wife says I can't call any task a "Project" until I injure myself. Usually its a minor cut or scrape. Let me start by offering my sympathies. I hope its nothing serious. But let me close by saying I found your story absolutely hilarious. Mainly because I can see something just like that happening to me.

Get Well Soon!

[red_feet]

I severely wrenched my lower back and down my right leg by pivoting at the waist, instead of turning my feet, while storing my bottled wine.
I can only characterize the pain as "severe/extreme"; I wouldn't call it "racking", er . . . "wracking".
I'm getting chiropractic and acupuncture, and am almost recovered ( a recovered winemaker?). You're fortunate you didn't injure an eye.
Get well soon!

Ken

[Wade's Wines]

Last racking injury I had was while riding a horse.
Hope you heal well!

[ARCHER]

My heart goes out to you!
Trust me when I say we've all committed similar crimes!

Heal your mind first, with a glass of wine. Uh, maybe use a plastic cup or a straw.

Hope you get better soon.
Archer

[kakeeler]

Drinking wine (that someone else made) has dulled some of the pain caused at my own hands (face). Thanks for sharing your stories, it makes me feel better to know that I'm not the only one!

[Calamity Cellars]

Yes. That's all I am saying. Yes.

[bigdrums2]

I'm horribly clumsy. I've gashed my head running into a post and poked my eye on a tomato stake. All is good. No raking injuries to date. My first mead did blow up on me, but I wasn't present.

[kakeeler]

You're all making me feel "at home.". Maybe "No pain, no gain" really applies -- although, it would be nice to chew solid food again!

[Tomer1]

"If you dont feel the pain, its because your not trying hard enough."
This prooves your pushing winemaking to the limit.

[kakeeler]

15 short days later, and my face is nearly healed; I can chew as if nothing happened, there is no permnent tooth damage, and all that's left is a bad memory of an accident that should not have happened. We need to stop trying to invent things here, they don't always work and can end badly!

[Reverend Drake]

For myself, I've found that you should never "walk a tightrope" on a hose, you never know if someone is going to pull the other end causing you to flail about into an air pump and dislocate your knee.

Buddy of mine found out that you should ALWAYS set the emergency brake on the forklift (skin graft to replace the sole of his foot)

Similar story, NEVER try to hop off the forklift to "catch" a stack of barrels that are tipping over (beautiful picture of a barrel profile on a half severed foot)

NEVER stick juice in a keg and clamp an end cap on it (dislocated thumb, couple of broken fingers, and a centimeter away from losing an eye. Pretty purple abstract art on the ceiling though)

Lastly, eventhough the winemaker says "that cap is solid enough to walk on" doesn't mean you should try to walk on it.

Just 'cause we're "living the dream" doesn't mean there isn't the occasional nightmare from time to time.

[Needshelp]

Sliced my finger to the bone opening a bottle of wine a few weeks ago. Handle on the corkscrew broke off while I was pushing down and the first joint of my left index finger (just above the palm) was forced over the jagged broken metal handle. I'd post a pic but I'm afraid some people might be squeamish.

[Wade's Wines]

Thanks for not posting the pic!

[jerzy_s]

My wife says I can't call any task a "Project" until I injure myself.

LOL! - Did you Ever consider a part-time career in product safety testing?