Wine enthusiasts who think they can make better stuff than the plonk they just opened have another chance to validate their confidence. For the 71st year, the folks of Delicato Family Vineyards at Manteca are getting ready to start selling grape juice to aspiring home winemakers.

"Juice Days," as the custom has been called since Delicato founder Gaspare Indelicato began the practice in 1935, starts Saturday and continues until Oct. 3. From 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, home winemakers can pull up to the winery and buy either white juice or red juice. The varietal is likely to change daily, with home winemakers not knowing their options until they pull up to the winery.

The juice this year will cost $2.95 per gallon, regardless of color or varietal. Participants are required to buy a minimum five gallons, and can't buy more than 200 gallons. Containers can be purchased at Delicato, along with winemaking equipment and supplies, textbooks and the like.

Delicato is along Highway 99 about 50 miles south of Sacramento. For more information, call the winery at (209) 824-3501 or e-mail wine@delicato.com.