It says store at 0 degrees F on the packaging.

No not required.

I don't know. It wasn't frozen when it arrived. I keep it in the refrigerator.

I keep it in the freezer till I use it.

The CH16 bacteria is designed to be used dry so you can choose to use the Acti-ML or not. Acti-ML is normally used if the conditions for ML fermentation are known to be difficult this would include things like low nutrient conditions low pH high alcohol etc. Act-ML can also be added directly to the wine as a ML nutrient if needed.

If you're going to direct inoculate (no rehydration) then skip acti-ml. You could rehydrate direct inoc (like ch16) and use the acti-ml as well. Personally I've direct-inoculated without acti-ml and haven't had issues. But every wine is different.

I would still add ML nutrient: the ML bacteria will grow better and if you do not over-add it will not increase spoilage.

You can direct inoculate the MLB. In my experience the rehydration helps. I’ve also had better MLF with VP41. You can also add the MLF nutrient directly to the wine and stir it in.

Yes--just sprinkle on top---I wait a day to stir---as for the nutrient--I keep it on hand for a stuck fermentation but have never had that happen--good luck

There is no activation process. Just sprinkle directly into must or wine to inoculate. Oenesis nutrient speeds up your ML fermentation quite a bit and gives you better results with CH-16.

I started a yeast fermentation in bottled non-additive apple juice from the grocery store. After two days I added the viniflora bacteria. Within a day it was very active. At that point I added it to my second-day wine fermentation.

Dry yeast is stable without an ice pack. Long term storage in the fridge is best but there’s no issue if the yeast sits at room temp.

No it is stocked at room temperature and its very easy to use. Once your fermentation has nearly completed or ended you just sprinkle this in mix it a little put an air lock on and it will start the secondary fermentation. Temperature should be at least 70-75 degrees. I believe directions are included.

No

No ice pack necessary for shipping IMO. When you get it store it in the freezer until you're ready to use it. I sprinkle in into the wine at the end of primary fermentation and stir it in. Keep the temperature at 62 F or above. In about 6 weeks MLF should be complete. You will see little bubbles coming up out of the wine during MLF.

while it is freeze dried it is generally recommended that the product be stored in a freezer as it is sensitive to higher temperatures. If ambient temperatures this time of year are 60 to 70 F and it will only be in transit for a day or two then maybe skip the ice pack.

I always order an ice pack for my MLB

No just put it in the freezer when it arrives until you use it.

No unless you are going to leave them in a hot car for a period of time. If you buy a packet and take it straight home you'll be fine. Once at home if you don't need it immediately just store it in the freezer.

i follow the packaging advice which is precise. The MLF manual is using typical guidance for non Hansen MLF. i then adjust the Acti-ML to match grams of MLF and Opti-Malo to match the volume of wine. You may need to get that from Hansen website directly if no in the MOre wines catalog.

I did notuse opti-Malo. I used Acti-ML at the full quantity suggested for the package of bacteria. After the 15 minutes I then add about 1/2 volume of wine to the hydration liquid. I used this package of bacteria to inoculate 5 different 6 gallon carboys. I just split the hydration liquid equally between all 5 carboys. It worked well.

I would adjust for 1.5. I've used this a couple years now with great results. I dont think you can over pitch when it comes to MLF either. I've used this with 30 gallon batches the last couple years pitching after the initial ferment

Hello Matt this particular strain of bacteria is made to be used at 1.5 grams per 66 gallons of wine. The Acti-Ml and Opti-Malo plus dosages will remain the same. Acti-ML is to be used at 0.84 grams per gallon of wine and Opti-Malo plus is 1 gram per gallon of wine.

Hi Kevin - Adding the full packet should not cause any problems it will cause the MLF to move along faster which is not a bad thing. You could store any leftovers in the freezer but it's not guaranteed to hold for a long period of time.