So I'm in the Castle and the wine in the cask has run out before the Skorl has gotten drunk. Stupidly, I've saved my game after the fact. Is there some other way to get past him or am I just screwed?

Curses! Thanks for confirming my fears.

Again, sorry about that. :*(

I know it is too late probably (fortunately the game isn't too long) but have You tried to just avoid the Skorl? I just wrote about it here:
http://www.gog.com/en/forum/lure_of_the_temptress/help_i_can_amp_039_t_get_the_skawl_to_leave_the_dining_room/perm=16/#p_b_16
But I am afraid Skorl is a little bit more intelligent when bug from this topic doesn't occur. If someone will have few moments to test this then please write here about the results. It can be useful in the future... maybe.