FAQ
Q: Why would I want to make my own wine?
A: Making your own wine is fun and easy in a friendly atmosphere with experienced people to help you through the process. It is very economical to make your own wine. It is a unique way to celebrate special events. Wine kits produce consistent, well balanced high quality wines that taste great! In addition, there are health benefits related to moderate consumption of wine.
A: Sulphites are used primarily as a preservative in the wine. Commercial wines require a higher concentration of sulphites to help the wine endure a commercial chain of distribution and for aging beyond two years. Our kits contain 1/5 to 1/3 the sulfites. Because of the lower sulphite level, and because the kit wines do not go through a malolactic fermentation, many people who get headaches from wine have said they can drink the wine from the kit without getting a “wine headache”.
A: We have a large selection of red, white and blush table wines. We also carry lighter, sweeter, fruitier wines similar to a wine cooler.
A: Wine kits contain all of the ingredients that you need to make a 6 gallon batch of wine. There is a bage of sterile grape juice, yeast, benonite, potassium sorbate, potassium metabisulphite, a clearing agent and in the case of sweeter wine, the flavor pack. Instructions to make the kit are also included.
A: Each batch kit is formulated to make up to 30 bottles of wine.
A: Making your wine with us is extremely easy. It takes about 15 minutes to start your wine and we will explain each step of the process to you. You will set up a time to come back and bottle your wine. With the automatic bottle filler, floor corker and shrink top capsulator, plan on about 45 minutes to bottle and label each batch.
A: The cost of your wine make on premise will range in price from $4-$8 per bottle depending on the kit you choose.
Four Week Kits- are less expensive, lighter in body and designed to finish sooner and age more quickly so you can drink them sooner.
Six Week Kits- have more juice and yield a fuller bodied wine.
Eight Week Kits- these premium kits contain even more juice and are sourced from specific vineyards all over the world.
Premise Fee- of $55 per batch, includes; storage of wine while fermenting, corks, shrink tops, labels and the use of our equipment. If you mix up a new batch when you come in to bottle, you will receive a $10 discount off the premise fee for your new batch.
Bottles- can be provided by you or can be purchased by the case for around $1-$2 per bottle, depending on style and color.
Personalized Labels- can be substituted to mark special occasions for an additional charge.
A: If you are bringing your own bottles, they must be clean and free of residue. Labels should be removed prior to bottling if you want them removed. It is best to rinse out the wine bottle with hot water immediately after finishing the wine. Do not use soap or detergent, as this can leave a residue in the bottle and taint the flavor of the wine. Let the bottle dry. Store the bottles upside down in the box and they will be ready to refill with your next batch of wine. We sell bottle brushes and nondetergent cleansers if you need to soak or scrub your bottles. Do not wash your bottles in the dishwasher.
A: Once you take your bottles home, you should leave them sitting upright for THREE days. This allows the air pressure in the bottle to equalize and any remaining carbon dioxide to escape prior to the cork sealing. Then lay the bottles on their side so the corks remain moist. Keep your wine in a cool, dark place. 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. Keeping a constant temperature is very important. Wine can be stored at a higher temperature, but it will not age as well or for as long. Minimize movement as that disturbs the ageing process. If possible, humidity should be 65%-75% to keep the corks from drying out.
A: In lieu of aging your wine in an oak barrel, many of the wine kits come with packets of oak chips or oak powder which are added during the initial fermentation stage. Generally, darker, fuller bodied red wines get more oak.
A: All wines should be left for at least two weeks after bottling. Wine undergoes “bottle shock” immediately after bottling and needs time to calm down. The four week kits are very drinkable after 1-3 months. The six week kits require 4-6 months at a minimum, and will continue to improve with age. The eight week kits benefit from 6-12 months of aging
A: We recommend that you consume your four week kits within 12-18 months, the six and eight week whites within 2 years and the reds within 3-4 years. Because of the lower sulphite level, the kit wines are not designed for long, long term ageing. So enjoy!