In a world where you can DIY just about anything, why not try wine? There’s a good chance you already have some of the household items tucked away in your pantry. With the right tools, ingredients, and environment, you can bottle up a hefty batch of your favorite vino. Here’s how to get started:
Find the right space
In order to make 30 bottles of wine, you’ll need a 24”x 24” space. This space can be anywhere in your house or apartment, as long as it fosters the right environment for fermentation. We recommend your kitchen, mudroom, basement, or garage for easy cleanup. If you do live in an apartment and are using fresh grapes, it’s advantageous to have an elevator for transporting produce.
Create an ideal environment
Many factors contribute to the speed of fermentation and quality of your end
product. When letting your wine ferment it is ideal to maintain a steady temperature between 69 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Making sure to avoid temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit or your end product will spoil. You’ll also want to protect the space from direct sunlight, high humidity, and outside odors.
If fermenting indoors it is best to keep your wine away from windows that let in ample amounts of sunshine. If you decide to ferment your wine in a cooler space such as a cellar, basement, or garage, expect the fermentation process to take a little longer.
Gather the necessary supplies
Make sure you check your kitchen before you go out and buy anything. You never know what you may already have! In addition to left over fruit, you’ll also need something with which to crush it. You can either opt to buy a professional crusher or utilize a 2×4 and an industrial bucket.
Additionally, homemade wine can be corked in bottles that previously contained store-bought wine. You can finally re-use your empty wine bottles!
Other necessary supplies are less likely to be lurking around your house, so you’ll have to venture out and buy most of these.
Heat Shrink Capsules
For those of you who are just starting out, it may be beneficial to buy these supplies in one comprehensive kit. Adventures in Homebrewing’ starter kits come with everything you need to make almost any type of fruit wine. These allow you to produce five-gallon batches of your wine of choice, or you can opt to make one of the hundreds of wine recipes that come included in the kit. Perfect for the beginner, our Your Fruit! Wine Making Kit provides you with everything you need other than the fruit itself.
Beginning your journey as a winemaker is not as difficult as it may seem. With the right tools and a little bit of patience, anyone can make wine in their home.