An Overview of the Winemaking Process:
1) Preparation:
Here you'll choose your
kit, and assemble the small amount of equipment necessary,
then sanitize all materials, open the kit, review the instructions, and get
started!
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One 7-8
gallon food-grade plastic fermentation bucket with airtight lid, drilled
for airlock |
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Airlock
(a small plastic water valve which permits C02 gas produced by
fermentation to escape, while protecting the young wine from air-borne
contamination |
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5 or 6
gallon glass Carboy and drilled rubber stopper to fit, carboy handle |
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Siphon
equipment, including siphon starter, tubing, bottle filler |
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Corks
and a Corker |
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Bottles |
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Spoon or
Paddle, Hydrometer and Test Tube |
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Sanitizer, and, of course, the Wine Kit of your Choice.
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2)
Fermentation:
Quick and Easy! You'll empty
the ingredients into your fermentation bucket, then add water, yeast (included
in the kit), and any additive pack called for in the kit instructions. Place a
lid on the bucket, attach the airlock, and you're on the way!
3)
Transfer:
Intermittently over the next
month or so, the directions will call for actions to be taken. For example,
you'll move the wine from the fermentation bucket to a glass vessel (called a
carboy), and add various additive packs supplied with the kit.
4)
De-gassing:
When the wine is almost ready
to bottle, you'll stir it repeatedly over the course of a day to release as
much carbon dioxide as possible from suspension in the wine. This is a
simple-yet-important element in the aging process.
5)
Bottling:
The big day! You'll clean,
fill and cork bottles, and that's that. Then it's time to apply custom labels
and any other bottle adornments that tickle your fancy. In a couple of weeks
or so, your wine will be ready for drinking!
Let's get started, just click on the grapes
to EMAIL us or call for more information, Phone 706-896-1411.