Q:  How much does it cost to make my own wine?
A:  The cost varies depending upon the varietal of grape that you choose and the quantity selected.  The quantity ranges from ¼ of a barrel (which yields 60 bottles of wine) up to a full barrel (which yields 250 bottles).  The average cost will range from $10.00 to $14.00 per bottle.

Contact Us and we can discuss what you are thinking about. 

 

Q:  When do I take my wine home?
A:  The California grapes start arriving in late September.  The entire process of crushing the grapes, pressing, and aging the wine takes about 9 to 10 months.  During the summer months of July and August of the following year, bottling will take place and it is at this time that you will be able to take your wine home to enjoy.

GET STARTED NOW so that you can start enjoying your wine and impressing your friends and family. 

Q:  Are there any extra additives or sulfites used in your winemaking process?
A: We add only naturally occurring ingredients that help us in our winemaking process. 

Sulfites are added in a minimal amount which is necessary because of its antimicrobial ability. 
Red wine yeast is added because we want to be able to have control over the fermentation process.  There are many strains of yeast that are present on the skins of grapes so we want to have control on which type is dominant. 

Yeast nutrients are added to help the rehydrated yeast become better acclimated to their new environment.
Tartaric acid is added when necessary to boost up the acid content of the must or wine.  This is very important when it comes down to the overall taste of the wine on your tongue.

LET US SHOW YOU the process and the ingredients that we use. 

Q:  How long does the entire winemaking process take?
A:  The entire process takes about 9 to 10 months.  Within that time period, you will come in about 4 times with each session lasting about 2 hours. 

 
Q:  What types of wine can I make?
A:  We offer a numerous variety of wines that you can make.  We have both red and white wines that range from straight to blended varietals.  For the more advanced winemaker, we will work with you to come up with your own customized blend.
BECOME A WINMAKER make an appointment to come in for a Tour and Tasting. 

 

Q:  Does your facility provide customized labels?
A: We provide all the tools to make your very own personalized   label.  Our staff will work with you to create, design, and print out your own unique label.  Remember, unlike other facilities where you are only allowed one label per barrel, we allow up to four different labels.

BE CREATIVE  make a label that is really you! 

 

Q:  Can I make the wine by myself or do I have to come in with a group?       
A:  While you can definitely come in by yourself, most of our winemakers bring family and friends and make a party out of each visit.  We encourage you to treat our facility as your backyard, basement, or garage; the way you used to make wine with your family.  Our goal is to help you carry on your family traditions.

START A TRADITION TODAY make an appointment to come in for a Tour and Tasting. 

 

Q:  Where do the grapes come from?
A:  We get our grapes in the fall from California.  The regions that we harvest from are Lodi and the Sierra Foot Hill counties of Amador, Eldorado, and Lake.  At our West Paterson location, we also get grapes in the spring from Chili.

COME ON IN  and take a look at our grapes. 

 

Q:  How do I store my wine once I get it home?
A:  The key thing to remember is to place your wine in an area where the temperature stays pretty constant.  The optimal temperature is about 55-65 degrees.  The bottles should also be stored on their sides so that the cork does not have the opportunity to dry out.

COME TO OUR WINE FACILITY make an appointment to come in for a Tour and Tasting. 

 

Q:  How do I get started?
A:  There are three steps you need to take in order to get your winemaking experience started.