Beginner's Guide
Information to help you get started in Home Winemaking
Thinking about getting started in winemaking? Considering buying a winemaking equipment kit as a gift? The following information may help you make your decision.
There are 3 different products needed to make wine at home:
- Equipment Kit
- Wine Recipe Kit (Juice)
- Bottles
Equipment Kits
The most important part of getting started is choosing an equipment kit. All of Midwest’s equipment kits will provide all of the components needed to make 6 gallons of wine from concentrate. Read each of the descriptions to determine which equipment kit is right for you.
Starter Winemaking Equipment Kit (8200)
This starter kit is available with 4 different corker upgrades. All of the pieces of equipment are the same except for the corker. Check out our Winemaking Equipment Kits to see all corker options.
Wine Recipe Kit (Juice – concentrate)
Midwest offers a large selection of 6 gallon wine recipe kits. All of the Winexpert wine kits that Midwest sells are basically made the same way. No kit is any easier or harder to make than the other. The kits range from the Vintner’s Reserve series around $60 to the Selection Estate series around $132. Simply put, the more money you spend on a kit, the higher quality of wine you’ll make. The Vintner’s Reserve series is the most popular line of wine kits in the world with your cost per bottle around $2.00. Just choose the style of wine you would like to make and you’re ready to go.
***7 out of 10 gift givers will include a wine recipe kit with their gift.***
Bottles
Six gallons of wine will require 29-30 standard wine bottles. (750 ml) Roughly two cases of 12 and six additional bottles. Shipping glass bottles can get expensive due to the shipping weight. Many winemakers will collect empty wine bottles as they drink them, rinse them out and use them for their wine. Most folks buy one or two cases of bottles when getting started with winemaking.
***Most winemakers who accumulate 10 cases of bottles typically will have purchased 5 new cases and cleaned 5 cases of used bottles.***
Everything Winemaking Kits
Midwest has conveniently included everything needed to get started in winemaking in our Complete Package Equipment Kit. This complete package is perfect for someone just getting into the hobby that wants to open the box and make a batch of wine right away. It includes the equipment, juice/concentrate and bottles to make a first batch.
Other winemaking accessories that complement an equipment kit include:
- Midwest Gift Certificate - available in any amount!
- Jet Bottle Washer
- Bottle Tree
- Winemaking (Excellent modern winemaking book)