# Making Wine at Home **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** wine\ **Created:** [February 1, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-wine-at-home/484050 "2009-02-01T23:45:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-wine-at-home/484050/1 "2009-02-01T23:45:05Z")
I’m thinking about trying my hand at making my own wine. If any Dopers who make their own wine have some input, I’d be happy to hear it. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-wine-at-home/484050/2 "2009-02-02T00:10:49Z")
Been there, done that. What do you want to know? ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-wine-at-home/484050/3 "2009-02-02T00:16:48Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Been there, done that. What do you want to know? How hard is it to make decent wine at home? Are there any particular websites you would recommend to buy supplies? Is it better (IYHO) to buy the supplies separately, or to buy a kit? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-wine-at-home/484050/4 "2009-02-02T00:23:03Z")
How do you make a good Red wine? Take away his propaganda pamphlets and tweak his nose. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-wine-at-home/484050/5 "2009-02-02T00:24:28Z")
It’s not hard to make a decent wine at home. Note: _decent_. If you are expecting to beat commercial wines, you will probably be disappointed. Beer is easier and better suited for home production. I’d start with a kit, and expand from there. I’m lucky in that I live next to any number of major wineries and vineyards. I can get fresh crush for very little money. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-wine-at-home/484050/6 "2009-02-02T00:27:35Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I’m lucky in that I live next to any number of major wineries and vineyards. I can get fresh crush for very little money. I live not too far from a couple of different wineries. Do I just go in and ask how much they want for fresh crush? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-wine-at-home/484050/7 "2009-02-02T00:32:56Z")
Basically. Ask around and see if there is a home-wine making club in your area. They might have contacts. [This place](http://www.flyingbarrel.com/) is probably the closest wine shop to you. Call them and ask. They’re very friendly folk. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-wine-at-home/484050/8 "2009-02-02T01:06:27Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Basically. Ask around and see if there is a home-wine making club in your area. They might have contacts. > > [This place](http://www.flyingbarrel.com/) is probably the closest wine shop to you. Call them and ask. They’re very friendly folk. There’s a winery that’s closer (Forks of the Cheat Winery in Morgantown, WV), but as far as I know, they don’t actively sell wine-making supplies. Frederick is about two hours from me, and probably worth a trip. Thanks for the link!