It’s no secret that I love me a glass of wine.
More specifically – I love a cold glass of Pinot Grigio. In a quiet place. With my children nearby – playing together, using the full breadth of their imaginations.
And then a unicorn shows up with a hot cheese dip and a bowl full of tortilla chips.
Oh, dreams. I have them.
I can at least ensure that the wine part happens. I look forward to warm summer evenings with friends – gabbing with a glass (or two) or wine – and not having to worry about a last-minute addition to the group.
Because I’m going to have a full cellar, peeps!
I was invited to try my hand out at wine making by RJS Craft Wine Making. These stores are a network of passionate and knowledgable craft wine-makers, all of whom strive to ensure that they help their customers create delicious and quality batches of wine.
I met Chris – one of the managers of Gillanders’ Wine Cellar in Surrey – and he gave me a step-by-step run-through of making my own wine. I brought my dear friend, Lindsay – the gal who took the fabulous photos in this post – to come along and learn with me.
I learned a LOT about craft wine-making. I was surprised to learn that there were less sulphites in craft wines than in the store bought variety. I also learned that due to licensing, craft wine-makers cannot sell or bottle the wine once it’s become actual wine. The reason that making your own wine is so cost-effective is because you don’t have to pay the liquor tax on it. The wine-maker sells you the juice, you “activate it” with yeast, and then once it’s gone through its fancy-dancy booze-transformation, you have to then come and bottle it. It’s against liquor laws for them to do it for you.
They’re juice-sellers. Not wine-sellers.
As a result of this, my wine costs about $6 a bottle. That’s less than half of what I would pay in the retail store.
Come to mama.
The shelves were lined with carboys (yes, that’s what those big bottles are called – more learning!) full of different varieties of wine. It takes about 6-8 weeks for the wine to grow-up and become alcohol. But first, you have to get it started.
Lindsay and I chose two varieties of wine. The first – not a surprise here – was the Pinot Grigio.
The second was the Winemaker’s Trio. It’s a very popular kit with a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Zinfandel. When I was stirring it, and Lindsay was snapping pictures, we both commented on how amazing it smelled.
Red wine and I aren’t very close friends (yet) – but I cannot wait to try this.
In eight weeks, we’ll be back, ready to bottle our brew.
This is another thing that I’m really excited about craft wine-making: reusing our bottles. Recycling glass and aluminum containers takes energy- it’s not a perfect science. By making our own wine, we will be corking and taking home our own reusable bottles. They’re included in the first kit fee – but then you bring ’em back and bottle your next batch in them again.
It’s eco-friendly. I love that!
In about two months, I’ll tell you guys how our wine turned out, and show you how the bottling and labelling process works. Gillander’s was a really lovely shop, and Chris was very passionate about his wine. I’m feeling pretty confident about our batches.
Now help me come up with a clever name for the wine.
“It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere?”
“Mommy-Time”?
Any ideas?
13 comments
Michelle Mortensen
That sounds like such a great idea! I cannot wait to hear how it all turns out. Someday you need to come visit Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley – where some of the BEST wines in the world are made. If you visit, send me an email and I will take you to some of my favorite wineries.
Best,
Michelle from simplysantabarbara.blogspot.com
Tara
Oh, if you’re serious, I will definitely remember this offer. 🙂
Lindsay Faber
This was SO much fun. I can’t wait to drink my juice. When it turn into booze. And thanks for the shout out lovely lady.
Tara
No prob, friend! Thank you for coming with me and taking such gorgeous pictures!
Becky
How incredibly fun! I would love to do something like this. And, seriously, the first few lines sound like they could have been written by me!
Tara
I’m glad I’m not alone with the wishes for quiet children and a snack-wielding unicorn! 😉
Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
How fun!! We’ve got a place nearby where you can make your own wine and beer. I’ve never done it, but my daughter and her boyfriend made some delicious wine and shared their bounty with us!
Tara
Oh, what a sweet daughter! Did she make red or white wine?
I can’t wait to taste ours once it’s ready.
Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
She made ice wine. Have you ever heard of that? It’s a sweet wine made from the grapes picked after the first frost, so they are super sweet. 🙂
Kat@Home. Made. Interest.
What a cool experience! Feel free to send me a bottle to sample when it is ready ;).
Tara
It was such a neat experience! I can’t wait to bottle (and sample) my wares! 🙂 I wonder if I could send along a bottle? (Within the province, I’m sure I could) – That would be lots of fun!
Kelley @Miss Information Blog
I am a total wino! I wish they had one near me!
Tara
Winos unite! I can’t wait to give this batch a try. I can’t remember where you are, Kelley – they might just happen to be nearby! 🙂