Q. Do you grow the grapes in Wellington?
A. No. We are privileged to have the world’s best vineyards as our sources!
Our wines are produced in small batches, from grapes that have been crushed and then processed at the vineyards. Our juices are sourced from all around the world.
The domestic juices come from California, Oregon, and Washington’s finest vineyards. Our International juices are from Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Spain, & New Zealand and Canada.
Q. Do I need to know anything about wine making? Is it complicated?
A. Leave the expertise to us! Your participation is in choosing your wine, assisting in getting the juice fermentation started, and bottling. You will choose a label that we will customize for you. Also, you select a bottle style & color to be used.
For the next 6 – 8 weeks, the wine will stay in our care, until we call you to schedule your bottling appointment.
Your part is fun and simple!
Q. What do I do during the first appointment?
A. Taste and select your wine, with our guidance.
Then, with our help, you will pour your selected juice into a primary fermentation vessel, and add a few key ingredients (bentonite & yeast), and stir.
You will select labels and bottles at this time, also.
Q. Can more than 1 or 2 people come in at a time?
A. Yes, we can accommodate groups up to 24 by appointment.
Q. How many bottles of wine does the batch yield?
A. Each batch of juice yields approximately 6 ½ gallons of wine, approximately 28- 30 (750ml) bottles. Ice wine, Port, or Sherry wines yield 3 gallons, or 30 bottles, 375 mL.
Q. What bottles sizes and colors are available?
A. We carry 750ml in green, clear, blue, antique green, or amber.
We also have splits (375ml) in green, clear, frosted, or blue colors.
The shapes vary from Bordeaux, semi-burgundy, to stretch Renanas, and Bellisimas. These last 2 are most often used for the dessert wines.
Q. How much does the wine cost?
A. For the juice, bottles, corks, labels, and decorative shrink caps, the prices range from $195.00 to $330.00 or $6.50 to $11.00 per finished bottle. Many customers choose to bring your own bottles, and are welcome to do so. This would save you at least $45.00.
Q. When will my wine be ready to bottle and when can I drink it?
A. Depending on the varietal, from 4 to 9 weeks for fermentation before they are ready to bottle, and 3 – 8 months to age.
Low alcohol, 5-6% alcohol wines, “wine beverage” take 4 weeks and are drinkable immediately after bottling.
Premium wines, 12-14% alcohol, take around 6-8 weeks until they’re ready to bottle, and will age at home in the bottle for 3 – 8 months (depending upon the wine type).
Dessert wines, Ice wines, Port, Sherry, with 15-16% alcohol, take 4 - 9 weeks until bottling time. Although tempting immediately, they are best when aged at least 3 months. |
