How to Make Fruit Wine (Step by Step)

Are you new to making wine? Would you like to learn? This video details each step we take over 6 weeks to make 1.5 gallons of delicious cherry wine. The same process can be used for just about any other fruit. If you are patient, you can make wine to your taste, and know exactly what's in the bottle.
Make sure you watch our second "step by step" video on wine making: • How to Make Fruit Wine...
Let us know your experience!
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Recipe for a 2 gallon bucket:
About 4 lbs of fruit (fills bucket about 1/3 to 1/2 full)
1 campden tablet
2 tsp yeast nutrient
1 tsp acid blend
1/2 tsp pectic enzyme
1/2 tsp yeast (we use Lalvin K1-V1116)
4 lb sugar dissolved in 1-2 quarts water
Crush the fruit and place in bucket. Fill half full with water. Crush the campden tablet. Let set 24 hours. Add additives, sugar syrup and yeast. Take hydrometer (specific gravity) reading. Seal in bucket; stir daily for first few days. After about a week, transfer to glass carboys, avoiding sediment. After another week or two, transfer again, avoiding sediment. When no fermentation is noticed, transfer to bucket, add campden tablet, and stir. After 24 hours, sweeten to taste, take final hydrometer reading, and bottle. Calculate alcohol by volume (ABV), and label.
Below are additives and equipment commonly used.
Additives Qty Total
Acid Blend 1 $ 1.43
Campden Tabs 1 $ 3.32
Pectic Enzyme 1 $ 2.15
Yeast Nutrient 1 $ 1.34
Yeast 1 $ 0.77
Tannin 1 $ 2.12
TOTAL $ 11.13
Equipment
Food Grade Bucket (2 gal) 1 $ 4.94
Siphon 1 $ 9.86
Carboys 2 $ 7.70
Air Lock 2 $ 1.62
Stopper 2 $ 3.28
Hydrometer 1 $ 2.72
Hydrometer Tube 1 $ 2.80
Carboy Brush 1 $ 5.99
Spray Bottle 1 $ 1.00
Star San Sanitizer 1 $ 11.99
TOTAL $ 51.90
Bottling
EZ Cap Bottle (case of 12) 1 $ 31.75
TOTAL $ 31.75
GRAND TOTAL $ 94.78

[@theotherme5538]

Happy couple! I like the way they get along. Plus they get their chickens just a little drunk once in a while. Neat people.

[@thomasjones3384]

When I put yeast into the fermentation bucket, I cover with a clean thin cloth, then after 7 days I siphon into a secondary fermentor. REASON: you want the yeast have air so it will grow in the primary fermentor. (Been making wine since 1982, wine judge at state fair for 7 years).

[@simulate2601]

The only reason I think you shouldn’t is you’re supposed to oxygenate your wort (if making beer) before you put the yeast in so it has oxygen to reproduce. And I use a carboy which has one narrow exit so positive pressure would push out and keep out any potential oxygen. Also bacteria could possibly start forming before fermentation has produced enough alcohol to keep it sanitary.

[@thomasjones3384]

@@simulate2601 The potassium Metabisulphite produces gas and keeps any air from getting to the must. During fermentation, the process of fermentation produces carbon dioxide and keeps air from the wine.

[@simulate2601]

Thomas Jones The main point of metabisulfite is to remove any wild yeasts and bacteria in your wine. I don’t make wine so oxygen is needed for the yeast to multiply, which is why I say oxygenate your wort if making beer beforehand. The second thing you mentioned I already stated, it’s called positive pressure.

[@thomasjones3384]

@@simulate2601 If you go to EC Kraus web site, he will tell you to cover the primary fermentor with a clean thin cloth during fermentation. Remember the cloth cover will help with getting the gas to dissipate, after 24 hours the cloth cover will allow air to help the yeast to grow and after that the yeast will now start too make alcohol and CO2 gas. Even I have been making wine for many years, I still; am learning things. I suggest you go on EC Kraus.com and get the right scope..

[@simulate2601]

Thomas Jones I’ve actually read that exact webpage but I’ve also read other sites which say if you oxygenate your wort or must beforehand then you can seal it and allow it to ferment. Which I like do to because there’s no transferring to carboy or risk of contamination. Just brew it, pour it, shake it, done. I’m not saying your wrong just for me this works better and is objectively more sterile.

[@diablovalley]

Thanks so much posting this! Your video has taken the mystery out of wine making and broken down the process into clear steps all the way till the end.

[@TMIATC]

I will for sure watch this video a couple times over before i actually start. Thank you for being so thorough. Even showing us your notes. I love making stuff from scratch and wine is no exception. Thank you, guys!

[@joannaherrick2215]

You helped me so much last year but I had already started the process before finding your video. This year I'm using your video from the start!

[@exoticrose1827]

Your Chickens are having all the fun ! LOL !

[@seeingdragons4319]

This is one of the nicest, most understandable wine tutorials on KZbin. Many of the others are pompous and arrogant. They think their Nobel Prize winners. It's just moonshining for Gods sake ....

[@HappyWifeAcres]

Thank you for such a nice comment. It makes our efforts seem worthwhile. We love what we do and love teaching others about it. We always try to remember how we felt when we first did something new and had a million questions. Thanks for watching!

[@tanakafupa4255]

How r they pompous

[@einsteinwallah2]

brother seeing by moonshinig you mean making potentially lethal brew or brewing any brew at all? if it is former how do you know this is not potentially lethal? i thought main source of toxicity in home brewed brew was methanol and i am yet to see an instrument in any videos to measure methanol content ... i agree that this couple is quite disarming and charming

[@OldTimerGarden]

You're wrong. This is not moonshining. Moonshine is distilled. Making wine or beer for that matter has nothing to do with distilling. Fermenting and distilling are 2 different things.

[@jonathanm874]

They say sunshine is happy I say moonshine is too

[@robertcoulthard7461]

Thank you for actually showing the all the steps. So many post they don't show everything you need to know. But yours is the best. Thank you very much

[@langr752]

Update: First two attempts, a Strawberry Mango and a Peach Raspberry are bottled and aging, they both taste great, I didn’t sweeten either because I like a really dry wine but other than a few clarification issues on the strawberry mango they went great! Each with about 13.5 % alcohol.

[@HappyWifeAcres]

That’s awesome!! Thanks for letting us know. And congratulations!

[@raybone3]

For "clarification issues", look into food grade DE (Diatomaceous Earth). You can get it at most brew shops or online (Support your local brew shop if you have one). Also look into "Bentonite Clay".

[@johnb911]

Thank you so much for listing all the equipment ect... I was just about to go look around the internet and try to make a list of stuff I needed, but I can just pull out my phone and look at your video description while I’m at the store. Thanks, very helpful, great video

[@Psykadellic77]

What a wholesome video Ive stumbled upon. 10/10 would drink definitely try your wine. Cheers !

[@scottyg4605]

Thanks for sharing this, I love videos that are made uncomplicated for us simple folk 😁

[@nguyenhongkien92]

Thank you for your video, I see a happy family too, well done.

[@rcg5317]

Beautiful wine! So clear.

[@Camille_Boomer77000]

Loved the video. You make it look so easy!!

[@AndrewOxenburgh]

Thanks for this! Really instructive. I've been making beer, but I actually prefer to drink wine, so going to try this. There are so many ways to make it. So many variations. I'm watching a few of these videos to find the best way that suits me, and the kit I actually have. Well made video. Plain, easy to follow instructions with video demo.

[@brendenirving7463]

Im makeing strawberry lemon wine for the first time and one thing i noted was that you said to put only 1 campden tablet in but thats one tablet per US gallon, i made 3 gallons so i needed to put in 3 so in your video I think you should’ve noted how much liquid you had. But overall I really loved your video and you guys were the video i watched to help me start this one im makeing now and you guys showed me how easy it is and I appreciate your video 😊

[@odelloutdoors3424]

Great video. Love the step by step process. Thanks for what you do.

[@ericeichenberger9981]

When I was a teenager an old man told me and my friend how to make “wine”... it’s easier than this. Take any liquid... juice, Koloaid, water.... add 5 cups of sugar per gallon of liquid, add active yeast, ( regular baking yeast) put a ballon (or condom) over the beck of the bottle, tape it or rubber band it on, wait a couple weeks, the balloon will expand then shrink, when it shrinks it’s done. Filter it, drink it. If you chill it and let it age awhile it does get better but you can drink it right then. Here’s how to make a nasty alcoholic drink called water Mead, put a gallon of water, 5 cups of sugar, and a packet of yeast in a crock pot turn it on high. In no time at all you will have a gross concoction that when my wife’s cousin did this after I told him about it he got drunk and accidentally burned down his apt building. It sux because he killed his pet alligator odie. But it’s easy to make alcohol. Jesus turned water into wine... easy... put bread in sugar water in the hot desert sun... it ferments into alcohol... it’s so easy to make wine I had a hollow ziplock bag of blackberries I took to work and left in my car In the summer time and 8 hours later my car smelled like I spilled a bottle of alcohol in there. They fermented right in the. Ah all by themselves, no yeast added. The natural sugars in them and yeasts on them fermented them into wine.... nope, not hard at all to make wine. Once you make the wine you can distill it and get cognac

[@KB4QAA]

Yeasts exist naturally on the fruits and grains. Adding yeast packets speeds things up, but it is entirely possible to make wine, beer, bread without adding any yeast.

[@ispeaknonsense]

Good info but, rest in peace Odie.

[@angryinc.2118]

I would like to see u have a go at all of the above in a video and post it.

[@battleverdun1914]

That was probably the wildest fucking thing I’ve ever read, RIP Odie

[@matthewarias476]

This is a goldmine of information

[@codyb4016]

Awesome video! Very informative and makes it easy for a beginner to understand. Thanks for sharing.

[@penethia2]

New sub. Yes I'm making some on sunday, with some friends. Love your methods. I will be trying them out. Haven't used fresh fruit . Blessings Penny

[@Onehundredpounds]

Thank you so so much! This has been the most helpful video !

[@holmzcat8493]

Thanks you for putting this up. You guys do a good job of explaining with out rambling on & on. Great video.

[@HappyWifeAcres]

Thanks for the comment. We try to keep our videos short and informative. We’ve all watched too many videos while yelling “get to the point!” Lol

[@skymichelle9773]

Thank you, I’m new to this and your video was very helpful.

[@wishbone54]

Really enjoyed your video. Wine turned out really clear and colorful too. Nice job.

[@miadavis4631]

Best recipe! Best self taught wine making video on KZbin. So detailed and very patient. You and your wife look extremely happy. Thank you for this!! Do you mind listing where you got your supplies from?

[@HappyWifeAcres]

Mia Davis thanks! We get our supplies from Brewtensils in Dayton Ohio. It’s a local shop to us.

[@EfffGeeee]

@@HappyWifeAcres Their website is horrible!!

[@HappyWifeAcres]

@@EfffGeeee Agree. Last time I was in there, I told them that and they said the owner was actually paying for some web design services. It’s a lot better now but still could use some work. It’s much better in person!

[@pauletteharris7666]

@@HappyWifeAcres sit sit

[@christinejames8833]

I love this! I something make wine myself. I will try your way. Thanks guys

[@jackgoldsmith9933]

Awesome video. Looking to make some myself and this was super helpful!

[@KinfolkFarmofGeorgia]

Finally a video that doesn't make it seem so hard to make wine. I put in a huge muscadine vineyard and gonna try to make wine this year. Thanks so much and I clicked the buttons lol

[@kayladouglas8512]

Wanted to get into this thanks was very educating

[@betsytowers1952]

My father used to make wine with choke cherries, but we had to wait till the day of the first fall frost to pick them. When you said that about frozen fruit now I know why. :)

[@meyou7041]

How do you know for much water to add to the must?

[@dtfunny318]

Extremely informative! I will be trying this

[@smokymcpot5917]

Until I watched this video I thought making wine would be hard but its actually pretty simple. Thanks for video guys.

[@HappyWifeAcres]

It really is easy and there’s not a strict schedule you have to stick to. Fun and delicious!

[@deborahdupain5962]

I’m a complete beginner and found your video very helpful. Thanks. Can’t wait to try this method.

[@azlanarainkhan4549]

Good knowledge for Wine made.Cherry wine I like it's your making stayle

[@wandersonluz1306]

Hi i am from Brazil, nice video and your english is very understanding...thank you!

[@Callmeleish]

Hello happy wife couple! I just want to thank you for making this video & part two to this video, it’s honestly the best wine making videos I’ve seen on KZbin for making wine at home. What I especially love is how alcohol forward you like your wines🥳🥳🤩

[@HappyWifeAcres]

Thank you so much and glad you enjoy the videos! We will release a new video soon where we compare inexpensive commercial fruit wines. They aren’t strong, but they are delicious. Wine doesn’t have to be expensive to be good!

[@truth__sayer1018]

VERY COLOURFUL GREAT JOB. NICE VIDEO. THANKS.

[@glennjeffries6985]

Great video, think I'm going to try.

[@willhoggard645]

You guys make it look easy! Beautiful color!!

[@michaelhoban9939]

Simple...easy and quintessentially super!

[@staceykersting705]

Wow! My neighbors were impressed when we made jail house pruno! We just covered the milk jugs we used with scraps of clean cloth to keep out the fruit flies. U guys are FANCY!

[@martinanastacio5040]

8:38 Wow! Those chickens are gonna have some party! 10:26 Whatever liquid is left (including the sediments within the glass containers) transfer those to a wide-mouthed jar and let it stay undisturbed for 2-3 days. Use a big syringe (with long needle) and suck the remaining wine without disturbing the sediments.

[@digapony]

thank you. that was a great video

[@johnnyrondo709]

Hey thanks folks. Looks like fun. My wife loves anything cherry, so she'll be excited to get a batch going. Sub'd and thumbed.

[@ImASurvivorNThriver]

AWESOME! Thanks for sharing.

[@winthazin8590]

thank you guys for your detailed process making of cherry wine.

[@davejalenderki]

I have never made wine before but I will now. We have sme wild berries here in East Texas called Mayhaws. They make most awesome jelly and I assume that it will make awesome wine as well. Thank you so much for making your video and taking the time to share the process.

[@kamotekeuls63]

Thankyou guys, u even made a breakdown cost of everything.

[@harryw9612]

Great video! Very informative.

[@kingcheng2000]

beautiful!

[@angryinc.2118]

Thank u Andrea and John.. Love from India

[@johnbyers961]

Great Video Guys . Thanks

[@fishsalmon8747]

Looks delicious...thanks for sharing..

[@TechSurgeonYT]

I've got a presentation on the production of fruit wine today and I'm using this to prepare. It's been very helpful. Thank you.

[@mamat-rex4482]

Lovely color.Nice couple.Thanks

[@johnc3403]

0:44 ...absolutely correct. The freezing process breaks down that fruit really well. When un-freezing it, you'll have lovely soft fruit and more juice than you know what to do with.

[@growraise-happydays6618]

Excellent stuff can't wait to have a go at something like this. Hoping to gather some more blackberries and make wine with them instead of cherries. Thanks for the video 🙏

[@sydelectric4878]

Thank you so much! Doing this this week .

[@dallyuk]

I watched your video, bought a fermenting bucket an then 10 more, a year and a half later ive made 400+ bottles 20+ flavours. Thanks

[@HappyWifeAcres]

You just made our day. Thank you and so happy you have a lot of delicious wine to drink. Cheers!

[@d0ntk1llmee10]

Thank you for sharing!

[@bigorange000]

That's the way to do it. Get your fresh fruit in the summer when they're the cheapest. Freeze them, and make you batches of wine in the fall and winter. I have several bags of frozen strawberries in the freezer now. Guess what I'm doing this weekend. Thx for the tutorial.

[@tjoya1974]

I'm going to try

[@internationalpandaes]

You guys are awesome!!!!!

[@02rh1975]

i'm trying wine making for the first time today. I went with strawberry wine in practice for the upcoming scuppernong harvest in August or September. Great video.

[@HappyWifeAcres]

Good luck! Just remember to keep everything sanitized every time you take an action. We started a cranberry-raspberry batch today. We’ll make another day by day video as that progresses.

[@yraldilon1895]

After 6 month u got it ?

[@HappyWifeAcres]

Yes! kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3uvgnaJa9eseqM

[@HappyWifeAcres]

@ sounds like grandma had it going on! The wine mix can be sweetened with about anything. Sugar is the cheapest. The key is that you want enough sweetness to feed the yeast. Check with a hydrometer to get a minimum reading of 1.010. Adding a blueberry reduction would really amp up the taste for sure! Good luck and thanks for watching!!

[@marilynreno7510]

@@HappyWifeAcres I think she was talking about back sweetening after all the yeast is gone. Thanks for your videos.

[@borninthe70speace43]

Here in 2020 of April. Home Quarantine and making wine 🍷

[@HappyWifeAcres]

What a great way to make something valuable while being locked inside! Good luck!!

[@JevonMusicGroup]

Same

[@doylejordan956]

Great video on how to do. I have a simple BUT SERIOUS question. Anyone have information or first hand experience PLEASE comment. My question: When sweeting the wine can you use pure 100% pure honey instead of simple syrup? I'm pretty sure I know the answer BUT I would love to know from someone who has actually did trade out simple syrup for honey. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE....

[@riccihershey]

Me too! 😊

[@peterpeet4507]

@@doylejordan956 honey doesn't make wine. It makes mead. Honey makes the mead have a hot taste and usually takes 6 months to years to mellow out. If you have time use honey. If you want to drink it soon use syrup or sugar. Good luck

[@jenniferboxx8081]

We're racking our pear wine tonight and adding cinnamon and cloves! So excited!

[@odearsenic8491]

this is my very first attempt at making wine. i bought everything i need and it should be here friday. i am going to start my process then, I hope i have success..

[@HappyWifeAcres]

Best wishes on the wine! Follow the recipe, be patient and keep everything clean and you'll be ok. You can go ahead and make your simple syrup now and put it in the refrigerator. That way it'll be ready when you need it and you won't be waiting for it to cool down.

[@owl369]

Thanks for this excellent video. Its also nice to see you work together

[@SHAdow3EYES]

Thank you for such an informative video , one of the best I have viewed...I am inspired to make my own wine now because of you two.... I found you yesterday and subscribed...

[@HappyWifeAcres]

Thank you so much for the kind words. Don’t hesitate to ask if you have questions. Good luck making some delicious wine and thank you for subscribing!

[@neldabaer7282]

Thanks for making this you guys

[@jennysteed5243]

How exiting..! We will try to do this....thank you for the video...

[@chukzpaulz5407]

Great job, I can wait that long for any reason. I will be glad to buy ready made🙌🙌🙌

[@stevehurst8187]

That is a nice looking wine

[@Douglas46461]

Hi! I've made very little wine in the past (3 gal) and it was way to dry. I want to thank you two for the very sweet and simple video, I really enjoyed it. If you'er ever in Kentucky look me up and I'll treat you to some good Kentucky bourbon.

[@Douglas46461]

@deucedeuce22oz From what I understand it's where all the sugars have become alcohol and CO2 and leaves it bitter and tart but I didn't know you could sweeten it to taste after the wine stops fermenting and the yeast is killed off as they explained in the video.

[@NicheAtNight]

Thank you for sharing! 😍

[@markcumbriauk]

Stunning Colour

[@garfstiglz3981]

13.6%, that must taste wonderful once it’s complete.

[@lenienschob972]

Looks clear and nice !

[@PMGK]

I just ordered everything and I'm going to dive right in when everything gets here. I made about 5 gallons of Beer once, Strawberry Blonde, and it turned out pretty good so, I'm excited to start testing the waters making wine.

[@kevykev9869]

Ok pick ok

[@kevykev9869]

Me jjj

[@luiscoelho5713]

Can you please give me a recipe for the beer many thanks

[@coltcorbin529]

I dont mean to be so off topic but does anyone know a method to get back into an instagram account? I stupidly forgot the password. I would love any tricks you can offer me!

[@kysonrayden8235]

@Colt Corbin instablaster :)

[@r0gerritter634]

it looks really good..

[@TheTayzawin]

thanks a lot for your video,i shall try some time.

[@corettapondertheempress1535]

Thank you I really enjoyed watching your video. The color was beautiful.

[@pattysupportbyswaneveena7170]

Thank you for the wonderful cherry wine recipe 🙏🏻🍷

[@HappyWifeAcres]

Hope you are enjoying some. Cherry is my favorite. After the first year making cherry, our cherry tree was blown down in a spring tornado. We've since planted a new tree and last year got ONE cherry (we split it!). We hope to get more each year and one day make some more cherry wine.

[@poopathyraaja9949]

Thanks for the tutorial😁.

[@joannaherrick2215]

I'm betting a fraction of your views are from me watching it over and over again!😂 I'm sure you'll have thousands from others within the next year. Very good video.

[@magnetodan]

If you put your fruit in a fermentation bag you don't have to strain the juice from the cherries.

[@cfx3]

Love your video.. very entertaining and useful info!

[@michaelobrien4644]

Excellent video on wine making to get rid of the hot taste as you say try mixing in 50ml of food grade glycerine you can buy it in the herb and spices section of any super market into 5 litres of wine when you are ready to bottle and it will also help with ageing cheers

[@naomiali5802]

Right .send me a bottle now Looks very good ✌out

[@hammondcheesa-angwich6009]

Thanks for this!

[@josephngo8389]

I'm making white peach wine and I'm in the primary fermentation rn. When I stirred up my mix it foamed up so much that it overflowed lol. Really excited for the final product

[@HappyWifeAcres]

That's a good fermentation! Be careful not to fill the bucket too much or the carbon dioxide will push up the fruit cap to the top, and juice will get pushed out of the bubbler and run all over the floor. I speak from experience!

[@TheMrpiggyboy]

Chokecherries are in season. So i'll be making wine. Thank you for your ihformative presintation. Very nice to see a couple doing and enjoying a hobby together.

[@jamesvatter5729]

You should make a video of your project! Curious how that turns out.

[@sonoftakeshisan5929]

Surfing the wine making tutorials and this has been the most accessible one yet. Great signposting to all the ingredients. Cant wait to try it out. I have a 30 litre fermenter, can I use it for lower quantity wines

[@HappyWifeAcres]

sonoftakeshi san Yes, you can use a larger fermenter. Just keep everything clean. Good luck and let us know how it turns out!

[@sonoftakeshisan5929]

Hi again, I have 9 litres of bramble strawbs and blueberries. Started fermenting 4 weeks ago average room temp 16°C to 18°C now ready to rack off and stabilize. I think it will need back sweetened, definately following your lead for that. Thanks for all your advice and encouragement.

[@HappyWifeAcres]

​@@sonoftakeshisan5929 If everything fermented properly, you'll have a very dry wine (no sweetness). First, get your final hydrometer reading so you know how much alcohol by volume is there. Then after it's stabilized, you can add simple syrup to sweeten to taste. There's no recipe here. Just add a little, taste, and add more.

[@ronnalscammahorn8002]

Though I've stopped consuming alcohol I did enjoy your video and shared it to my FB page . 🥃 Thanks .. ps. If you ever make home made root beer post the video please .

[@ahmelmahay]

great brew guys enjoy

[@thrashmetaljay666]

Waiting for my kit to come. Probably going to start my first batch this weekend.

[@peterpeet4507]

Any idea how your kit turn out? I make mead banana/avocado and it always turns out delicious

[@nadiamarsile3049]

Thank you .Nice to meet you .😘

[@hardy9429]

Thanks for the video

[@mechiclark7685]

Thank you for your time in teaching me how to make fruit wine. I have always wanted to try making my own but I always thought it is very difficult but your video encouraged me to do it. Though I do have a question: how do you make your sugar water? 4 lbs of sugar to how much water?

[@HappyWifeAcres]

Good question. I use as little water as possible to dissolve the sugar, which is about 1.5 to 2 quarts. The amount isn’t critical, but I like to keep the volume low so the sugar water can be added without overfilling the bucket. And good luck making wine! We just started a batch of cranberry and a batch of peach!