Best place to start

[CGorel]

Hello All, I am looking to find out who has the best beginners wine making complete kit. I want to start but with all the kits out there I need your expert knowledge.

 

[Racer]

What kind of wine do you have an interest in making? Fruit,grape, wine making kits?

 

[CGorel]

looking to make red....either a cabernet or pinot noir

 

[DageonYar]

Well, you can likely get a lot of the equipment used if you check around the bargain sites (kijiji/ebay etc...) or buy a kit from a local store like this one:

http://store.defalcowines.com/cart.php?target=product&product_id=21253&category_id=309

Then you'll also need a Wine kit (juice kit), bottles, corks, and a corker of some sort (floor corker preferably).

And then, as most in here will tell you, as they have been drilling into my head... Patience Patience Patience lol

 

[Runningwolf]

Welcome CGore to one of the finest wine forums. I would call George at http://www.finevinewines.com/ and tell him exactly what you want to do. He is the owner of this place and will steer you right without selling you something you don't need. Let him know you're not interested in upgrading to something better after doing a few batches but that you want the right equipment right in the beginning. You'll save a lot of money over time this way if your budget allows it. For instance you can get a $25 hand corker with the kit only to find out within a short time you would have been better off getting the $60 floor corker. There is plenty of other equipment you can buy later on when you become obsessed with the hobby. Once again welcome aboard!

 

[smurfe]

Welcome CGore to one of the finest wine forums. I would call George at http://www.finevinewines.com/ and tell him exactly what you want to do. He is the owner of this place and will steer you right without selling you something you don't need. Let him know you're not interested in upgrading to something better after doing a few batches but that you want the right equipment right in the beginning. You'll save a lot of money over time this way if your budget allows it. For instance you can get a $25 hand corker with the kit only to find out within a short time you would have been better off getting the $60 floor corker. There is plenty of other equipment you can buy later on when you become obsessed with the hobby. Once again welcome aboard!

George does not own this forum (he has one to) but I will add that he is who I would contact as well. I see you are in upstate New York? You may look for vendors closer to you but as said, I can vouch for The Winemakers Toy Store aka Fine Vine Wine. I have bought 90+% of my winemaking stuff there. He loves it when you call and he will see what kinds of wine you want to make and not steer you wrong. He is not one of those places that try to sell you the most expensive stuff. He sells you what you need. He knows a happy and satisfied customer will be a long term customer.

 

[xanxer82]

I second Runningwolf. Call George and he'll set you up with a starter equipment set and a wine kit.
I've bought from FVW before and always great service.

 

[Wade E]

I too use http://finevinewines.com/ and believe what Runningwolf meant was that he is the owner of that place. He will not sell you what you dont need and will actually ask what you are making and talk you out of spending money unnecessarily!

 

[Runningwolf]

George does not own this forum (he has one to) but I will add that he is who I would contact as well. I see you are in upstate New York?

Smurf I meant George is the owner of Fine Vine Wine not this Forum.

 

[vvolf34]

I too buy from Finevinewine.com. Excellent service is all I can say!!

 

[CGorel]

I found a place here in NY online named Karp's Homebrew Shop....has anyone else used them? They are close to where I work so I will not have to pay shipping