Questions from a Newbie

[bwest981]

Just recently purchased a wine making kit and started my first batch. I am not sure I did this completely correct, but here are a few questions I had.

1. I use B-Brite and did not think I had to rinse. Hopefully the wine will taste alright. I just started the batch last night 6lbs. I saw on another article mentioned that this could cause the fermentation process some issues; should I add yeast nutrition products to help ensure the fermentation goes well? Also, how do i do this? Just lift the lid up add it and close it again? Will that re-oxidize the batch or ruin it in anyway?

2. Does anyone have any experience actually selling home-made wine? I think it could be a cool process to share and have someone else pay for the wine that was made. Anyone have any pointers/requirements/tips to offer? Maybe struggles that they have overcome?

3. Will this smell up my bathroom? Should I move this to my garage?

4. Recommended bottles or label companies I could purchase from?

5. Any other tips or tools that would make the process simpler; I'm using the K5 kit.

Thank you so much in advance! Excited to starting this new journey.

 

[sour_grapes]

2. Does anyone have any experience actually selling home-made wine? I think it could be a cool process to share and have someone else pay for the wine that was made. Anyone have any pointers/requirements/tips to offer? Maybe struggles that they have overcome?

Are you in the US? This is totally illegal. You have a LOT of regulatory work ahead of you if you wish to sell wine that you make.

 

[salcoco]

not sure what kit you have. is it 6 gallons rather than 6 pounds. yes nutrient is required just add to the bucket.
You must have a federal license and a state license to sell wine. that statement in no way describes all of the steps it take to get to that position.

 

[bwest981]

@Sour_Grapes: By no means, do I intend to sell wine illegally.

@Salcoco: Thank you for your input; yes i did mean 6 gallons

I understand it is a process... however you have to start somewhere.. Learn... Grow... Refine... Build... Certify... Sell...

Just looking for tips and starting points from some experts or more advanced wine makers who have already gone through what I am going through now, and maybe could help me achieve the end goal faster. Thank you!

 

[sour_grapes]

@Sour_Grapes: By no means, do I intend to sell wine illegally.

Okay, good to hear. Here is a good place on the forum to start researching that aspect: http://www.winemakingtalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=82

 

[cpfan]

not sure what kit you have. is it 6 gallons rather than 6 pounds. yes nutrient is required just add to the bucket.

Not sure what kit you have, but I've NEVER added nutrient to a wine kit. You really should tell us what kit you are making. There are different suggestions for different kits.

Steve

 

[salcoco]

start with the fed web site I believe it is TTB.gov, also check your State liquor law and least but most important what are the zoning requirements are where you would like to start a winery. then start a business plan.

 

[menerdari]

As far as the smell, I find any smell from fermenting wine is usually a really pleasant smell,
That said I would not even think of making anything in a bathroom.

 

[kryten]

As far as the smell, I find any smell from fermenting wine is usually a really pleasant smell,
That said I would not even think of making anything in a bathroom.

E. coli is not a friend.

 

[hardworkin]

As for bottles... In my state (I don't know if this is a national thing), the wineries cannot reuse their bottles once opened, so I go to the local wineries and ask to see if I can get some of their bottles that they have out to be recycled. They usually are happy to get rid of them. Then I take off their labels and sterilize them. Its a little bit of work, but well worth the savings.
You will soon find out which wineries to deal with. (Some labels are really easy to remove. Some are not.)
If you are nice to them, they will remember you for the next time.