How is wine made is a very popular question among wine lovers today.

In it’s simplest terms, wine is made by planting vines, growing grapes, picking and crushing those grapes, allowing their juices to ferment, and putting the resulting liquid into bottles.

However, for wineries, the answer to the question “how is wine made” is much more complex than this.

Winemakers have important decisions to make during every step in the wine making process. These decisions can either favorably or unfavorably effect their final product. Of course, mother nature also has a say.
The basic wine making steps are:




Choosing A Vineyard

produce, and for the grapes to ripen properly.
Deciding When To Harvest



Preparation And Crushing

At some point, the grapes will be separated from their stems and leaves, usually by a special machine. If left in contact with the grapes too long after harvest, stems can give off a bitter unwanted taste.



Red grape skins will remain with their juice to impart their color, tannins, and flavor to the wine.






Stainless steel vats or oak barrels may be used for white wines. Oak barrels, American or French, are typically used for red wines. However, in what type of vessel a wine ferments in, and for how long they ferment, is up to each individual winemaker. The type of fermentation vat or barrel chosen will also give the wine some of its flavor.

At some time during the fermentation process or just after fermentation, red wine skins are separated from their juices.
Racking – Fining – Filtering


Bottling and Aging

The final step in the wine making process is putting the finished liquid into its bottle and labeling it. Some wines will be ready to drink right away. Most will be aged for a time before they are released to the public.

We hope you enjoyed this wine making information and that your question how is wine made has been answered.