We started out making wine at our Lil Suburban Homestead as another adventure in frugality but instead it has become a part of our homesteading practice in much the same way canning has. We have a fermentation closet and a wine rack and all the essential tools for wine making.

Making your own wine at home is more sustainable for your homestead because you can re-use bottles so you are keeping bottles out of the recycling bins and dumpsters and you are also using edible materials you can grow as well if you like which keeps expenses down and keeps your ecological foot print at a minimum and a great way to wine and dine your date on a budget.  Hey if he or she is like-minded they will absolutely love this!  Romance is in the eye of the beholder truthfully.

Remember you don’t want to always reinvent the wheel when you first start making wine it’s okay to use tried and true recipes…go out and buy a recipe book it’s worth it.  Wine making is a science and the more you learn about it the better before you embark on this journey unless you don’t mind wasting sugar and product.  The first time I made “Prison” wine I was less than pleased with the finished product.

Another good idea is to get connected with a local home-brew store  or a home brewing club often times they have ideas and information and a good home-brew store will continue to have new and exciting ideas for you!

Basic List of Supplies You Will Need To Have On Hand:

• Hydrometer
• Carboy (large glass bottle) and food grade bucket
• Sanitizer
• Nylon mesh bag of you use fruit
• Acid test kit
• Wine Bottles
• Corks
• Bottle Brushes
• Air locks

Some Great Wine Blogs On Making Home Made Wine:

Pixie’s Pocket – Quick Strawberry Pineapple Wine – a mixed result

Common Sense Home – How To Make Elderberry Wine

The Mind To Homestead – Making Apfelwein

Economies Of Kale – Homemade Alcoholic Cider

Lil’ Suburban Homestead – DIY Jerusalem Artichoke Wine

Let me know if you try any of these recipes and what you think of them!  I would love to hear about it!  This summer I am hoping we will make some dandelion and elderberry wine too I have always wanted to see what both of them taste  like. Recently at or “From The Farm” blog hop a blogger linked up what looked to be some delicious chive vinegar and I have that on my list to try this summer as well.
Make sure to go visit the wine making blog posts I shared and tell them Karen Lynn sent you! 😉

Have a great week everyone!