VineCo Wine Kits

Italian Amarone Style offers a complex flavor profile and delicious oak character Savor with hearty meals or as an after-dinner treat Flavors of tart cherry, raspberry, chocolate, and spice Full-bodied and dry, 14% ABV Whip up a batch in 30 mins or less! Yields 6 gallons (2 cases) of finished wine in 6-8 weeks Premium kit includes grape skins for an authentic wine making experience Bottle labels included for a professional finish Amarone style red wine hails from Valpolicella in the Veneto region of north-eastern Italy. Traditionally, Amarone is made from only three approved grape varieties—Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella. To prepare the grapes, winemakers use a process known as ‘apassimento’, an Italian term for drying the harvested grapes for up to several months to concentrate the sugars and flavor. Amarone is known for its full-body, strong flavor, and high alcohol percentage. Some speculate Amarone’s creation to date back to Ancient Rome, as this powerful red would have slaked the Roman’s thirst for highly alcoholic wine. Our Italian Amarone Style has a deep red fruit quality with notes of tart cherry and raspberry, a hint of chocolate and spice, with a moderate oak character. Standing tall at 14% alcohol by volume, this full-bodied wine is quite dry with a long lingering finish. The Signature Series™ Amarone Style is one of the most satisfying kits to make thanks to the inclusion of grape skins. You’ll mirror the professional vintner process of “punching the cap”, which makes your winemaking adventure even more hands on. VineCo’s jammy skin packs are much more expressive than dried grape skins, imparting more character from the grapes and boosting tannin structure in the finished wine. High quality French oak cubes are used in the making of the Amarone Style kit. One of the reasons oak has always been used to age wine is the slow release of delicious, complex compounds that complement the wines flavor. Oak cubes have more depth of flavor than chips or powder and slowly release compounds like furfural (sweet, caramel like), lignins (vanillin, spice, smoke), and lactones (classic oak flavor). French oak in particular is known to deliver refined, less apparent oakiness than American oak. It's famous for adding mouthfeel and flavors of custard and chocolate while still allowing the fruit flavors of the wine to shine through. The Vineco Signature Amarone Style is best enjoyed over a hearty meal of red steak or venison with good company, or as an after-dinner treat paired with heartfelt conversation with that special someone. Not to be poured on any occasion, but savored as a delicious moment. Amarone Style, Italy Tart cherry, raspberry, hint of chocolate and spice Sweetness: Dry Oak: Medium Body: Full ABV: 14% Kit Volume: 14 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 6-8 weeks Grape skins included Bottle labels included    

Read more less

Californian Cabernet Sauvignon ages beautiful and will be a favorite for any red wine enthusiast This will be what you want on the table when steak is on the dinner menu Flavors of dark berry fruit, spice, and vanilla Full-bodied and dry, 14% ABV Whip up a batch in 30 mins or less! Yields 6 gallons (2 cases) of finished wine in 6-8 weeks Premium kit includes grape skins for an authentic wine making experience Bottle labels included for a professional finish The world’s superlative winemaking grape, Cabernet Sauvignon is capable of producing the most complex, well-balanced, and lasting red wines you’ll ever come across. As one of the most tannic grapes used in winemaking, Cabernet Sauvignon has long been misunderstood as a wine that required ageing in order for it to develop and soften. But after decades of research, growers have learned to identify when the grapes are ready to be harvested based on the tannic ripeness, rather than sugar content alone. Although these wines are ideal candidates for ageing—and will develop beautifully when laid down—it is well within reach for winemakers to produce excellent, structured Cabernet Sauvignons that are well-enjoyed while they’re still young. Descended from Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, this relatively young grape is believed to have sprouted up from a chance crossing in the 17th century. Regardless, Cabernet Sauvignon is now the most widely planted wine grape in the world. From Bordeaux by way of California, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys the same status and adoration in the grape growing regions of the Golden State as it does back home in France. The grapes grown in California tend to be more fruit-forward and delicate, with deep dark fruit notes of blueberry and blackberry and hints of mint and eucalyptus. Our California Cabernet Sauvignon displays layer upon layer of dark berry fruit with notes of spice and vanilla. A well structured red wine with plush tannins and a dry finish. This full-bodied red is heavy on the oak character, with a sturdy alcohol level of 14%. The Signature Series™ Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most satisfying kits to make thanks to the inclusion of grape skins. You’ll mirror the professional vintner process of “punching the cap”, which makes your winemaking adventure even more hands on. VineCo’s jammy skin packs are much more expressive than dried grape skins, imparting more character from the grapes and boosting tannin structure in the finished wine. High quality American oak cubes are used in the final aging process of the California Cabernet kit. One of the reasons oak has always been used to age wine is the slow release of delicious, complex compounds that complement the wines flavor. Oak cubes have more depth of flavor than chips or powder and slowly release compounds like furfural (sweet, caramel like), lignins (vanillin, spice, smoke), and lactones (classic oak flavor). American oak in particular is known to deliver aromatic sweetness, vanillin, and an extra helping of classic oak flavor that some Californian Cabs are famous for. The VineCo Signature Cabernet Sauvignon is a must for any red wine lover. Add a few bottles to your cellar and revisit over the months and years to see just how much the wine can develop. If you want something to pair well with a char-grilled steak, look no further than this bold, assertive varietal. Cabernet Sauvignon, California Dark berry fruit, notes of spice and vanilla with plush tannins Sweetness: Dry Oak: Heavy Body: Full ABV: 14% Kit Volume: 14 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 6-8 weeks Grape skins included Bottle labels included    

Read more less

It is difficult to conjure a single description for Pinot Grigio—the grapes themselves can vary greatly in color and appearance, and the resulting wine is often heavily influenced by the dominant wine making style of the region in which the grapes were grown. Examples of Pinot Grigio can be pure, neutral, and fresh, or they can be complex, opulent, and even a bit smoky or spicy. The color of the grapes themselves can range from grayish blue to a pale yellow. In fact, Pinot Grigio is not considered to be a stand alone variety, technically. These grapes are actually a clone of Pinot Noir but the color difference comes from a genetic mutation that occurred centuries ago. Regardless of how it appears on the vine, Pinot Grigio (also called Pinot Gris depending on the region) has been planted in the Burgundy region since the Middle Ages and now enjoys a foothold in nearly every grape growing region in the world. Commonly mistaken as a native Italian grape, Pinot Gris was born in Burgundy, France and made its way to Switzerland in the 1300s and then on to Italy where it was dubbed Pinot Grigio. It took well to the grape growing regions of northeastern Italy and quickly became the country’s most popular white wine. Compared to its predecessors, Italian Pinot Grigio is characterized as lighter-bodied, with crisper acidity and flavors that are predominantly fruity or floral. Our Italy Pinot Grigio is heavy on the orchard flavors of green apple, lemon, and lime. A dry white wine with light-medium body, zero oak character, and an alcohol level of 12.5% by volume. The VineCo Original Pinot Grigio is a bright wine well-suited for bright and sunny Summer meals enjoyed outside on the patio before the sun has set. A perky beverage that seems to spur on lively conversation at the table, a feature that comes from the luminus fruit character as much as it does the alcohol. Keep the food pairings as light as your banter with seafood dishes like crab cakes, calamari, or a bowl of spicy ceviche. Pinot Grigio, Italy Green apple, lemon, and lime Sweetness: Dry Oak: None Body: Light-Medium ABV: 12.5% Kit Volume: 8 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 4 weeks Bottle Labels sold separately    

Read more less

If wines were personified by movie characters, Pinot Noir would be your Mrs. Robinson—mature and seductive. No wine evokes more sultry descriptions as Pinot Noir, often characterized as having a supple, silky texture and arousing earthy aroma. Sensual summarizations aside, Pinot Noir is considered one of the “founder varieties”. Its exact origins are unknown, but modern genetic study has revealed Pinot to be the parent of countless grape varieties including Chardonnay and Corvina, as well as hundreds of mutations of itself, including Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc. Flavors and aromas are overwhelmingly fruit-forward—raspberry, plum, rhubarb, pomegranate, and strawberry—with subtle notes of earth and damp leaves. Burgundy, France enjoys the highest acclaim for its Pinot Noir, but this grape is no less renowned in Oregon and California in the U.S. and New Zealand in the southern hemisphere. California ranks as the highest producer of Pinot Noir in the United States. The impact of the climatic conditions on the grapes is easily recognized in the finished wine. Compared to Oregon, which experiences four distinct seasons, California’s constant sunshine allows the grapes to ripen easily. The Pinot growing regions in the Golden State are often located in valleys near the coast where the daytime is warm and the evenings cool off as the coastal fog rolls in. This steady temperature fluctuation helps the grapes maintain stable acid levels, which highly impact the finished wine’s overall character and mouthfeel. California Pinot Noir is known to be darker in color with dense, ripe fruit flavors. Our California Pinot Noir is fruit-driven with flavors of raspberry and cherry, underscored by delicate earthy notes. A dry red wine with a light to medium body, moderate oak character, and alcohol content of 12.5% by volume. This wine kit includes medium toast oak chips. Medium toast oak is the most popular toast level used in red wines as it imparts a complex balance of vanillin and spice along with a nice mouthfeel.  The VineCo Original Pinot Noir demands that it be sipped and savored. Do not drink it down like you might a common table wine. Approach with a subtle assuredness like you might if an attractive stranger caught your eye from across the room. Enjoy the deep, captivating flavors as if you’re getting to know this wine for the first time. For a dance at the dinner table, pair off with something that has a touch of spice like Kerala duck curry or Char siu pork. Pinot Noir, California Raspberry, cherry, earthy notes Sweetness: Dry Oak: Medium Body: Light-Medium ABV: 12.5% Kit Volume: 8 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 4 weeks Bottle Labels sold separately    

Read more less

The world’s superlative winemaking grape, Cabernet Sauvignon is capable of producing the most complex, well-balanced, and lasting red wines you’ll ever come across. As one of the most tannic grapes used in winemaking, Cabernet Sauvignon has long been misunderstood as a wine that required ageing in order for it to develop and soften. But after decades of research, growers have learned to identify when the grapes are ready to be harvested based on the tannic ripeness, rather than sugar content alone. Although these wines are ideal candidates for ageing—and will develop beautifully when laid down—it is well within reach for winemakers to produce excellent, structured Cabernet Sauvignons that are well-enjoyed while they’re still young. Descended from Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, this relatively young grape is believed to have sprouted up from a chance crossing in the 17th century. Regardless, Cabernet Sauvignon is now the most widely planted wine grape in the world. This is the grape that put Chilean winemaking on the map. Cabernet Sauvignon vines were first brought over from France in the 1800s and it didn’t take long for growers to recognize that the terroir was perfect for this and many other Bordeaux region grape varieties. Although it was slow going at first, today Chile’s Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most celebrated regional expressions in the world. Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon is known for having softer tannins, fuller body, with some spicier notes on the palate. Our Chile Cabernet Sauvignon bursts with dark berry fruit including blackberry and black raspberry and is accentuated with notes of cedar. This medium to full-bodied red packs a moderate oak character, with an alcohol level of 12.5% by volume. This Cabernet wine kit includes medium toast oak chips. Medium toast oak is the most popular toast level used in red wines as it imparts a complex balance of vanillin and spice along with a subtle oakiness typical of many Cabernets. The oak chips also help build body and mouthfeel.  The VineCo Original Cabernet Sauvignon is a must for any red wine lover. Add a few bottles to your cellar and revisit over the months and years to see just how much the wine can develop. If you want something to pair well with a char-grilled steak, look no further than this bold, assertive varietal. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile Blackberry, black raspberry and cedar Sweetness: Dry Oak: Medium Body: Medium-Full ABV: 12.5% Kit Volume: 8 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 4 weeks Bottle Labels sold separately    

Read more less

Italiano to its core, Sangiovese is descended from Calabrese di Montenuovo and Ciliegiolo, the former from the south in Calabria and the latter from the north in Tuscany. Not only is it Italy’s most famous grape, when it comes to truly great varietal wine, the country has something of a monopoly. The greatest examples of Sangiovese are remarkably complex, savory, and rustic. A popular choice in creating magnificent blends, in addition to single-grape varietals, Sangiovese is used in the production of the most celebrated red wines to come from Tuscany, including Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Our Italian Sangiovese is a medium-bodied wine that displays notes of sour cherry, strawberry, and prune. A dry red wine with delicate oak character and an alcohol content of 13% by volume. This wine kit includes medium toast French oak chips. Medium toast French oak is subtle and provides refined flavors of custard, chocolate, and spice. French oak in general is often used by winemakers when they want to increase the mouthfeel and complexity of a wine without stepping on or surpressing the fruit.  The VineCo Original Sangiovese is a fantastic way to sample and celebrate Italian winemaking. It’s a great option when you want a glass of red that you can sit back with to sip and savor, letting its personality slowly unfold across your tongue with each taste. Options abound for meals to enjoy with Sangiovese, but pasta with tomato sauce is the easiest (if not most obvious) dish to recommend. Sangiovese, Italy Sour cherry, strawberry, prune Sweetness: Dry Oak: Light Body: Medium ABV: 13% Kit Volume: 8 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 4 weeks    

Read more less

Originating in the Burgundy region of France, in such famous appellations as Montrachet, Meursault, Poilly-Fuisse and Chablis, Chardonnay is now the most popular white wine style in the world. Chardonnay thrives in a wide range of soils and weather climates from France to Australia.  Winemakers love Chardonnay because it produces such a wide range of complex, flavorful wines. From fruit forward and crisp, to lean and minerally, to hedonistic, rich, and oaky, no wine sparks as much stylistic debate as Chardonnay.  California Chardonnay offers a full spectrum of expressions, as the grape is widely grown throughout the state from the warmer climate of the Central Valley to the cool, foggy hills near the Pacific coast. Traditionally, California Chardonnay is assumed to be full-bodied with a buttery texture and prominent oak character. But more modern approaches produce examples that have little to no oak character at all and can range from bright and fruity to soft and earthy. Our California Chardonnay has highly expressive tree fruit flavors of green apple, pear and apricot with no oak character. With an alcohol level of 12.5% this Chardonnay features a dry finish and medium body. The VineCo Original Chardonnay is the perfect everyday wine to unwind with after work. There is something calming about a glass of this shimmering gold liquid resting on your kitchen counter while you make dinner. Or pull a cork at the next weekend BBQ and share with friends. It’s always time for Chardonnay. Chardonnay, California Green apple, pear, and apricot Sweetness: Dry Oak: None Body: Medium ABV: 12.5% Kit Volume: 8 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 4 weeks Bottle Labels sold separately    

Read more less

Considered to be Spain’s noble grape, Tempranillo is a black grape variety known for producing an assortment of delicious wines that can range from complex and refined to dense and assertive. Although it can be found around the world, from Argentina to California, its most esteemed examples of Tempranillo still hail from its native country of Spain. The VineCo Tempranillo is an elaborate medium-bodied red wine with flavors of red cherry and strawberry intermingled with hints of smoke and a moderate oakiness. This dry red wine boasts a relatively strong alcohol content at 13% by volume. The Tempranillo wine kit includes medium toast oak chips.  Medium toast oak is the most popular toast level used in red wines as it imparts a complex balance of vanillin and spice along with a subtle oakiness. The oak chips also help build body and mouthfeel.   Tempranillo, Spain Red cherry, strawberry, smoke Sweetness: Dry Oak: Medium Body: Medium ABV: 13% Kit Volume: 8 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 4 weeks  

Read more less

Perhaps the most ostentatious wine grape in the world, Viognier is known for its intoxicating perfume in the glass and its prudish yield on the vine. The sparse downstream production per acre of plantings can make Viognier a prohibitive prospect for some vineyards, but it is nonetheless revered as one of the finest grapes to come from France. Although some speculate that this grape made its way to Rhone by way of Croatia thanks to the Roman emperor, Probus, in the modern age it is considered to be decisively French and singularly responsible for the famous varietal Condrieu. Often compared to Chardonnay but with more celebrated aromatics of peach, honeysuckle, pear, and gingerbread. Second only to the Rhone Valley, California’s Central Coast is noted for producing exceptional Viognier. A finicky grape, to be sure, but it excels in the warm California sun, which promotes ripeness and ultimately boosts the aromatics of the finished wine. Compared to the French example, it can sometimes be lower in acidity but with more intense fruit character. Our California Viognier bursts with gorgeous aromas of tangerine, peach, and rose. This dry white wine saunters on the palate with a light-medium body and stimulating alcohol level of 12% by volume. The VineCo Original Viognier is an incredibly expressive wine that demands your attention. One pour can easily suspend you in time as you struggle to process the preposterous symphony of armotics emanating from the glass. As such, you’d do well to pair this wine with food that is no less outgoing, such as a spicy Pad Thai or a creamy mushroom dish. Viognier, California Tangerine, peach, rose Sweetness: Dry Oak: None Body: Light-Medium ABV: 12% Kit Volume: 8 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 4 weeks    

Read more less

The VineCo Niagara Mist lineup offers a crisp, easy-drinking alternative to more traditional winemaking kits. These fruit-forward wine kits are all about capturing the refreshing essence of juicy ripe fruit. Light and crisp and offered in a full assortment of reds, whites, and rosés. Niagara Mist wines are easily enjoyed on their own, but also work well as the base for punches or wine spritzers. If you took all the berries in a briar patch and condensed it into one beverage, you’d have Niagara Mist Blackberry. This wine is packed with intense fruit flavors of refreshing blackberry. A light-bodied, sweet red wine with an alcohol level of 6% by volume. Blackberry Blackberries Sweetness: Sweet Oak: None Body: Light ABV: 6% Kit Volume: 6 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 4 weeks    

Read more less

From the French word sauvage, meaning “wild”, we get the name of this green-skinned grape. Aptly named, as vines of Sauvignon Blanc would grow ferociously if they were never inhibited by the business end of a pair of pruning shears. The flavors of the wine are just as unruly, ranging from acutely grassy to joyfully tropical. Grapes grown in cooler climates tend to produce more acidic wines with flavors of grass and green bell peppers with limited tropical or floral notes. Warmer climates can intensify the tropical fruit character as long as the grower is careful to not let the grapes over ripen on the vine. Sauvignon Blanc experiences little to no enhancement from ageing in the bottle and is almost always consumed young. Although known for its wide range of flavors, Sauvignon Blanc is widely known for having green flavors that are enjoyed by some and a complete turn off for others. Chile Sauvignon Blanc, however, has far less of these flavors and is more dominated by a citrusy character. More akin to the New Zealand style but slightly more understated, Sauv Blanc from Chile is distinguished by flavors of stone fruit, passion fruit, and lime. Our Chile Sauvignon Blanc is wonderfully herbaceous with overtones of stone fruit and tropical fruit. A dry sauv blanc with a light-medium body, absent of oak character, and an alcohol content of 12.5% by volume. The VineCo Original Sauvignon Blanc has one rule: consume young. With no benefits to aging, you should start enjoying this wine as soon as it’s ready. How you enjoy this wine is entirely up to you—it pairs so well with such a wide range of flavors that you can enjoy it with every course of the meal from appetizers to dessert. This versatility may explain why Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most popular options among the very short list of wines that pair well with sushi. Sauvignon Blanc, Chile Herbaceous, stone fruit, and tropical fruit Sweetness: Dry Oak: None Body: Light-Medium ABV: 12.5% Kit Volume: 8 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 4 weeks Bottle Labels sold separately    

Read more less

Any conversation regarding Moscato must first begin with Muscat, widely regarded as the oldest domesticated wine grape in human history. Muscat itself is not a single variety, but rather an extensive group of ancient grapes that have been growing all over the Mediterranean for millenia. Within the collective, you have some grapes that are genetically related and others that are not, but one distinct feature shared by every variety under the Muscat umbrella is the unmistakable, fruity aromatics. From there, Muscat can vary greatly in size, shape, and appearance, and are used to produce wines that run the gamut from sweet to dry or still to sparkling. Today, Muscat grapes can be found in virtually every corner of the world’s grape growing regions. Moscato, which is Italian for Muscat Blanc, is generally made to be sweet, light-bodied, and lower in alcohol. Our Californian Moscato packs a powerful fruit-forwardness with grapey flavors and notes of apple and citrus. A light-medium bodied example that is medium sweet with no oak presence. The most easy-drinking option with a laidback alcohol level of 8.7% by volume. The VineCo Original Moscato is easily enjoyed during brunch or dessert, and—if you enjoy the sweeter things in life—perhaps everywhere in between. Whether you’re lying back on a picnic blanket with a blue sky above you and a cheeseboard beside you, or you’re snuggled up on the couch with one eye on the television and the other on a souffle bowl of cobbler, an uncorked bottle of Moscato will never be out of place. Moscato, California Grapey, apple, citrus Sweetness: Medium Sweet Oak: None Body: Light-Medium ABV: 8.7% Kit Volume: 8 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 4 weeks    

Read more less

Italian Toscana Blend will whisk you away to Italy in one sip; pack your passport for this vacation in a glass Order in pizza Napoletana and sit back with a generous pour of this incredible blend Flavors of blackberry, black currant, vanilla, and spice Full-bodied and dry, 14% ABV Whip up a batch in 30 mins or less! Yields 6 gallons (2 cases) of finished wine in 6-8 weeks Premium kit includes grape skins for an authentic wine making experience Bottle labels included for a professional finish What other locale would be more appropriate as the preeminent Italian wine region than that which birthed the Renaissance? Tuscany boasts a varied landscape of rolling hills and low mountains that create a myriad of mesoclimates for unique growing conditions as you travel from vineyard to vineyard. Although sangiovese is the most widely grown grape in this region, you’d be surprised at how much the characteristics fluctuate from one to another. Some of Italy’s most celebrated red wines come from Tuscany. Wine has strong ties to art and religion in this part of the world, and for local residents, it’s part of everyday life and near-unwaveringly present at the lunch and dinner table. Our Toscana features dark fruit flavors and aromas of blackberry and black currant, with hints of vanilla and spice, accentuated by velvety tannins and a round finish. This full bodied red has a distinct oak character and is exceedingly dry with an alcohol content of 14% by volume. The Signature Series™ Toscana is one of the most satisfying kits to make thanks to the inclusion of grape skins. You’ll mirror the professional vintner process of “punching the cap”, which makes your winemaking adventure even more hands on. VineCo’s jammy skin packs are much more expressive than dried grape skins, imparting more character from the grapes and boosting tannin structure in the finished wine. High quality oak cubes are used in the final aging process of the Toscana kit. One of the reasons oak has always been used to age wine is the slow release of delicious, complex compounds that complement the wines flavor. Oak cubes have more depth of flavor than chips or powder and slowly release compounds like furfural (sweet, caramel like), lignins (vanillin, spice, smoke), and lactones (classic oak flavor). The VineCo Signature Toscana is best enjoyed as a vacation in a glass. Ride a cruiser bike down to your local eatery and grab some tomato-based pasta or Neapolitan style pizza for takeout, then pedal back home to enjoy alongside a tall pour of this voluptuous Italian red. Toscana, Italy Blackberry, black currant, hints of vanilla and spice, velvety tannins Sweetness: Dry Oak: Heavy Body: Full ABV: 14% Kit Volume: 14 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 6-8 weeks Grape skins included Bottle labels included    

Read more less

Californian Merlot is a welcome pour whether it's at the dinner table or the picnic table Pair with a basket full of charcuterie fare or burgers hot off the grill Flavors of fruit, baking spices, floral, and chocolate Full-bodied and dry, 14% ABV Whip up a batch in 30 mins or less! Yields 6 gallons (2 cases) of finished wine in 6-8 weeks Premium kit includes grape skins for an authentic wine making experience Bottle labels included for a professional finish Merlot is extraordinary in its flexibility, able to be paired with many different grapes to create magnificent blends, but easily stands on its own in varietal wines. Sometimes mistaken for Cabernet Sauvignon in blind tastings, the two grapes are both descendents of Cabernet Franc and can display similar flavors and textures, although Merlot is known for being softer and less tannic. Aromas and flavors include blackberry, cassis, baked cherries, dark chocolate and mocha, among others. Merlot ranks as the second most-widely grown grape in the world, but reigns supreme in the Médoc district of Bordeaux. California-grown Merlot grapes produce what is known as “Warm-Climate Merlot”, which is the category that Merlot grown in Australia and Argentina also fall under. These grapes tend to be heavier on the fruit notes and lighter in body. Due to the lower tannin levels and softer finish, some vitners employ a longer oak-aging process to give the wine more structure. Our California Merlot is a full-bodied red with big fruit flavors with hints of rich baking spices and purple floral notes. On the higher end in regards to alcohol content at 14%, this wine has a dry chocolate finish with a moderate oak character. The Signature Series™ Merlot is one of the most satisfying kits to make thanks to the inclusion of grape skins. You’ll mirror the professional vintner process of “punching the cap”, which makes your winemaking adventure even more hands on. VineCo’s jammy skin packs are much more expressive than dried grape skins, imparting more character from the grapes and boosting tannin structure in the finished wine. High quality American oak cubes are used in the final aging process of the California Merlot kit. One of the reasons oak has always been used to age wine is the slow release of delicious, complex compounds that complement the wines flavor. Oak cubes have more depth of flavor than chips or powder and slowly release compounds like furfural (sweet, caramel like), lignins (vanillin, spice, smoke), and lactones (classic oak flavor). American oak in particular is known to deliver aromatic sweetness, vanillin, and classic oak flavor. The VineCo Signature Merlot is not to be sequestered to the dinner table. This is a wine you want to pack up and take with you on a picnic. Enjoy with the sun overhead, a light breeze at your back, and a charcuterie board within arm’s reach. At supper time, you may find Merlot to be the perfect compliment to grilled beef burgers or a freshly chopped Caesar salad. Merlot, California Big fruit flavors, rich baking spices, purple floral notes, chocolaty finish Sweetness: Dry Oak: Medium Body: Full ABV: 14% Kit Volume: 14 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 6-8 weeks Grape skins included Bottle labels included    

Read more less

The VineCo Niagara Mist lineup offers a crisp, easy-drinking alternative to more traditional winemaking kits. These fruit-forward wine kits are all about capturing the refreshing essence of juicy ripe fruit. Light and crisp and offered in a full assortment of reds, whites, and rosés. Niagara Mist wines are easily enjoyed on their own, but also work well as the base for punches or wine spritzers. Plump and juicy like it was just plucked from the thicket, this wine gives you smooth fruit flavors of sun-ripened red raspberries. Niagara Mist Raspberry is a light-bodied, sweet red wine with an alcohol level of 6% by volume. Raspberry Raspberries Sweetness: Sweet Oak: None Body: Light ABV: 6% Kit Volume: 6 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 4 weeks      

Read more less

Californian Zinfandel will never be found out of place; enjoy its tasteful flexibility that can adapt to any scenario Whether with a cheese board or a thick cut of ribeye, this wine is the perfect companion Flavors of strawberry jam, ripe berries, allspice, and mocha Full-bodied and dry, 14% ABV Whip up a batch in 30 mins or less! Yields 6 gallons (2 cases) of finished wine in 6-8 weeks Premium kit includes grape skins for an authentic wine making experience Bottle labels included for a professional finish There may be no grape in the world that goes by as many different names. Tribidrag in the Dalmatia region of Croatia. Primitivo in the heel of Italy’s boot, Apulia. Or simply, Zinfandel, as it is known in California where you will find most of the world’s plantings. And as befitting for a grape with so many known aliases, Zinfandel is something of a shapeshifter, employed to make wines ranging from hearty, rustic red wines to light, sweet rosés and countless variations in between. Known as one of the “founder varieties”, it can be traced as far back as 6000 BCE where it was first domesticated in the Caucasus region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. Today, it is the second most widely grown grape in California, where Zinfandel vines can be found that are well over a hundred years old and still thriving. These grapes produce a soft textured, dry red wine that is packed with flavors and aromas of jammy fruit and berry. Our California Zinfandel is smooth and full bodied with a light oak character. Aromatic with flavors of strawberry jam and ripe berries, with notes of allspice and mocha on the finish. A dry red wine with a robust alcohol content of 14% by volume. The Signature Series™ Zinfandel is one of the most satisfying kits to make thanks to the inclusion of grape skins. You’ll mirror the professional vintner process of “punching the cap”, which makes your winemaking adventure even more hands on. VineCo’s jammy skin packs are much more expressive than dried grape skins, imparting more character from the grapes and boosting tannin structure in the finished wine. High quality American oak cubes are used in the production of the California Zinfandel kit. One of the reasons oak has always been used to age wine is the slow release of delicious, complex compounds that complement the wines flavor. Oak cubes have more depth of flavor than chips or powder and slowly release compounds like furfural (sweet, caramel like), lignins (vanillin, spice, smoke), and lactones (classic oak flavor). American oak in particular is known to deliver aromatic sweetness, vanillin, and the classic oak flavor that can be found in many California Zins. The VineCo Signature Zinfandel is as much of a chameleon as the grape itself, appropriately poured alongside a variety of dishes and suitable for countless social situations. It may be the first bottle you open with an appetizer of assorted rich cheeses. Or it may be just the thing to compliment a rack of lamb or char broiled ribeye. Nobody puts Zinfandel in a corner. Zinfandel, California Strawberry jam, ripe berries, allspice, mocha finish Sweetness: Dry Oak: Light Body: Full ABV: 14% Kit Volume: 14 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 6-8 weeks Grape skins included Bottle labels included    

Read more less

Malbec traces its origins, like so many others, to the Bordeaux region of France, where it descended from two enigmatic French grapes—Magdeleine Noire des Charentes and Prunelard. It is one of the five red grapes that can be blended to produce red Bordeaux, but in modern times it’s percentage in the blend has significantly decreased and sometimes commonly omitted entirely. This is due to the vine’s sensitivity to frost, which is not ideal in Bordeaux’s maritime climate. In its native region, Malbec plantings have been steadily declining for some time now. Varietal Malbec is celebrated for its soft mouthfeel, rich plum and earthy flavors, and alluring inky, dark color. Seeing the success of Malbec in neighboring Argentina long ago inspired the winemakers in Chile to plant their own vines. Cuttings were brought over from France in the early 1900s and first planted in Chile’s central valley. Initially, the Malbec produced in Chile was considered to be poor quality, as bulk production was the focus rather than a refined process technique. Over the last several decades, however, Chilean Malbec has come into its own, and is now considered an exquisite alternative to the more dominant Argentine varietal. Rather than the concentrated, fleshy character seen from Argentina, Chilean Malbec tends to be lighter and fresher, with higher acidity and floral expression. Our Chile Malbec is characterized by dark fruit flavors of blackberry and black cherry supported by a moderate oak presence. A dry red wine sporting a medium-full body and conspicuous alcohol level of 13% by volume. The Malbec wine kit includes medium toast American oak chips.  Medium toast oak is the most popular toast level used in red wines as it imparts a complex balance of vanillin and spice.  The VineCo Estate Malbec should be the first thing you grab when the flames on the grill go out. This full-bodied wine is the perfect companion for lean red meat, pork, or dark meat poultry. When you cut into that juicy filet, what better reward for a medium-rare job done well than a not-so-medium pour of Malbec? When you bring the glass up for a sip, the deep inky appearance may fool you into thinking your sunglasses are still on. Sitting back to admire the dark abyss held within your stemware may reveal your future. Hint: it’s probably another glass (or another bottle) of heavenly Malbec. Malbec, Chile Blackberry, black cherry, and oak Sweetness: Dry Oak: Medium Body: Medium-Full ABV: 13% Kit Volume: 8 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 4 weeks Bottle Labels sold separately    

Read more less

Vieux Château du Roi is a blend of French grape juices, creating a wine kit that echoes the style of red Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Châteauneuf-du-Pape, literally translated to “The Pope’s new castle”, is one of the most prominent appellations in France’s southern Rhone Valley. The VineCo Estate Vieux Château du Roi is a bold red blend with forward flavors of red fruit and spice with notes of leather. This dry, medium-full bodied red wine has a moderate oak character and strong alcohol content of 13% by volume. Vieux Chateau du Roi, France Red fruit, spice, leather notes Sweetness: Dry Oak: Medium Body: Medium-Full ABV: 13% Kit Volume: 10 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 6 weeks      

Read more less

The VineCo Original Valroza is a decadent blend of juices from Italy that result in a medium-bodied with a strong orchard-fruit character. Flavors of raspberry, strawberry, and plum are supported by a gentle oak presence. A dry red blend with an alcohol content of 13% by volume. Valroza, Italy Raspberry, strawberry, plum Sweetness: Dry Oak: Light Body: Medium ABV: 13% Kit Volume: 8 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 4 weeks    

Read more less

From the French word sauvage meaning “wild” we get the name of this green-skinned grape. Aptly named, as vines of Sauvignon Blanc would grow ferociously if they were never inhibited by the business end of a pair of pruning shears. The flavors of the wine are just as unruly, ranging from acutely grassy to joyfully tropical. Grapes grown in cooler climates tend to produce more acidic wines with flavors of grass and green bell peppers with limited tropical or floral notes. Warmer climates can intensify the tropical fruit character as long as the grower is careful to not let the grapes over ripen on the vine. Sauvignon Blanc experiences little to no enhancement from ageing in the bottle and is almost always consumed young. California is the top producer of Sauvignon Blanc in all of North America. Here the wine tends to be more fruit-forward and evoke flavors of citrus and tropical fruit. Another take on the wine was first introduced to California by Rovert Mondavi who began lowering the fruit expression through barrel aging. Both the more classic fruity New World interpretation and Mondavi’s “Fume Blanc” style remain popular as California Sauv Blanc options. Our California Sauvignon Blanc is decisively fruit-forward with flavors of citrus, peach, and passion fruit. This dry sauv blanc has a light to medium body with no oak character and an alcohol level of 13% by volume. The VineCo Estate Sauvignon Blanc has one rule: consume young. With no benefits to aging, you should start enjoying this wine as soon as it’s ready. How you enjoy this wine is entirely up to you—it pairs so well with such a wide range of flavors that you can enjoy it with every course of the meal from appetizers to dessert. This versatility may explain why Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most popular options among the very short list of wines that pair well with sushi. Sauvignon Blanc, California Citrus, peach, passion fruit Sweetness: Dry Oak: None Body: Light-Medium ABV: 13% Kit Volume: 10 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 6 weeks Bottle Labels sold separately    

Read more less

First produced by Sutter Home winery in California, White Zinfandel was made by quickly removing the zinfandel grape skins from the wine before too much color could be imparted. This resulted in a pink-colored white wine that quickly became more popular than traditional zinfandel wines. The grape itself is one of the oldest known varieties and produces a wide range of wines that can be hearty, rustic, deep reds to the light, sweet rosé style that is White Zinfandel. The VineCo Original White Zinfandel is perky and light with notes of strawberry and raspberry. This light-medium bodied wine has no oak character. Off-dry and easily enjoyed with an alcohol content of 11.5% by volume. White Zinfandel, California Strawberry and raspberry Sweetness: Off-Dry Oak: None Body: Light-Medium ABV: 11.5% Kit Volume: 8 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 4 weeks      

Read more less

The great-grandchild of Pinot Noir, Shiraz is a dark-skinned grape that produces some notably striking red wines with a wide ranging flavors of pepper, game, blackberry, spices, chocolate, and more. Also known as Syrah, some of the most exhilarating varietal examples of this wine are made in its native region of France’s northern Rhone Valley. To this day, it is the region’s primary grape and produces classic wines including Hermitage, Cornas, and Côte-Rôtie. Although Syrah or Shiraz are two names for the same grape, which name you see on the label generally indicates what style the winemaker intended to exemplify. Syrah is the classic interpretation of a powerful, complex wine with high tannin levels, whereas Shiraz is more likely to follow the New World translation, which is less assertively tannic and has more fruity, almost jammy flavors. Syrah was first brought to Australia by British immigrant and viticulturist James Busby. After living in Australia for several years, he traveled to Spain and France to continue his studies and brought back vine clippings when he returned. Here is where the grape was first given the name Shiraz and remains the leading grape in the country. Australian Shiraz tends to be less gamey than its Syrah predecessors, and is known to have spirited flavors and aromas of berry and an almost syrupy mouthfeel. Our Australia Shiraz is decadently full-bodied, displaying deep flavors and aromas of black currant and dark chocolate with a distinct meaty element. A moderate oak presence plays well with the wine’s strong, assertive qualities. A dry red wine with a prominent alcohol level of 13.5% by volume. Includes medium toast American oak chips. Medium toast oak is the most popular toast level used in red wines as it imparts a complex balance of vanillin and spice along with a nice mouthfeel. The VineCo Estate Shiraz is a wine lover’s red wine. Not to be poured as an afterthought or used as an alcoholic sidekick to a random activity. Relax with a glass and allow this beverage to be the main attraction. Each sip will command your attention as energetic flavors explode across your palate. If enjoyed with food, be sure to choose fare that can stand up to this dominating varietal. Intensely flavorful barbecued meats or spicy latin dishes are great pairing options. Shiraz, Australia Black currant, dark chocolate, meaty Sweetness: Dry Oak: Medium Body: Full ABV: 13.5% Kit Volume: 10 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 6 weeks Bottle Labels sold separately    

Read more less

Merlot is extraordinary in its flexibility, able to be paired with many different grapes to create magnificent blends, but easily stands on its own in varietal wines. Sometimes mistaken for Cabernet Sauvignon in blind tastings, the two grapes are both descendents of Cabernet Franc and can display similar flavors and textures, although Merlot is known for being softer and less tannic. Aromas and flavors include blackberry, cassis, baked cherries, dark chocolate and mocha, among others. Merlot ranks as the second most-widely grown grape in the world, but reigns supreme in the Médoc district of Bordeaux. Merlot was one of several red grape vines originally brought from France to Chile in the 19th century and quickly adapted to the country’s perfect terroir for growing Bordeaux varieties. Similar to California, Merlot produced in Chile is known as “Warm-Climate Merlot” and shares a similar flavor profile. These grapes tend to be heavier on the fruit notes with a strong tannic character. Our Chile Merlot is a medium-bodied red with flavors of blackberry, cherry, and vanilla. A dry red wine with medium oak character and an alcohol content of 13%. The Merlot wine kit includes medium toast American oak chips.  Medium toast oak is the most popular toast level used in red wines as it imparts a complex balance of vanillin and spice. American oak is famous for providing classic oak aromas. The VineCo Original Merlot is not to be sequestered to the dinner table. This is a wine you want to pack up and take with you on a picnic. Enjoy with the sun overhead, a light breeze at your back, and a charcuterie board within arm’s reach. At supper time, you may find Merlot to be the perfect compliment to grilled beef burgers or a freshly chopped Caesar salad. Merlot, Chile Blackberry, cherry and vanilla Sweetness: Dry Oak: Medium Body: Medium ABV: 13% Kit Volume: 8 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 4 weeks Bottle Labels sold separately    

Read more less

This highly expressive white wine is renowned for its explosive aromatics that rocket out of the glass. Fruit-dominant notes of lychees, marmalade, passion fruit, roses, and grapefruit pith are so entrancing that Gewürztraminer is commonly mistaken to be sweet. In reality, this wine is usually off-dry and some of the best examples are distinctly dry. This pink- to red-skinned grape is not itself a unique variety, but rather an extraordinarily fragrant clone of Savagnin (also called Traminer) known as Savagnin Rosé or Gewürztraminer. The Traminer variety was named after the village of Tramin that resides in a German-speaking province in northern Italy. “Gewürz” is German for spice or seasoning, and serves as an appropriate prefix to a grape that is nothing if not potently aromatic. Gewürztraminer has a relatively small foothold in the grape growing regions of California. With less than 2,000 acres of vines, it really comes down to a passionate handful of winemakers that keep Gewürz alive in the Golden State. It is mostly relegated to the cooler climates in the northern regions of Monterey, Sonoma, and Anderson Valley. The wine tends to follow the Alsace model, made to be either dry or off-dry, with some of the best examples being a decidedly dry wine with less than 1% residual sugar. Our California Gewürztraminer has a floral character with pronounced notes of apricot and pineapple. An off-dry white wine with no oak presence, light-medium body, and an alcohol content of 12% by volume. The Original Series Gewürztraminer is a fantastic daytime wine that can match any playful activity under the sun with its own sprightly energy. With a relatively restrained alcohol level, this wine is perfect to start off with in the afternoon and keep you perky into the evening. Excellent alongside a midday snack of dried fruit and soft cow’s milk cheeses. Gewurztraminer, California Floral, apricot, pineapple Sweetness: Off-Dry Oak: None Body: Light-Medium ABV: 12% Kit Volume: 8 L Approximate Yield: 23 L Ready to bottle in 4 weeks Bottle Labels sold separately    

Read more less