How confusing is it to find the perfect wine making equipment list?! Not only is there so much information on winemaking at home, but figuring out what is essential and what can left behind can be absolutely maddening!
(I can say this because I worked in a winery and that is the definition of madness, let me tell you!)
Part of the problem is... you do not know what kind of winemaker you want to be, and the other part of the problem is *paralysis*.
The kind of paralysis that stops you from making any actionable moves towards your goal (in this case, wineeee).
You want to make wine, it sounds AHMAYZING, the photos on the internet are to die for, but man o man, how to start in the first place...
That is why you need a simplified, on-demand wine making equipment list that is *easy* and you can refer back to it again, again, and again!
It is not going anywhere!
You will get a highlight of every piece of *essential* equipment needed to make your first batch of wine!
Then, you will have a one-click-stop to everything inside an Amazon cart for your convenience to start making wine ASAP-fergie.
This post is all about a wine making equipment list.
11 Insanely Useful Pieces of Wine Making Equipment for Beginner Winemakers
Below are my to-die-for and go-to pieces of equipment for wine making or beer brewing:
1. Fermenter and airlock
The BEST part of fermenting anything is the part where you get to watch it actually bubble.
When the yeast eat the sugars in your wine, they release CO2 as a byproduct which bubbles out of your airlock.
Definition time: An airlock goes on top of your fermenter to "plug the hole" so oxygen can't get in, but CO2 can escape as the fermentation breathes!
Open air fermenting is possible, though, let's leave that to the professionals!
Ok, now it is time to ask yourself a *very* important question, are you ready?
What kind of winemaker do you want to be?
- A one-gallon batch winemaker that lives by her own rules
- A five-gallon batch winemaker who loves a good recipe to follow
Either way, you can find amazing wine making kits for either sized batch. However, a one-gallon does give you space to concoct new recipes without the labor-intensive 5 gallons.
I have fermented in both one and five gallons, and it really is personal preference, and what your ultimate goals are!
2. Sanitizer
THE most important piece of the wine making equipment list, hands down! Why, you ask?
If you go through alllll the hard work of making wine, then come to drink time and it's spoiled... or worse you get sick... yikes!
Using an effective sanitizer will eliminate bacteria that could grow and ruin your wine.
Don't roll the dice with this one and keep your ish clean!
3. Wine bottles
I think this one is a given, you need wine bottles to bottle your AMAZING homemade wine, right?!
To save yourself from having to purchase an additional wine bottle corker, and wine bottle corks, just get the all-in-one wine bottles.
These wine bottles come with the lids that are half cork and half a plastic cap. Pretty genius way to save some time and money, honestly!
When I worked in a winery in California I had to cork roughly 100 bottles of wine by hand... No joke! My hands were so sore I thought I would burst into the hulk.
So, save yourself and get the pre-corked bottles!
4. Thermometer
A thermometer is essential in your wine making equipment list because it allows you to keep a good eye on the fermentation process.
It will tell you if you need to move your ferment into a warmer environment or a cooler one.
Most winemakers will test the temperature everyday to ensure it isn't overheating or cooling.
5. Scale
In my opinion, this is a slept-on piece of in your wine making equipment list! A scale is sooooo useful when working with yeasts, tannins, enzymes, etc.
(I know that is a little advance jargon, but check out my tips below that go over all that!)
RELATED POST: 15 Powerful Winemaking at Home Tips & Tricks for Unbeatable Wine
6. Hydrometer
Have you heard of a hydrometer before? It sounds a bit techy, buuuuuut bear with me, it is super easy to use once you learn it!
Essentially, a hydrometer measures the sugars in a ferment (wine, beer, cider, etc). So, when you measure it in the beginning and then at the end of fermentation you can see the change in sugars and find the ABV from there.
Learn how to use a hydrometer here!
7. Siphon hose and bottle wand
A siphon hose is, yet another, essential in your wine making equipment list that is easy to use once you learn it and will save you soooo much hassle.
The siphon will move your wine from primary fermentation to secondary fermentation, and then again into bottles (that is why you have the bottle wand addition).
Additionally, this siphon hose has the "pump it" part which makes it sooo much easier when moving you wine around.
Check out this tutorial from Great Fermentations on how to use it!
(hint: you don't have to use your mouth!)
8. Argon gas
Here is a secret tip, so keep this secret!
Argon gas can be a LIFE SAVER! In the winery, we would "gas our wines" literally twice a day: in the morning and in the evening (with industrial argon gas, which is not what you will use!).
"Gassing" your wines essentially displaces oxygen so your wines do not oxidize or get spoiled.
Interesting enough, carbon dioxide doesn't work to displace oxygen because wine absorbs it. Yes, wine absorbs CO2, crazy!!
The argon gas used for home winemakers is a small handheld spray can that can be used once or twice a day while your wine is fermenting. A lovely piece of wine making equipment!
(spoiler: you can also use it to preserve opened bottles of wine!)
9. Label paper
A fun creative addition to your wine making equipment list: label paper!
Whether you just write on it with sharpie markers, or create an elegant design on Canva and print it, there is ALWAYS a place for a wine label.
(also a fun wine gift idea, homemade wine with a handmade label!)
The label paper is easy to use, you simply wet one side and slap it onto the bottle and allow it to dry. Truly, a simple item!
10. Fruit press
Moving into the big guns! These last two items are a bit more intricate.
A fruit press is great if you see yourself wanting to make fruit wines, or homemade grape wine, or even ciders!
I personally don't have a home fruit press, but I know lots of winemakers love them, and if it your style then get after it!
Otherwise, wine making kits are a great alternative because they come with pre-made juice.
11. Small oak barrel for aging
Ok, last and maybe least!! A small oak barrel for aging your wines.
This is obviously really common in a professional winery to give the "oaky" flavors.
So, if you are interested in rolling with the pros, this is for you!
When you move your wine into secondary fermentation you would put your wine into this barrel, then you can age for as long as you'd like. Some people do a few months, others a year.
Winemaker's choice!
(Note: it is for a one-gallon batch so change the size on Amazon if you are doing a five-gallon!)
Get everything here!
There we have it, the 11 insanely useful pieces of a wine making equipment list you need for a beginner.
I understand there might be some things on this list that do not tickle your fancy, so when you add them to your Amazon cart, simply delete the items you don't want.
Please note: BOTH the one-gallon AND five-gallon fermenters are included, so be sure to remove the one you do not want!
Are you ready to start winemaking at home? Get all the beginner wine making equipment below:
Looking for what to do next? Check out the next steps:
This post was all about wine making equipment list.