NOTE: In-Store Wineries and the Law

There are several Provincial laws by which we must abide when operating in-store wineries.

For instance, store owner or staff are not permitted to bottle wine on a customer’s behalf.

Wine will be set aside until the customer can come in and bottle it personally.

Several basic Provincial laws we must all abide by:

1) Winemakers must be of legal drinking age to use in-store winery services.
2) Wine sampling prior to purchase is not permitted.
3) Wine sampling prior to bottling (the day of) is limited to 170ml (five ounces)

per batch by the winemaker whose name appears on the contract.
4) Winemaker’s assistants must be of legal drinking age.
5) Exchanging wines on–site with other winemakers is not permitted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Make your own wine in our clean, professional prep area.

Our showroom has a huge selection of brewing supplies to choose from!

The Winery, Make Your Own Wine 

Finish off your wine with a custom label from MacDay!

Click logo to go to MacDay.ca website!

Now, to wait! You may now go home and wait for us to call you when it’s time for bottling (approximately 4-8 weeks, depending on kit type and store scheduling). During this time, your wine will progress through fermentation and clearing; store staff will perform many necessary tasks, which include hydrometer readings, several rackings (transfers), stabilizing, clearing and the final step of filtering the wine. Of course you may bring your own bottles to re-use, or you may purchase bottles in-store.

Come on in! Lots of wine making supplies, beer making supplies AND free parking!

I am allergic to Sulphites, can I request that they not be added?

Yes. However, it voids the guarantee. We only use the smallest amount of Sulphites, 10 -50 ppm compared to commercial wines that can have as much as 350 ppm. Sulphites are added to wine to avoid oxidization and prolong the life of your wine. If it is not added, the wine should be kept in a cool dark place and drank within six months.

Do I need an appointment to come in to start a batch of wine?

No appointment necessary as it only takes a few minutes of your time.

What is the alcohol content of the wines made on premise?

The alcohol content depends on the wines you choose to make. For instance, the alcohol levels vary from 7% for Fruit wines to 14.25% for full bodied reds.

If I bring in my own bottles what do I need to do to clean them?

Although we have a Bottles washer here that sanitizes and washers the bottles before you fill them, you must ensure that the bottles are clean by thoroughly rinsing them out with hot water soon after they are emptied before you make your own wine. Store them upside down to keep any dust, contaminants and fruit flies out. If you are planning to put labels on your bottles then it is best to remove them at home. Our bottle washer will not remove labels.

Can I store my wine at the store after I have bottled it?

Once your wine is bottled it must be taken off the premises in accordance with the Liquor law requirements.  We are not allowed to store bottled wine.

Is the wine comparable to commercial wines?

Absolutely!  However, your wine will benefit greatly by giving it time to age. This really is the key to a fantastic tasting wine. 

Is it possible to make beer here too?

Although it is not possible to brew on premise beer-type beverages, we do have all the beer making supplies you may need. 

Wine Kitz is a pioneer in bringing this exciting, innovative concept to the market, and we are proud to offer state-of-the-art winery services in our store. You need not purchase any equipment, and there are only a few simple steps involved. Your developing wine will be carefully stored in our temperature-controlled premises. Read on for all the details!

The Wine Making Process - Brew on Premise 
On Day One, you will select – with our help if you need it – the wine kit of your choice. When paying for your kit and the in-store winery fee, you will be asked to sign a bailment contract, which for legal purposes moves ownership of the soon-to-be wine from the store owner to you, and acknowledges that you are making wine for personal use only

(not for resale).

You will then be directed to the preparation area within the winery, and the winemaking process will commence. Store staff will pour the liquid content of the kit into a sanitized primary pail. To ensure you are legally making the wine, you will add the yeast and stir the contents,

adding any extras such as oak chips, clarifying agents and

other flavour enhancing ingredients.

Once mixed, we’ll attach a log card with pertinent information such as date started, wine type, contact information etc., and move it into the ‘in-progress’ section of the store with many other full pails and carboys.

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