If you’ve ever wondered what really happens behind the doors at Valley Vintages here in Houston, BC, you’re not alone. A lot of people hear “ferment-on-premises” and think it sounds fancy or complicated. The truth? It’s actually quite simple, completely approachable, and ridiculously satisfying.
Step One: Choose Your Wine Adventure
We start with choice, lots of it. Most of our customers pick from our wide selection of premium wine kits, which are sourced from top vineyards around the world. You can go classic with a rich red or crisp white, or branch out with a fruit wine or a dessert-style port.
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, we can also help you create a custom wine from scratch using your own fruit. Think backyard berries, orchard apples, or that bag of frozen raspberries you swore you’d use someday. We’ve seen it all, and the results are often surprisingly delicious.
Whichever path you take, this is where the creativity starts, and where you’ll probably start thinking about labels, bottle styles, and who you’ll share your first batch with.
Step Two: Mix, Stir, and Start the Magic
Once you’ve picked your wine, we get to the fun part, starting your batch. Don’t worry, you won’t be thrown into the deep end. I’ll walk you through everything.
Together we mix the juice (from your kit or your fruit), add yeast, and begin fermentation. This is where the magic happens. For the next few weeks, your wine will quietly bubble away in our temperature-controlled space, transforming from simple juice into something that smells, tastes, and feels like the real deal because it is the real deal.
If you’re the curious type, you’re always welcome to pop in and check on how things are going. Watching your batch evolve is half the fun.
Step Three: Patience, Patience, Patience
This is the part where nature takes the wheel. Depending on the type of wine, the process usually takes four to eight weeks. Reds like to linger a bit longer, whites tend to be ready sooner.
During this stage, we carefully rack, clear, stabilize and filter your wine so it’s crystal clear and tasting just right. It’s a bit like watching a caterpillar turn into a butterfly, except this one ends in a bottle instead of a chrysalis.
Step Four: Bottling Day, The Best Day
After weeks of quiet work, it’s time for the grand finale, bottling day. You’ll come in, roll up your sleeves, and help bottle your very own batch. This is always my favourite part because the smiles are impossible to fake.
We’ll show you how to use the bottling equipment (it’s easier than it looks), and you can even personalize your bottles with custom labels. Whether you’re stocking your wine rack, planning a celebration, or just want to surprise your dinner guests with a bottle that says “I made this,” bottling day is pure joy.
Why Ferment-On-Premises Is So Popular in the Bulkley Valley
Around here, people like things that are hands-on, social, and a little bit different. That’s exactly why ferment-on-premises has become such a hit. We’re the only one of our kind between Vanderhoof and Terrace, so folks from across the region, from Smithers to Burns Lake, make the trip to craft their own bespoke wines right here at Valley Vintages.
It’s not just about saving money (though that’s a nice bonus). It’s about the experience, the laughter, the learning, and that satisfying feeling of pouring a glass of something you helped create.
And because we’re local, you don’t have to worry about shipping, storage, or space at home. You can enjoy the process without the mess.
Step Five: Enjoy What You Made
When the cork finally pops, you’ll taste the difference immediately. It’s more than just wine, it’s your wine. Maybe it’s a robust Merlot you’ll bring to family dinners, or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc that makes a perfect summer evening companion. Or maybe it’s a batch of fruit wine that tastes like last year’s harvest.
Whatever it is, it’s something to be proud of, and probably something you’ll want to do again. Many of our customers start with one batch and end up making it a seasonal tradition.
Ready to Give It a Try?
If this all sounds like your kind of fun, you don’t need to wait for a special occasion to start. Swing by Valley Vintages here in Houston, BC, and let’s chat about what kind of wine you’d love to make. Whether you’re coming from right here in town or anywhere across the Bulkley Valley, we’ll make sure your first ferment-on-premises experience is easy, friendly, and (best of all) delicious.
And yes, you’ll get to say you made your own custom wine, because you actually did.
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