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For nearly a decade this site has served as one of the best resources for those who want to try their hand at home wine making. There are hundreds of recipes contained within this site and they are free of charge for you to use and enjoy.

My husband and I are avid home wine makers and this year we will bottle 20 varietals. It has been an exciting journey and we have met some absolutely delightful new friends. I must say that between food and wine I have met the most generous, kind and creative people. Home wine makers are warm people with much to share.

I am in the process of putting together a new fundraiser featuring the Southern Tier of NY’s home wine makers with the proceeds benefiting our children’s charities locally. I encourage NY home makers to contact me for information. I am also looking for people in the Southern Tier who are interested in joining us in our Eat Local Southern Tier Initiative. If you would like more information give me a call at 607.330.2750 or drop me an email

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Featured Wine Recipe August 2008

Watermelon Wine

Yield: One Gallon US
Beginning SG/PA: 1.085

Ingredients:
2 qts. watermelon juice
2 qts. water
1 1/2 lbs. sugar
2 1/2 tsp. acid blend
1/8 tsp. tannin
1 tsp. yeast nutrient
1 campden tablet, crushed
1 pkg. wine yeast

Instructions:

Cut melons into quarters, remove all rind parts entirely and discard seeds. Cut meat of melons into cubes.
Using nylon straining bag, mash and squeeze out juice into primary fermentor. Keeping all pulp in primary, tie bag and place in primary.
Stir in all other ingredients EXCEPT yeast. Cover Primary.
After 24 hours add yeast. Cover Primary
Stir daily and check S.G.
When ferment reaches S.G. of 1.040 (3-5 days) lightly press juice from bag. Syphon wine off sediment into glass secondary. Attach airlock.
When ferment is complete (S.G. dropped to 1.000 — about 3 weeks) syphon off sediment into clean secondary. reattach airlock.
To aid clearing syphon again in two months and again if necessary before bottling.

This wine is delightful! Those of us who plant watermelon each year always have an abundance. Now instead of woefully begging your neighbors to live on your extras, you can enjoy a taste of summer when the cool winds of fall start blowing in. Enjoy!