cherry wine recipe

How to Make Cherry Wine: A Complete Guide

Making cherry wine at home is a rewarding process that captures the essence of ripe cherries in a bottle. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to crafting delicious cherry wine.

Ingredients & Equipment:

You’ll need 5 lbs fresh, pitted cherries (sweet or tart), 2 lbs granulated sugar, 1 tsp wine yeast (such as Lalvin EC-1118), a large fermentation bucket, airlock, glass carboy, siphon, and bottles. Sanitize all equipment thoroughly to prevent spoilage.

Step 1: Prepare the Cherries

Wash and pit the cherries, gently crushing them to release juices. Transfer to the fermentation bucket, add sugar, and pour in enough cool water to cover the fruit (about 1 gallon). Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.

Step 2: Fermentation

Sprinkle wine yeast over the mixture and stir gently. Cover with a lid and fit an airlock. Store in a dark, warm place (65–75°F/18–24°C). Ferment for 7–10 days, stirring daily, until bubbling slows.

Step 3: Press & Secondary Fermentation

Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth into a glass carboy, leaving sediment behind. Seal with an airlock and let ferment for 2–3 months, or until clear.

Step 4: Aging & Bottling

Siphon the wine into sanitized bottles, leaving headspace. Cork bottles and store them horizontally in a cool, dark place for at least 6 months (longer for smoother flavor).

Enjoy your homemade cherry wine as a delightful aperitif or dessert pairing! Cheers!