In particular, Stuart's production equipment and facilities can be used more fully and efficiently by making different wines. The process of winemaking is fairly complex. For example, heavier red wines are aged in oak barrels, while lighter wines, such as the fruit wines, are aged in stainless steel barrels. Stuart makes most of his wines from a single source material, although some wines are blended. Camas Winery's huckleberry and honey wine blend illustrates some of the factors that influence production.
Huckleberries are particularly expensive.
Because attempts at cultivating huckleberries have not had much success, they must be gathered by hand at relatively high elevations. Huckleberry prices have been further elevated by increased demand in recent years. The huckleberry-honey blend can be sold for a lower price than straight huckleberry wine, and the honey wine has a neutral flavor that complements the flavor of the huckleberry wine. Stuart's involvement with wine continues even after a bottle has been sold and consumed. People can return empty wine bottles for reuse by the Camas Winery or put them into a specially marked garbage can on the south side of the Co-op.