Many winemakers begin with a can of grape juice concentrate, one large glass bottle, a packet of yeast and some friendly advice from a sales person or a friend. If the directions are followed and the wine gets a chance to mature, the results in the wine glass are gratifying. Retail outlets for wine and beer making supplies provide easy access to options that lead to satisfying experimentation. Concentrates are available from most of the major grape growing areas in the world. Each fall fresh grapes are imported from California and find their way into many home wineries.
Some distributors bring tank truck loads of juice to market.
A few selected grapes are flash frozen and imported for the ultimate of freshness. Closer to home, a wide variety of fine fresh grapes and chilled juices are available directly from Niagara and Pelee growers. The Ontario Grape Growers' Marketing Board provides maps and sales locations for viniferas and French hybrids available from 8,000 acres of Ontario vineyards. Working from fresh grapes or juice the winemaker has greater control over the quality and type of wine produced. With the current growing interest in the hobby of winemaking, supply stores have increased in number, making a great wealth of materials available to the adventurous home winemaker and home brewer.