Skip to content
BACKUP WINE
A premium Italian Amarone-style wine kit box with crushed grape skins on a dark wooden surface
Premium Wine Kit

Premium Amarone-Style Kit

The big one. Skin pack, long aging, serious wine.

Russ-approvedBest for big batchesBest for redsEditor's choice

≈ $175–$195price range

Premium 16+ liter kits with a crushed-grape skin pack added at primary fermentation. The result is a darker, denser, more structured wine than anything you'll get from a standard concentrate.

Plan for 8–12 months in the carboy and another 6 in the bottle. This is not a Tuesday wine. This is a 'I made this for our anniversary' wine.

Where to buy

We don't sell this — these links go to retailers who do. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Buy on AmazonPrimary pick$175MoreWine$195Northern Brewer$189

Why we like it

Russ has won more than one friendly bet by pouring this blind against $40 store-bought Amarones.

Who it's for

Anyone past their fifth or sixth batch and ready to make something that actually impresses.

What's in the box

  • 16+ liter premium juice + skin pack
  • Yields ~30 bottles
  • Bulk age 8–12 months in carboy
  • Bottle age another 6+ months before drinking

Goes well with

Cabernet Sauvignon home wine making kit on a rustic workshop table
Wine Kit
Russ-approvedBeginner top pickBest for reds

Russ-Approved Cabernet Kit

The exact kit that started the whole blue-tape situation.

See where to buy →
A 6-gallon plastic pail of fresh red grape juice on a wooden floor
Juice
Russ-approvedBest for big batchesBest for reds

Fresh Red Grape Juice Pail (6 gal)

The seasonal upgrade. Real juice, harvest-fresh, no concentrate.

See where to buy →
A boxed Merlot home wine making kit on a rustic workbench
Wine Kit$99–$115
Russ & Todd approvedBest for redsBeginner top pick

Merlot Kit

The Thanksgiving wine. Smooth, plummy, hard to mess up.

See where to buy →priced 2025-11-20