Congratulations on your engagement! We know you want to make your wedding as special as possible while remaining cost-effective.

Selecting and crafting wine for your guests is a unique and personal way of making your big day more memorable. Your personalized small-batch craft wine is perfect for bachelorette parties, formal meals, and even as a gift for your guests to take home in remembrance of the big day.

Craft winemaking allows for significant savings compared to purchasing wine through the liquor store. This short guide will get you started on selecting the perfect wine for your event and budget.

What kind of wine should I get?

A good general-purpose white and red (say, Chardonnay and Merlot) will go a long way, but don't be afraid to get creative either! Rosé, cider, and fruit wines are all great options as well.

If you are serving a meal, it's a good idea to pick wines that pair well with the food. Our team can provide recommendations for wines that will go great with your menu.

How much wine do I need?

If you are a planning a reception with a sit-down meal, a good of rule thumb is half a bottle per guest. That works out to about two mid-sized glasses of wine per person. Of course, some will drink less or none at all, but others will enjoy more wine than the average too.

If you are planning for an open bar, and wine will be the primary beverage served, and your wedding is a party that will go into the evening, you should plan for a full bottle of wine per guest. It's slightly more than you'll need, but it's better to have a little extra than to run out before the night is over. And leftover wine stays good a lot longer than cake!

How much does it cost?

Pricing varies depending on the style of wine and your choice of packaging. Here are some examples to give you an idea. All packages include 60 bottles of wine (46 litres) and all applicable taxes. Prices subject to change.

Classic Package - $460

• Serve good wine without breaking the budget
• 30 bottles of Winexpert Classic red or rosé wine
• 30 bottles of Winexpert Classic white wine
• Ready in five weeks

Reserve Package - $540

• A great balance between price and quality. Highlight the tastes of the great wine regions of the world.
• 30 bottles of Winexpert Reserve red or rosé wine
• 30 bottles of Winexpert Reserve white wine
• Ready in seven weeks

Private Reserve Package - $600

• The most authentic craft winemaking experience, for those who want the best. These are craft wines of distinction that will impress any wine connoisseur.
• 30 bottles of Winexpert Private Reserve red wine
• 30 bottles of Winexpert Private Reserve white wine
• Ready in nine weeks

When should I make my wedding wine?

This will depend a little bit on what kind of wine you make, but a good rule of thumb is to get started 3 months before the big day. This allows a little time for the wines to mature and be at their best.

Tight for time? Don't despair! Some wines, especially lighter wines and those with a little sweetness, are great with minimal aging and can be prepared in as little as 5 weeks.

What else should I consider?

Check with your venue: they may have rules or restrictions about bringing in your own wine.

Consider personalized labels for your bottles. A nice label with your names and the date is an inexpensive way to commemorate the big day. We can coordinate the labels and foil top to match your wedding colours.