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Wine · Guide
The Art of Bottling Wine
| Pick | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| FastRack Green Wine Bottles 750ml, 12-Pack W5 Bordeaux | Bottles | $30.62 ↗ as of 17 Sep 2026, 2:18am GMT+0000 Details (paid link) |
| FastRack Bag of 100, #9 Straight Wine Corks | Corks | $18.89 ↗ as of 17 Sep 2026, 2:18am GMT+0000 Details (paid link) |
| 3/8" Bottle Filler with Spring | Bottle filler | $8.83 ↗ as of 17 Sep 2026, 2:18am GMT+0000 Details (paid link) |
| Portuguese Double Lever Corker | Corker | $23.20 ↗ as of 17 Sep 2026, 2:18am GMT+0000 Details (paid link) |
| Fermtech Wine Thief 18", Clear | Wine thief | $14.99 ↗ as of 17 Sep 2026, 2:18am GMT+0000 Details (paid link) |
| Brewer's Elite Hydrometer & Plastic Test Jar | Hydrometer | $21.99 ↗ as of 17 Sep 2026, 2:18am GMT+0000 Details (paid link) |
| Italian Floor Wine Corker for Bottling | If you bottle often, upgrade the corker | $92.49 ↗ as of 17 Sep 2026, 2:18am GMT+0000 Details (paid link) |
| Five Star Star San, 32 Ounce | Sanitiser | $28.98 ↗ as of 17 Sep 2026, 2:18am GMT+0000 Details (paid link) |
Prices come from Amazon and refresh nightly. A pick shows “Check price” when we do not have a current figure for it.
Introduction to Bottling Wine
For more wine tips, check out our wine making guides.Bottling wine is a crucial step in the winemaking process that requires careful attention to detail to ensure the quality and longevity of the wine. Whether you are a seasoned winemaker or a beginner, proper bottling techniques are essential to prevent spoilage, oxidation, and contamination. In this article, we will guide you through the equipment list, step-by-step process, and pro tips for bottling wine like a professional.
Equipment List
To bottle wine properly, you will need the following equipment:
- Wine bottles
- Corks or screw caps
- Bottle filler
- Corker or screw cap applicator
- Hydrometer
- Siphon and racking tube
- Bottle brush and sanitizer
- Wine thief or pipette
Bottles
FastRack Green Wine Bottles 750ml, 12-Pack W5 Bordeaux
Green glass to keep light off the wine, Bordeaux shoulders so they bin and stack. Sold without corks so you can choose those separately.
Corks
FastRack Bag of 100, #9 Straight Wine Corks
#9 is the standard diameter for a 750 ml neck. A hundred at a time means you are not rationing them halfway through a batch.
Bottle filler
3/8" Bottle Filler with Spring
The spring tip opens only when pressed against the bottom of the bottle, so wine fills upward instead of falling through air. Withdrawing it leaves roughly the inch of headspace the steps below ask for.
Corker
Portuguese Double Lever Corker
A double-lever hand corker is the cheapest tool that will actually seat a #9 cork in a wine bottle. For a batch or two a year it is enough.
Wine thief
Fermtech Wine Thief 18", Clear
Long enough to reach the bottom of a standard carboy, and it returns the sample without you dipping anything unsanitised into the wine.
Hydrometer
Brewer's Elite Hydrometer & Plastic Test Jar
Step three asks you to confirm fermentation is complete before bottling. Bottling a wine that is still working is how you get corks pushed out and glass on the floor.
Step-by-Step Guide to Bottling Wine
Follow these steps to bottle your wine:
- Prepare your equipment and sanitize all utensils and bottles.
- Rack the wine from the secondary fermenter to a new vessel, leaving behind any sediment.
- Check the specific gravity of the wine using a hydrometer to ensure fermentation is complete.
- Fill the bottles using a bottle filler, leaving about 1 inch of headspace.
- Insert the cork or screw cap, and secure it using a corker or screw cap applicator.
- Label and package the bottles for storage or distribution.
Pro Tips for Bottling Wine
Here are some expert tips to help you improve your bottling technique:
- Use high-quality corks or screw caps to prevent leakage and contamination.
- Monitor the temperature and humidity levels during bottling to prevent spoilage.
- Use a bottle brush and sanitizer to clean and sanitize the bottles before filling.
- Fill the bottles slowly and carefully to prevent splashing and oxidation.
If you bottle often, upgrade the corker
Italian Floor Wine Corker for Bottling
An iris-jaw floor corker compresses the cork evenly and drives it with a lever and your body weight, so corks seat flush and straight across thirty bottles without wearing your hands out.
Sanitiser
Five Star Star San, 32 Ounce
No-rinse at working strength, so a sanitised bottle goes straight to filling. A rinse step with tap water would undo the sanitising.
Looking for more brewing resources? Browse our wine making equipment or visit our brewing and fermentation for more tools and tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions and answers about bottling wine:
- Q: How long does it take to bottle wine?
- A: The bottling process can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on the quantity of wine and the equipment used.
- Q: What is the ideal temperature for bottling wine?
- A: The ideal temperature for bottling wine is between 50°F and 60°F (10°C and 15°C), with a relative humidity of 60-70%.
- Q: Can I use screw caps instead of corks?
- A: Yes, screw caps are a viable alternative to corks and can provide a tighter seal and better protection against spoilage and contamination.
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