Oak dust

Review by BackyardMaker on 5/2/2026

Juice quality is outstanding. This is my second kit of Zin. Now about add-ons if you add yeast nutrient like I did you get vigorous fermentation and and all then oak dust will clog your carboy neck as it will be light enough to sit on top of foam cap, to remediate this I had to run blowout tube to a pot even then some dust and foam will go over. That said oak dust did add strong flavor and wine already tasted dry and oaky just under 2 weeks before going into secondary.

Adequate

Review by Mike Milstead on 11/28/2022

Can you find a wine costing $5.00 per bottle that is better than this? No. I've done the Petite Sirah, Zin and Cab. So far only the Petite Sirah has been bottled, and it was very nice.

Good Juice

Review by Tim on 5/17/2022

Just moved to secondary fermentation after 3 weeks in primary, looks and tastes good so far. Kit is sufficient and has everything you need, I would’ve preferred oak chips over oak powder, just because I feel like they stay in suspension better than powder which can cling to sides of fermenter. But other than that very happy with this kit.

Zinfandel

Review by Gary on 3/9/2022

So far so good, can't comment on tast yet as it is now bulk aging in carboy and won't bottle until May. So I'll do a follow-up review at that time.

Zintastic

Review by Mike frost on 10/22/2021

I have done two zin kits first was a 5 gal kit and I added black cherry juice and elderberry juice. Turned out fantastic. I then combined two three gal kits and just followed the directions but I bought a 6 gal American oak barrel and after primary and clearing I put it in the barrel for 6 wks. This turned out even better. I’m gonna try the petite Syrah next