By Caleb MorganUpdated November 2026
Shopping for an ice wine making kit usually means balancing two things: a kit that can handle the slow, cold, low-sugar fermentation that ice wine demands, and a price that makes sense for a first attempt at a style most people only taste in restaurants. This list compares six kits sold on Amazon US. We judged each one on how complete its equipment is, how clearly its instructions handle a long fermentation, whether its ingredients suit a high-acid, high-sugar must, and how owners tend to describe the experience. We did not test these kits ourselves; the notes below are based on manufacturer specifications, brand reputation, and recurring owner feedback.
Our top picks at a glance
- 1
TOP CHOICEBest overallWine Making Kit Home Brewing – Complete Grape Juice Brew Starter SetView on Amazon - 2
TOP CHOICEBest for small kitchensHome Brew Ohio Upgraded 1 Gallon Wine from Fruit KitView on Amazon - 3
TOP CHOICEBest budget pickHome Brewing Starter Kit, North Mountain Supply Fermenting JugView on Amazon - 4
Best for fruit-based experimentsCraft A Brew Fruit Wine Making KitView on Amazon - 5
Best for growing beyond beginner batchesWine Making Kit & Mead Making Kit with Glass CarboyView on Amazon - 6
Best for large-volume batchesPremium Wine Making Ingredients Fontana French Cabernet Sauvignon KitView on Amazon
Our Top Picks
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best for | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Wine Making Kit Home Brewing Complete Grape Juice Brew Starter Set | Beginners who want a complete first batch | Glass fermenter with four bottles and a step-by-step guide |
| Home Brew Ohio Upgraded 1 Gallon Wine from Fruit Kit | Small kitchens and single-gallon batches | Mini auto-siphon included |
| Craft A Brew Fruit Wine Making Kit | Fruit and juice-based ice wine experiments | Reusable equipment that works with fresh, frozen, or juice bases |
| Wine Making Kit & Mead Making Kit | Cooks who plan to keep brewing | Glass carboy with hydrometer and siphon |
| Home Brewing Starter Kit, North Mountain Supply Fermenting Jug | Budget-minded first-timers | Jug with handle and airlock |
| Premium Wine Making Ingredients Fontana French Cabernet Sauvignon Kit | Larger batches and bottle-filling parties | Six-gallon yield with ingredients included |
Wine Making Kit Home Brewing – Complete Grape Juice Brew Starter Set
Wine Making Kit Home Brewing – Complete Grape Juice Brew Starter Set for Beginners, 1 Gallon Glass Fermentation Jar with 4 Bottles, Yeast & Nutrients, Siphon, Airlock and Step-By-Step Guide
Best for: Beginners who want a complete first batch
This is a full-stack starter set aimed at someone who has never made wine and wants everything in one box. The one-gallon glass fermenter, bottles, yeast, nutrients, siphon, and airlock cover the core workflow from must to bottle.
Key specs
- One-gallon glass fermentation jar
- Four bottles included
- Yeast and nutrients included
- Siphon and airlock included
- Step-by-step guide included
Pros
- Covers every piece needed for a first batch
- Glass fermenter is easy to clean and inspect during fermentation
- Written guide suits first-time winemakers
Cons
- One-gallon volume limits how much ice wine you can make at once
- Grape juice base may need extra sugar adjustment for a true ice wine profile
Bottom line: The safest pick for someone making ice wine for the first time who wants a complete setup without hunting for parts.
Home Brew Ohio Upgraded 1 Gallon Wine from Fruit Kit
Home Brew Ohio Upgraded 1 Gallon Wine from Fruit Kit – Includes Mini Auto-Siphon
Best for: Small kitchens and single-gallon batches
Designed for a compact, single-gallon wine from fruit, this kit suits a home cook who wants a small trial batch of concentrated, sweet wine without committing counter space to a large carboy.
Key specs
- One-gallon batch size
- Mini auto-siphon included
- Designed for fruit-based wine
Pros
- Small footprint for limited storage
- Mini auto-siphon makes racking less messy
- Good for testing a recipe before scaling up
Cons
- Single-gallon yield is small for sharing
- Owners often report that fruit-focused instructions need adapting for a grape-based ice wine
Bottom line: A good choice for a cook with little space who wants a small, low-commitment trial of ice wine style sweetness.
Craft A Brew Fruit Wine Making Kit
Craft A Brew – Fruit Wine Making Kit – Easy for Beginners – At Home Wine Making Kit – Includes Ingredients & Reusable Equipment – Use Any Fresh, Frozen or Fruit Juice – Makes Up to 20 1-gallon Batches
Best for: Fruit and juice-based ice wine experiments
This kit is built around flexibility. Its reusable equipment can handle fresh, frozen, or bottled juice, which makes it a practical way to experiment with the high-sugar, high-acid musts that ice wine styles rely on.
Key specs
- Works with fresh, frozen, or fruit juice
- Reusable equipment included
- Ingredients included
- Listed as making up to 20 one-gallon batches
Pros
- Flexible ingredient options
- Reusable equipment lowers the cost of later batches
- Clear beginner orientation
Cons
- Ingredients included are general fruit-wine supplies, so ice wine sugar levels will need planning
- Some owners report wanting more detailed instructions for cold fermentation
Bottom line: Best for a home winemaker who wants to experiment with fruit musts and reuse equipment across many batches.
Wine Making Kit & Mead Making Kit with Glass Carboy
Wine Making Kit & Mead Making Kit | Complete Home Brewing Kit for Beginners & Experts – Includes Glass Carboy, Fermenter, Hydrometer, Siphon, Airlock & More | DIY Wine Brewing Equipment
Best for: Cooks who plan to keep brewing
A broader equipment kit that works for wine and mead, this is suited to a home maker who has finished a first batch and wants a fuller toolset, including a hydrometer for tracking sugar as fermentation slows in cold conditions.
Key specs
- Glass carboy included
- Fermenter, hydrometer, siphon, and airlock included
- Positioned for both wine and mead
Pros
- Hydrometer helps track sugar levels, which matters for ice wine
- Glass carboy suits longer fermentations
- Useful beyond a single style
Cons
- Less guidance on ice wine specifically than dedicated grape kits
- Glass carboys are heavy when full, so moving them needs care
Bottom line: A strong pick for someone who wants reusable, expandable equipment and a hydrometer for careful sugar tracking.
Home Brewing Starter Kit, North Mountain Supply Fermenting Jug
Home Brewing, Starter Kit, Wine, Beer Brewing For Beginners, Jug With Handle, Airlock, Yeast North Mountain Supply Fermenting Jug Starter Kit, 1 Gallon
Best for: Budget-minded first-timers
A simple jug-and-airlock setup for someone who wants to try a small ice wine style before investing in more equipment. It covers the basics without extras.
Key specs
- One-gallon capacity
- Jug with handle
- Airlock and yeast included
Pros
- Straightforward setup
- Handle makes pouring and moving easier
- Low commitment for a first try
Cons
- Fewer accessories, so a siphon and hydrometer may need buying separately
- Owners often report needing their own clean bottles for finished wine
Bottom line: The most budget-conscious option here, best for someone comfortable sourcing a few extra parts.
Premium Wine Making Ingredients Fontana French Cabernet Sauvignon Kit
Premium Wine Making Ingredients | Makes 30 Bottles of Wine Fontana French Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Making Kit | 6 Gallon Wine Kit
Best for: Larger batches and bottle-filling parties
A six-gallon kit that yields around thirty bottles, this suits a home maker planning for a larger share, such as a holiday gathering. It is a red wine kit, so it is best used as a general reference for large-batch equipment rather than a ready-made ice wine.
Key specs
- Six-gallon batch size
- Listed as making thirty bottles
- Ingredients included
Pros
- Large yield for sharing
- Ingredients included for a full batch
- Good value per bottle at scale
Cons
- Cabernet Sauvignon profile differs from ice wine
- Six-gallon fermentation requires a larger vessel and more storage space
Bottom line: Best if you want a large, ready-to-go batch and are willing to adapt the process for an ice wine style.
Buying Guide
Batch size and storage space
Ice wine is usually made in small volumes because the grapes must be frozen on the vine and pressed while cold, so yields are limited. A one-gallon kit suits most first attempts. Larger kits need a stable spot, often around 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit for a standard fermentation, and a cool area for longer, slower work.
Good picks for this: Home Brew Ohio Upgraded 1 Gallon Wine from Fruit Kit, Wine Making Kit Home Brewing Complete Grape Juice Brew Starter Set
Fermenter material
Glass carboys and jugs are inert, easy to clean, and let you see activity. Plastic buckets are lighter but can scratch, which makes sanitizing harder over time. Check that any vessel is food-safe and has a secure airlock port.
Good picks for this: Wine Making Kit & Mead Making Kit with Glass Carboy, Home Brewing Starter Kit, North Mountain Supply Fermenting Jug
Included accessories
A complete kit should include an airlock, a siphon for racking, and bottles or a way to bottle. A hydrometer is useful for measuring sugar, which matters for ice wine because the must starts very high in sugar. Check whether these items come in the box or need separate purchase.
Good picks for this: Wine Making Kit Home Brewing Complete Grape Juice Brew Starter Set, Wine Making Kit & Mead Making Kit with Glass Carboy
Ingredient base
Ice wine is traditionally made from frozen grapes, so kits built around grape juice or concentrate are the closest match. Fruit-based kits can work for experimentation, but expect to adjust sugar and acid. Check whether the base is juice, concentrate, or fresh fruit.
Good picks for this: Craft A Brew Fruit Wine Making Kit, Wine Making Kit Home Brewing Complete Grape Juice Brew Starter Set
Fermentation control
Ice wine ferments slowly at cool temperatures, often in the low 50s Fahrenheit range, and can stall if yeast is stressed. Look for clear guidance on temperature and nutrients, and plan for a fermentation that may run several weeks or longer.
Good picks for this: Wine Making Kit & Mead Making Kit with Glass Carboy, Premium Wine Making Ingredients Fontana French Cabernet Sauvignon Kit
Durability and cleaning
Sanitizing equipment is the most important habit in winemaking. Glass and food-grade plastic clean well with a no-rinse sanitizer. Avoid scratched plastic, which can harbor bacteria, and replace airlocks or bungs that crack or warp.
Good picks for this: Home Brew Ohio Upgraded 1 Gallon Wine from Fruit Kit, Craft A Brew Fruit Wine Making Kit
Use case and scale
Ask whether you want a single trial batch, a regular hobby, or a large share for events. Matching the kit to your expected frequency keeps you from buying too little or too much equipment.
Good picks for this: Premium Wine Making Ingredients Fontana French Cabernet Sauvignon Kit, Home Brewing Starter Kit, North Mountain Supply Fermenting Jug
FAQ
What is ice wine, and how is it different from regular wine?
Ice wine is a dessert wine made from grapes that freeze on the vine. Freezing concentrates the sugar and acid, so the juice pressed from frozen grapes is far sweeter and more intense than typical juice. Home versions often approximate this by starting with a high-sugar must.
Can I make ice wine with a standard wine making kit?
Yes, but expect to adjust. Most general kits are designed for ordinary grape or fruit musts. You will usually need a hydrometer to confirm high starting sugar and a cool fermentation area to keep the yeast working slowly.
How long does ice wine take to ferment?
Fermentation for high-sugar musts often runs several weeks and can stretch longer at cool temperatures. Timelines vary by yeast, temperature, and starting sugar, so rely on hydrometer readings rather than the calendar alone.
Do I need a hydrometer for ice wine?
A hydrometer is strongly recommended. Ice wine musts start very high in sugar, and tracking specific gravity lets you confirm fermentation progress and estimate final alcohol.
What temperature should I ferment ice wine at?
Cool fermentation is common for ice wine styles, often in the low 50s Fahrenheit. Warmer temperatures can speed fermentation but may produce off-flavors. Check your yeast packet and kit instructions for specific ranges.
Is homemade ice wine safe to drink?
Properly sanitized equipment, correct fermentation, and clean bottling make homemade wine safe for most adults, but you should follow food-safety practices closely. If you have questions about alcohol safety or health concerns, consult a healthcare professional.
Conclusion
For most people making an ice wine style at home for the first time, the complete grape juice starter set is the most straightforward choice, because it covers every part of the first batch. If space is tight, the one-gallon fruit kit is a practical trial. Winemakers who want reusable, expandable equipment should look at the glass carboy and mead kit, and those who want flexibility with fruit bases will find the Craft A Brew kit useful. Budget-minded beginners can start with the jug kit, while larger events call for the six-gallon option, with the caveat that its cabernet profile is not ice wine. Whichever you choose, prioritize sanitation, a hydrometer, and a cool, stable fermentation area.
Sources
- Federal guidance on food safety, sanitation, and home food preparation practices (usda.gov)
- Information on alcoholic beverage production rules and home-production regulations in the United States (ttb.gov)
- University-backed research and guidance on fermentation and home beverage production (extension.org)
Related reading
- Red Wine Vinegar Making Kit vs Crock Method: Which Is Better for Beginners?
- Homebrew Wine Making Kit: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
- 7 Best Wine Making Equipment Kit Options for Home Winemakers (2026)
- 6 Best Wine Making Kit 1 Gallons for Beginners (2026)
- Primary Fermenter for Wine Making: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
About Caleb Morgan
Caleb Morgan is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our home brewing guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.
