Dandelion Winemaking Instructions - 2002

The 2002 batch was begun on April 27th, 2002.

The Recipe

This is our own homemade recipe, which is really tasty! The 2002 batch was much larger than the 2000 batch which went way too quickly.

4 quarts dandelion heads
2 gallons water
3 lemons
3 large oranges
2 lb white sugar
2 lb dark brown sugar
12 oz clover honey
2 lb golden raisins

Pick the dandelions at mid-day when the blooms are wide open. Completely remove the stalks, but it's ok to leave on the little petals. Put the flowers into a ceramic bowl. Boil the water, and pour it into the bowl over the flowers. Cover tightly with plastic wrap.
Day 1 Photo Essay

Let sit for 2 days, stirring twice each day. Put mix into a pot and boil again. Add in sugar, honey and peels, and boil for an hour. Return to ceramic pot and add in juice & pulp of lemons and oranges. Stand until cool. Add yeast spread on toast, cover, and stand for 3 days.
Day 3 Photo Essay

Strain mixture and put into fermentation vessel. Add in raisins and top with airlock. Leave until fermentation stops, rack and bottle.
Day 6 Photo Essay

Wine is drinkable after 6 months (Winter Solstice), but tastes best after a year (the next May Day!)

Dandelion Wine 2002 Main Page

How to choose a store - find a supply shop you can trust, whether it's on the web or in your own neighborhood!

How to select equipment - stay within your budget, but don't buy cheap pieces that will frustrate you more than they will help.

How to make wine - basic instructions that should work for most kit setups and equipment arrangements.

Winemaking Instructions