The Winemaker's Shop

I came here yesterday with my friends for a wine making experience. First we did a tasting and we tasted quite a few. They were trying to help us decide what kind of wine to make, and because my friends and I have different tastes they did a great job guiding us (very patiently and thoughtfully I might add) through the choices and helped us select our wine. The actual wine making process, down in the basement, was educational and fun. It's the same as the boxes they sell in store that you can take home, but this way we didn't have to buy all the equipment. We get to go back to bottle, as well as design our own label. What a fun experience, and we'll have about 30 bottles to show for it! Great customer service and a darling little shop.

My husband and I had such a great time making our own wine at The Winemaker's Shop! The process was easy and fun. The owners are very nice and super helpful. It was a wonderful experience and we can't wait to go back!

I go here to fulfill all of my winemaking supply needs. I highly recommend this place due to it's convenient location in the center of the city (I'll admit I have to make a special trip because I live outside of the city) and they have everything you will need to make wine or beer. The staff is also knowledgeable and helpful and friendly. I think the prices are fair and reasonable, although it's hard to say because I've only ever bought my supplies at one other place.If you're making wine or beer, this is your place to get started and replenish your ingredients. Oh yeah, and replace something that you've broken in the process. Ouch!

This shop is a last resort for me for home brewing supplies. I mail order most of my hops, and seem to find the hops & grain I need pretty easily around town, doing most of my shopping at Neil House or sometimes Gentiles. I struggle finding the yeast I need; it seems like yeast is the most perishable of homebrew ingredients, and the one item that is the hardest to substitute. So, I've had occasion to visit the Winemaker's Shop (as I did today) specifically for yeast.This place is more focused on wine than beer, and is wildly over-priced. But for some reason, they seem to be better stocked, or turn inventory less rapidly, than other shops. They carry Wyeast yeast, and frequently have what I need in this department (as they did today). Based on price and selection, I wouldn't use this location as my primary place for shopping for homebrew supplies, but in a pinch, I go here.Also, the staff here is decidedly un-knowledgeable about brewing. At Neil House, Patrick (a commercial brewer) will make recommendations on recipes and substitutions. At Blacklick Liquor (which sells homebrew supplies), Joe the manager is a homebrewer and can guide you some. At Gentile's, Ryan or whoever is working the counter is most likely an experienced homebrewer and can do the same. At Winemaker's, I feel like I am dealing with a cashier rather than an expert, and would be reluctant to take their advice if it was offered, which it never has been.I would give this shop 1-star, but the fact that they've saved my bacon a number of times, providing the missing yeast I need, merits another star.

A great place everything you need to make wine. Very good location. I drove 90 miles to get here and I was not disappointed.

This is one of two local brewing stores, and the only one that is especially focused on brewing (weird, I know). The first time I went in there was the first time I brewed. I had mistakenly bought an all grain kit from northern brewer. I explained this to the woman who was working. She looked scared for me and quickly collected a pile of things that would help me (I was set up for extract brewing). She then explained carefully how I was to prepare everything and said that if I needed help I could call them and ask questions. The only reason I give it less than 5 stars is because it is fairly expensive. I think I paid more than 3 dollars for an airlock. Then again, one of two shops in a metro area so I guess they can afford the expense. Friendly staff, good products, very knowledgeable.

I am going to buck the trend here. I have been homebrewing for 2 years and have never, ever had a good experience here in 4 or 5 trips.Grossly overpriced and general lacking in the spirit of customer service, this shop and its employees just rub me the wrong way. For some reason, it always feels like the shopkeepers are genuinely distressed to stop what they are doing and help me. The saving graces are that it has a pretty good atmosphere and is generally well stocked. On street parking is usually packed, but at least it is free.

I have to admit that I'm not a homebrewer. It's a hobby that I covet, however. I guess a combination of nervousness and laziness keep me from diving in. Even though I'm not brewing yet, I do try to visit the stores whenever I spot one -- just for research's sake.The shop stocks starter kits as well as kits for individual beer and wine types. Of course, they have individual items like fermenting buckets, hydrometers and hops. The yeast selection is plenty varied as well. The employee was very friendly and helpful on the day that I visited, even though she seemed pretty busy. I asked about making mead. Though she took the wind out of my sails a bit when she said it would take a year to ferment, it was a great and informative experience. When I seriously get into the hobby, I'll be returning to The Winemaker's Shop.

I have bought products at the Winemaker's Shop sporadically over the past few years. They have a good selection of beer making equipment and ingredients. My interactions with staff have been moderate to good. I'll elaborate below.I went here when I wanted to get started with homebrewing. I'd done my research online - prices, techniques, lingo, etc. I'd read Charlie Papazian's book and was fascinated. I felt ready to jump in. The staff was eager to help me get started, and walked me through the basic equipment I'd need. I bought some hops and malt extract, and brewed a very average Brown Ale. I was ecstatic. I've bought various other ingredients to make hard apple cider, apple wine, and recently a few ingredients for root beer.Access is easy because you can park right on High St. There's also bike parking, but usually I trust my glassware to the automobile instead. Overall, I think this place deserves 4 stars for solid selection and above - average customer service. Great location, too!

The Winemaker's Shop is a rarity in that they're extremely knowledgeable and have tons of experience. It's run by a botanist and an accomplished high profile microbrewer, and it's been around for decades.The shop is really easy to peruse, and the staff is friendly and extremely well informed. I've been to beer stores that happened to have beer brewing kits, but I never get the information I need. This is especially awesome because brewing beer and wine is the absolute focus of the business, so they can field any question you might have.