That’s us with bottling caps
First of all, please note that this is not a promotion and I have no affiliation to the owners of Wine Butler. I am sharing this just because I enjoyed the experience 😊
Yesterday, we did something unusual. We bottled our own wine. Not in a vineyard.
Not in a fancy winery. But in a quiet, unassuming place in Ontario called
Wine Butler. They have 4 locations in Ontario: Toronto, Kitchener, London and Missisauga.
And here’s the part that surprised me the most:
We paid just $1 per bottle 😃😃
How Does This Even Work?
At first, it sounds unbelievable. But the model is simple—and quite clever. Instead of buying finished wine, you are technically making your own wine.
Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Choose Your Wine
You select from a wide variety- reds, whites, rosé -from regions around the world.
Step 2: Start the Process
You visit once, add yeast to the grape juice (yes, it’s that simple) - or they can do it for youand the process begins.
Step 3: Wait
Over the next 4–6 weeks, the wine ferments and matures while the experts handle everything.
Step 4: Bottle Your Wine
You return, bottle it yourself, cork it, label it… and take it home. Each batch makes about 28–30 bottles.
Why Is It So Cheap? My take..
When you buy wine in Ontario, a large portion of the price is actually taxes and markups. Industry data suggests that around 65% of the price of retail wine can go to taxes and fees.
But when you make your own wine:
You’re buying grape juice (a food product)
Not a finished alcoholic product
So many of those taxes don’t apply
That’s how the cost drops dramatically.
No Experience? No Problem.
One of the most surprising parts? You don’t need:
Equipment
Knowledge
Or even patience beyond showing up twice
Everything is handled for you. As their process explains, you simply participate in key steps while professionals take care of fermentation, filtering, and preparation.
What It Felt Like
There’s something quietly magical about it. Standing there, bottling wine that didn’t exist a few weeks ago, at least not in this form.
Filling each bottle. Corking it. Labeling it.
It feels less like a transaction…and more like creating something.
More Than Just Saving Money
Yes, it’s cheaper.
But that’s not the real takeaway. It’s the experience.
You slow down
You participate
You wait
You return
And in a world of instant everything, that feels rare.
Why Am I Sharing It With My Audience Who Is Not In Ontario
Because I want to leave you with a thought. We often buy things ready-made. Wine. Food. Experiences. But sometimes…there is a quiet joy in being part of the process. In watching something take shape over time.And in the end, bringing home not just bottles of wine but a story 😊😊
Happy Experiences! -Yogi 💕💕
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