Fruit
17.5 lbs
Sugar
6.6 lbs
ABV
12%
6.6 lbs
3.5 gal
0g
5 tab
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Inputs
Result
Strawberry = 3.5 lbs/gal × 5 = 17.5 lbs. Brix deficit = 22 − 8 = 14. Sugar = 14 × 1.5 oz/Brix/gal × 5 gal = 105 oz = 6.6 lbs. Water ~70% of volume = 3.5 gal. Pectic enzyme = 0.5 tsp/gal × 5 = 2.5 tsp.
Inputs
Result
Blueberry = 3 lbs/gal × 1 = 3 lbs. Brix deficit = 19 − 10 = 9. Sugar = 9 × 1.5 oz × 1 = 13.5 oz = 0.8 lbs. Water = 0.7 gal. Pectic enzyme = 0.5 tsp.
The amount of fruit varies by type. Berries and stone fruits typically need 3–4 pounds per gallon. Strawberry wine uses 3.5 lbs/gal, blueberry 3 lbs/gal, and blackberry 4 lbs/gal. Apples need about 4 lbs/gal. More fruit gives deeper color and richer flavor. For a 5-gallon batch of strawberry wine, you need about 17.5 pounds of fruit.
| Fruit | Lbs/Gallon | Natural Brix | 5 Gal Batch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strawberry | 3.5 | 8% | 17.5 lbs |
| Blueberry | 3 | 10% | 15 lbs |
| Blackberry | 4 | 9% | 20 lbs |
| Apple | 4 | 12% | 20 lbs |
| Cherry | 3.5 | 14% | 17.5 lbs |
Sugar addition depends on the fruit's natural sugar content and your target ABV. Most fruits have 8—14 Brix naturally, but you need 19–25 Brix for 10—14% ABV wine. For 12% ABV strawberry wine (8 Brix natural, 22 Brix target), you need about 1.5 oz of sugar per Brix point per gallon to bridge the 14-point deficit — roughly 7.5 pounds for a 5-gallon batch.
Lalvin 71B is the most popular fruit wine yeast because it metabolizes malic acid, softening tart fruits. It has a 14% alcohol tolerance and produces fruity esters. Lalvin EC-1118 is more neutral with 18% tolerance, good for high-ABV or stuck fermentations. Red Star Premier Blanc (15% tolerance) produces clean, fruit-forward wines.
Primary fermentation takes 5–7 days with active bubbling. Secondary fermentation in a carboy with airlock takes 4–6 weeks as activity slows. Most fruit wines benefit from 2–6 months of aging before bottling. Total time from crushing fruit to drinkable wine is typically 3–6 months, though some improve with a year of aging.
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Last Updated: Mar 19, 2026
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