Making wine begins with a plan. The process is the same whether making wine for the first time or adding a new wine to an existing portfolio. You first need to determine the style of wine you want to make.

Styles in traditional European winemaking are determined by region and wines are discussed within a regional context. It is common to discuss a Bordeaux style for instance, and when one thinks of Bordeaux red wine one thinks of cassis, red fruit, and oak, which is typical of Cabernet or Merlot based wine aged in oak for a couple of years. Northern Rhône red wine on the other hand brings to mind deep color and rich fruit which is typical of Syrah based wines.

New world, non-European winemaking has focused more on grape varietals and choosing the varietal goes along with style decisions in creating your plan. Several new world regions are becoming distinguished for their particular varietals and the flavors they produce though, so regional considerations are still taken into account. Napa Chardonnay and New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc are two examples.

Winemakers make many decisions during wine production. The following are decisions you should make before creating your wine:

1. What style of wine do you want to make, and which grape varietals are used in that style?

2. What is the regional site (or "terroir") that is conducive to growing your style and grape varietal?

3. Which vineyard should I choose?

4. When to pick the grapes?

5. Whether to sort the fruit?

6. Destem, crush, both, or neither?

7. Duration of skin contact?

8. Whether to chill (sometimes called a cold soak) the must?

9. Protective or oxidative juice handling?

10. What type of press to use?

11. When to press the grapes?

12. Do you want to keep the free run juice separate from the press wine?

13. What type of fermentation vessel?

14. Natural or cultured yeasts?

15. What (if any) additions to make?

16. What temperature range for fermentation?

17. For reds, how to manage the cap and how often?

18. What type of vessel (barrel, tank) to age in?

19. If it's a barrel, what type?

20. How long do you plan to age?

21. What contact do you want with the lees?

22. Do you want to encourage or block the malolactic fermentation?

23. May your wine require fining?

24. Do you want to filter?

25. Do you want to blend?

26. What type of bottle should you place your wine in?

27. What type of bottle closure should you use?

28. What about the label?

Once you have your plan, you are at the mercy of the weather to ripen the fruit. Then you can begin processing, fermenting, ageing and finally finish and bottle your wine.