Various jugs of fermenting homemade wine - Suphatthra China/Getty Images In theory, wine isn't a complicated drink: It's fermented grape juice, after all. But the idea of actually making your own wine ...

An estimated 500,000 hobbyists in North America are making wine with purchased grapes, juice, even berries. Some even grow their own. By Eric Asimov Reporting from Geyserville, Calif., and New York.

Hobbies that result in homemade goods are always worth pursuing, and perhaps none is as worthy as learning to brew beer, wine, mead or cider. Many companies offer complete brewing kits that come with ...