How to age wine stardew

What is Wine in Stardew Valley?

Wine is a artisan good in Stardew Valley that is created by processing fruit in a Keg. It is a valuable commodity that can be sold for profit or consumed for energy and buffs. The quality of the fruit used to make the wine directly impacts the base value of the wine, but the true profit potential comes from aging.

How to Make Wine

To make wine, you first need to acquire a Keg. Kegs can be crafted at Farming Level 8 with 30 Wood, 1 Iron Bar, and 1 Oak Resin. Once you have a Keg, simply place any type of fruit into it. The fruit will process into wine over the course of about 7 in-game days. The type of fruit used determines the base value of the wine. For example, a Cranberry will produce Cranberry Wine, while a Starfruit will produce Starfruit Wine.

The Importance of Aging Wine

While wine can be sold immediately after it's made, its true value is unlocked through aging. Aging is done using a Cask, a piece of furniture that can be crafted at Farming Level 10 with 20 Hardwood and 10 Iron Bar. Casks are placed in your Cellar, which is an upgrade to your farmhouse available from Robin at the Carpenter's Shop for 10,000g and 500 Wood. The Cellar has a capacity of 12 Casks.

How to Age Wine in Casks

Once you have a Cellar and Casks, you can begin the aging process. Place your regular quality Wine into an empty Cask. The Cask will then begin to age the wine. The aging process takes time, and the quality of the wine will improve over these periods:

• Normal to Silver: Takes approximately 7 in-game days.
• Silver to Gold: Takes another approximately 7 in-game days (14 total).
• Gold to Iridium: Takes a significant additional 14 in-game days (28 total).

Therefore, it takes approximately 28 in-game days, or about 2 seasons, for a bottle of wine to reach Iridium quality. You can check the status of the aging wine by interacting with the Cask. The game will indicate if it's aging, ready for pickup, or if it has reached its final quality.

Benefits of Iridium Quality Wine

Iridium quality wine sells for significantly more than normal quality wine. For example, a normal quality Starfruit Wine might sell for 3,150g, while an Iridium quality Starfruit Wine can sell for up to 6,300g. Beyond the increased sell price, Iridium quality wine also provides a better buff when consumed. It offers a +5 to all skills and +10 energy compared to the +2 to all skills and +5 energy of normal quality wine.

Which Fruits Make the Best Wine?

While any fruit can be turned into wine, some fruits are more profitable than others, especially when aged to Iridium quality. The most profitable fruits for wine production are:

• Ancient Fruit: Widely considered the best crop for wine due to its high base value and consistent growth.
• Starfruit: Another highly profitable fruit, especially if grown in the Greenhouse or on Ginger Island.
• Cranberries: A popular choice for early to mid-game wine production due to their high yield and decent sell price.
• Melons: Offer a good balance of growth time and wine value.

It is important to note that Pale Ale and Mead cannot be aged in Casks. Only Wine can benefit from the Cask aging process.

Maximizing Wine Production

To maximize your profits from wine aging, consider the following:

• Invest in upgrading your farmhouse to include a Cellar as soon as possible.
• Craft as many Casks as you can to fill your Cellar.
• Prioritize growing high-value fruits like Ancient Fruit and Starfruit.
• Use the Greenhouse and Ginger Island for year-round fruit production.
• Be patient! The aging process takes time, but the rewards are substantial.

By following these steps, you can turn your farm's fruit into one of Stardew Valley's most lucrative products.