Wine Yeast & Yeast Nutrients

Wine yeast decides more about a wine than most people expect. The same fruit can finish clean and aromatic or stall out sulphury, depending on what you pitched and whether you fed it. Getting this part right is cheap insurance on a whole vintage.

Most of our range is Enartis. Vintage Red and Red Fruit are the ones people reach for with shiraz and cabernet fruit, while Enartis WS suits delicate reds and the Italian varieties. For whites, Aroma White is the usual pick, bringing out citrus and tropical fruit. Ferm 488 is aimed at bigger reds with spice and char, and EZ Ferm is the one for restarting a sluggish or stuck ferment. Lalvin EC 1118 is the tough, neutral one, useful for whites, reds, sparkling and cider, and when conditions are less than ideal. Nutrients matter just as much: Nutriferm Advance early in the ferment, Nutriferm Energy and Aroma Plus for aromatic whites, and No Stop when a ferment is dragging its feet. Straight diammonium phosphate is the simple, inexpensive option, and the Enartis four pack fermentation starter kit puts yeast and nutrient together in one box.

Worth knowing: rehydrate dry yeast in water close to the temperature of your must, not hot from the kettle. A big temperature drop when you pitch shocks the yeast and you lose half of it before it has started. Here is how to rehydrate wine yeast.

Starting out? Our Red and White Wine Making Starter Kits include the yeast and gear for a first batch. Come and talk it through at Laverton North or Epping, or browse wine making, malolactic bacteria and nutrients and acids, enzymes and additives.

Enartis

From $21.50 AUD

In stock
Enartis

From $9.50 AUD

In stock
The Artisans Bottega
From $4.50 AUD
Up to -21%
In stock
Enartis

From $9.50 AUD

In stock
Lallemand Yeast

From $4.70 AUD

Low in stock
Enartis

From $5.00 AUD

In stock
Enartis

From $7.90 AUD

In stock
Enartis
From $15.00 AUD
Up to -8%
In stock
Enartis
From $6.20 AUD
Up to -13%
In stock
Enartis

From $6.50 AUD

In stock
Enartis

From $7.90 AUD

Out of stock
Enartis

From $5.50 AUD

In stock
Enartis

$12.50 AUD

Out of stock
Enartis

From $7.90 AUD

Out of stock
Enartis

From $6.50 AUD

Out of stock
Enartis

From $8.00 AUD

Out of stock
Lalvin Rhone 2226 Yeast - Alcohol Tolerant 17%
Lallemand Yeast

$25.90 AUD

Low in stock
Enartis

From $5.50 AUD

Out of stock

Frequently asked questions

How much wine yeast do I need?

Most of our wine yeasts are dosed at about 20 to 40 g per 100 L of juice or must, which is roughly 4 to 8 g for a 20 L demijohn. Check the rate on the pack for your strain.

Which wine yeast should I use for red or white?

For reds, Enartis Vintage Red and Red Fruit are our usual picks, with Enartis WS for delicate reds and Italian varieties. For whites, Enartis Aroma White brings out citrus and tropical fruit in varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. Lalvin EC-1118 is neutral and suits both, as well as sparkling wine and cider.

My ferment has slowed or stopped. What can I do?

First confirm it has stalled: take hydrometer readings two days apart. Enartis EZ Ferm is made for restarting sluggish and stuck ferments, and Nutriferm No Stop helps a ferment that is dragging. Check the temperature too, and keep it in the range on the yeast pack.

Do I need to rehydrate wine yeast?

It gives the yeast the best start. Rehydrate it in warm water as the pack directs, then bring it close to the temperature of the must before you pitch, so it is not shocked. Here is how to rehydrate wine yeast.