From vine to bottle — every decision you make shapes the wine in your glass.
Step 1
Step 1 — Foundation
The Vineyard
Where every great wine begins — in the soil and the sky
Soil & Geology
Clay, limestone, gravel — different soils drain water differently and change how grapes taste
Climate & Weather
Rainfall, heat, frost — each season plays out differently. A warm summer builds bold flavor; a spring frost can wipe out your crop
Vine Age
Older vines dig deeper and grow fewer grapes — but each one is packed with flavor. Young vines are lively; ancient ones are intense
Soil Composition
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Season Weather
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Vine Age
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Determines
Grape Potential
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Just like in Bordeaux, a warm year in Pomerol on iron-rich clay gives you a richer, fuller Merlot — while the same grape on Margaux's lighter gravel tastes completely different. The land changes everything.
Step 2
Step 2 — Timing
The Harvest
The winemaker's first great decision
Too Early
Early
Late
Too Late
Early Harvest
Crisp & Green
More acidity, lower alcohol, brighter aromatics. White grapes love early picking for that crisp zing
Optimal Window
Balance & Complexity
Sugar and acidity in perfect balance. Flavors fully developed. This is the sweet spot every winemaker chases
Late Harvest
Rich & Overripe
Super fruity, thick, higher alcohol. Risk losing freshness if you wait too long. Great for some dessert wines though
📅
At Château Pétrus, harvest decisions can come down to a single afternoon. Rain approaching? Pick now. Another warm week ahead? Wait. This single choice can make or break a vintage.
Step 3
Step 3 — Transformation
The Winery
Where grapes become wine — and your skill really matters
Basic Vat
Traditional oak vat. Limited temperature control. Character from tradition.
Full environmental control. Real-time monitoring. Unlocks the highest quality potential.
PRECISION
Fermentation Parameters — Your Hands on the Process
Temperature
Fruity vs. bold tannins
Skin Contact
Color & structure
Press Timing
Delicate vs. heavy
⚗️
At Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, they check the temperature every single hour. A few degrees difference changes whether your wine turns out smooth or heavy. In Grand Cru, you get those same controls.
Step 4
Step 4 — Maturation
The Barrel Room
The barrel you pick changes everything about the final taste
Stainless
Pure Fruit
No wood flavor at all. Keeps the grape's natural taste front and center. Best for whites and light reds.
FRESHNESS
American Oak
Vanilla & Coconut
Bold, sweet flavor. The wood soaks in fast. A classic pick for big, heavy wines.
FRESHNESS
Hungarian Oak
Spice & Structure
Finer grain than American. Adds spice and backbone without overwhelming. A solid middle ground.
FRESHNESS
French Oak
Toast & Silk
The premium option. Smoothest blend of wood and wine. Amazing for big reds. But it can overpower lighter grapes.
FRESHNESS
⏳
Aging makes wine better — up to a point. Leave it too long and the freshness fades. Even the best wine can go stale in the barrel. Knowing when to stop is key.
🪵
Top-tier wineries in Pauillac age in 100% new French oak for 18-24 months. But a light Pinot Noir would get crushed by that. Picking the right barrel for your grape is a huge part of the strategy.
Step 5
Step 5 — Evaluation
The Four Pillars
How every wine is judged — in-game and in real life
30% weight
Structure
"The backbone"
Tannin, acidity, alcohol — all in balance. Built by your grape choice, fermentation heat, and barrel time. The skeleton that lets a wine age well.
20% weight
Authenticity
"True to its roots"
Does this wine taste like where it came from? The right grape for the right soil and climate. Honest flavor, not faked.
25% weight
Finish
"The lasting impression"
How long do flavors linger after you swallow? Shaped by ripeness, aging time, and barrel choice. A great wine's taste sticks with you.
25% weight
Complexity
"Layers of flavor"
How many different flavors can you find in one sip? Fruit, spice, earthy notes — blending and aging stack more layers on top.
🎓
This is how real wine critics actually score wines — Wine Spectator, Robert Parker, all of them. The game uses the same four categories they do. Your scores mean something real.
Step 6
Step 6 — Optional Mastery
The Blend
Mix two grapes and get something neither could pull off alone
70%
Merlot
Plum & cherry fruit
Smooth, easy to drink
Ready to drink sooner
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blended with
30%
Cabernet Franc
Graphite & spice
Firm, grippy tannins
Aromatic lift
The Result? Something New
Merlot's smoothness rounds out Cabernet Franc's tannins. The Franc's aromatics lift Merlot's richness. Together, they're way better than either one alone.
Structure bonus
More flavor layers
Aroma boost
Longer aftertaste
🧪
Château Pétrus is nearly 100% Merlot. Cheval Blanc blends heavily with Cabernet Franc. Both are among the world's most expensive wines — proving there's no single right answer. Just as in Grand Cru, the blend ratio is yours to discover.
Final Step
Final Step — The Market
The Verdict
Critics and regular people want different things — you need to please both
The Critic
"Complexity above all"
Critics love wines that surprise them. High scores go to wines with strong backbone, lasting flavor, and tons of depth. They're tough to impress — but one great review can change everything.
Reputation bonus at high scores
Unlocks premium buyer access
Award ceremony eligibility
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The Public
"Enjoyable above all"
Regular people vote with their wallets. They want something tasty, easy to enjoy, and worth the price. A crowd-pleaser can outsell a fancy bottle ten to one. Public opinion drives your local sales and buzz.
Higher local market demand
Steady reliable revenue
Chef & restaurant appeal
The Score Spectrum
60–69
Ordinary
70–79
Good
80–89
Very Good
90–95
Exceptional
96–100
Legendary
⭐
In the real world, anything above 90 points is amazing — but a solid 78-point wine at a fair price can outsell a 94-point trophy bottle. Price vs. quality is a real strategy choice, just like in the game.