How to Set Up and Tap a Wine Keg

If you've read why wine on tap pays off and you're ready to pour, this is the hands-on part. Setting up an Island Grove draft system takes about fifteen minutes and no special training. Below is the full sequence, from mounting the tower to untapping a partial keg between events. Follow it in order the first time, and it becomes second nature by the second keg.

What you'll need

Everything here ships direct from our warehouse, or through your distributor. Before you start, have these on hand:

• A single- or double-faucet clamp-on draft tower

• A key keg coupler

• Food-grade neoprene washers

• Your gas line, or a hand pump kit

• A faucet wrench

• A tap handle (our custom Berry Sangria or Blueberry Moscato handle, or your own)

• The faucet plug with brush that ships with your tower

• Food-grade sanitizer and a clean cloth

You can see the full lineup and current pricing on our Draft Equipment page.

Step 1: Mount the draft tower

Find a flat, stable spot on the bar top or counter with clearance for the tower and room for a glass under the faucet. Set the tower in place, slide the clamp underneath, and tighten the clamp screw until the tower is firmly secured and doesn't shift. That's the entire install. The clamp-on design is why these towers go up on almost any surface without drilling or plumbing.

Step 2: Connect the coupler

Start with the nut at the end of your wine hose. Drop a food-grade neoprene washer into the nut and hold the hose upright so the washer stays seated. Thread the coupler onto the nut clockwise, which keeps the washer from slipping out, and tighten firmly by hand. If you reach for a wrench, snug it up but don't over-tighten.

Now attach your gas line or hand pump. Seat a neoprene washer inside the connector first, then join it to the coupler. Keep the orientation straight: the wine line connects at the top of the coupler, and the gas line or pump attaches at an angle from the side.

Step 3: Assemble the faucet and tap handle

Set the faucet onto the tower and, holding it upright, tighten the collar counterclockwise. Hand-tighten first, then finish it off with the faucet wrench. Still holding the faucet steady, seat the barb into its notch and tighten counterclockwise until it's snug. Thread your tap handle on clockwise to finish.

One detail that saves a mess: before you connect the coupler to the keg, make sure the tap handle is on but pushed to the back, closed position. That keeps wine from pouring out the moment you pressurize. When the tap isn't in use, drop in the faucet plug with brush to keep the spout clean.

Step 4: Tap a fresh keg

Pull the cap off the new key keg, give the valve a quick squirt of food-grade sanitizer, and wipe away any dust. Then tap it in three moves:

1. With the coupler handle fully raised, set the coupler onto the keg valve.

2. Spin it until it drops, then keep spinning until it chocks, or catches.

3. Squeeze the coupler handle and push down to lock it into place.

Once it's locked, pressurize the system. Turn on your gas line, or if you're running a hand pump, pump it up. The wine is ready to flow.

Step 5: Pour

Use the draft exactly like any ordinary tap. If you're running a hand pump for air pressure rather than a gas line, give it a few pumps before service so the flow stays strong through the rush.

Step 6: Untap a partial keg between events

Not every keg empties in one service, and a key keg holds quality for up to nine months once tapped, so there's no reason to waste what's left. To untap a partial keg, keep a clean cloth within reach and work through it carefully:

1. Release the pressure inside the keg by pulling the release valve.

2. Reach underneath the coupler handle, squeeze, and pull up to unlock it. Spin counterclockwise until it releases, then pull straight up.

3. Soak up the liquid sitting on top of the keg without pushing any back inside. Dab the top with your cloth, then dab the center and collect the rest.

4. Give the area a squirt of sanitizer, wipe it down, and store the keg for the next event.

Where to get your equipment

All of the gear above ships directly from our warehouse, and you can order direct from the winery or through your distributor. Explore the full wine draft program, reach out through our wholesale page to connect with your distributor, or request a rep demo if you'd like a walkthrough in person. Once you're set up, you're pouring in no time. Cheers.