Our Laboratory
In addition to conducting research, the Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute offers a fee-for-service laboratory that allows winemakers to gain deeper insight into their wines. Fee-for-service offerings include both sensory evaluation and chemical testing. The results provided arm winemakers with information about their wines, including grape ripeness, basic winemaking specifications, and wine quality.
Laboratory Services
Learn more about our pricing information, including wine analysis packages.
We also accept samples of beer, cider, spirits, and kombucha. Please browse our offerings or contact us with questions.
Who do I contact with general questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up an online account?
Click the “Sign Button” button.
- Click on the “Register” button under the Sign in with non-ISU Email.
- Fill out your first and last name, email address, and password, then click the “Register” button. *NOTE* don’t forget to check the updates from MGWII Lab regarding operations. This is so you will get email updates on lab closures, price updates, and more important information.
- You will receive a confirmation email. Click the link in the email to continue.
- Use your email address and your new password to login to the system
- Enter your name, phone number, and position. Click Save.
- If you have not yet registered your winery, click “Register New Winery”
- Fill out your winery information. Click Save.
- In your winery account information, please be sure to include an email contact for the person who is responsible for receiving analysis results and the person responsible for receiving and paying invoices.
How do I use the online sample submission site?
To navigate the site, first select the Laboratory Analysis portal, then use the links in the left-hand column.
To submit samples to the Analytical Laboratory, click the “Submit Sample” button on the homepage or navigate to the “Dashboard” next to “HOME” within the menu. In the Dashboard go to the “Orders” tab.
- To add a new request, click “Add Beverage”
- Fill out the Sample Name and Beverage Type, Beverage class, and Beverage subtype. You can optionally add the vintage year.
- Click the check box next to each test you would like to have performed on this sample. Click Save Beverage when you have selected all the tests you want.
- If you have more than one sample to submit at once, click “Save and Add Another” to add the next sample.
- After entering the request for each sample, click the “Submit Order” button. Read the submit order page and review your order.
- When you have finished reviewing your order, take note of the order ID. click on the manifest for your order, which can be accessed on the “found here” link.
- Review and print the manifest. Please place the manifest inside your shipping container and your labeled samples.
- Input your expected ship date to when you expect to ship the samples to us. Check the box confirming “I have printed and will include the manifest in the shipped package.”
- Click the “Submit Order” button.
- After your request is submitted, your order ID will show up under “Order History” on the Orders Tab. If you forgot your order ID number, you can also find your order by the date submitted.
What if I don’t want to submit a sample online?
If you prefer to submit a sample with a paper form you can download our service lab PDF form here. Please attach a completed copy of this form with you when you are dropping off or shipping your sample(s). One our of staff members will input your completed form into our online portal system. This is where you will receive your sample analysis report and invoice.
What if I don’t see the analysis I want listed?
If you have a test in mind that you would like to have us run, please contact us. There are some methods that are not listed here due to their highly specialized nature or the fact that they are requested infrequently. We are also regularly evolving and expanding our capabilities, so new challenges are welcome. We will be happy to work with you to find an analysis plan that meets your needs. Please contact us at wine@iastate.edu
What if I don’t know what analysis I need?
Contact us! We are here to help you solve problems, answer questions, and investigate the composition and properties of your wine. Tell us what you want to know, and we will work with you to figure it out. We will recommend specific tests that we can run, and explain what information the results can give you. Please contact us at wine@iastate.edu
What sample size should I send?
- Depending on the tests you request, we may require anywhere from about 20ml up to one or two 750ml bottles. Please refer to the volumes indicated on the submission request or price list forms.
- Generally speaking, it is safer to send a larger volume than required. On the rare chance that we need to re-run a sample, your results will be delayed if we need to have you send us more.
- Whatever volume of sample you send, please limit the amount of headspace (air) in the bottle. Under-filling the sample container can result in changes to the wine chemistry while it is in transit to us.
How should I package my wine sample?
- Be sure to label each sample with the ID you listed in your analysis request
- Bottles with tight-fitting caps are preferable.
- Please limit the amount of headspace (air) in the sample container.
- If there is any chance of the sample container coming open during transit, please seal tightly with tape and place in sealed plastic bag.
- If your sample is fermenting (or might start fermenting!) please:
- ship for same-day or next-day delivery with cold packs (with delivery Mon-Fri, as we cannot receive samples on weekends)
- For Malic Acid and Residual Sugar analyses should be shipped cold and same-day or next-day delivery if micro-organism are still present in the samples. This is to ensure the our results closes match to what it is in your tanks.
- For Total Soluble Solids Analyses should always be shipped cold and same-day or next-day delivery. We want to give you the most accurate results.
How should I ship my sample?
- Be sure to label each sample with the ID you listed in your analysis request
- Make sure the sample container is tightly sealed, using tape to prevent the closure from coming loose if necessary.
- Protect the sample with sufficient packaging material
- For grape, juice, and fermenting samples, please make sure to keep the sample cold and ship for same-day or next-day delivery (Monday-Friday delivery only).
- For Malic Acid and Residual Sugar analyses should be shipped cold and same-day or next-day delivery if micro-organism are still present in the samples. This is to ensure the our results closes match to what it is in your tanks.
- For Total Soluble Solids Analyses should always be shipped cold and same-day or next-day delivery. We want to give you the most accurate results.
- Ship to: ATT: DREW MAKOWSKI Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute, 536 Farmhouse Lane, Ames IA 50011
What is the turnaround time for getting results?
- Typically, we will have results will be processed in the order they were received. Please allow 2-3 business days for your results to be reported and generated.
- For uncommon, highly specialized, or in-depth analysis, the timeline may be extended.
- On occasions, our staff may be unavailable to run your analysis immediately due to conferences, workshops, out-of-town events, or University holidays. We try to keep our clients updated about these events through our websites and our Facebook page. Please follow us to stay informed.
- Submitting your request online helps alert us that we should expect a sample to arrive shortly, and if we know there is a conflict we will contact you to make other arrangements.
How will I receive my results?
- After the analysis is complete, a report is generated and you will receive an email alert with a PDF copy. Please be sure to include email information for the person responsible for receiving analysis results in your winery account information.
- To view the report, you can view the attached PDF or log into the portal, and you will see a “Reports” tab within the Dashboard. This tab will take you to a list of the sample orders you have submitted in a list from most recent to least recent, and from there, you may view the report for any sample order (including past sample orders). All reports generated before Feb. 1, 2024, will not have PDF documents; however, they can still be viewed by clicking on the order ID number.
How will I receive and pay my invoice?
- After an invoice is generated with an attached PDF and you will receive an email alert. Please be sure to include email information for the person responsible for receiving analysis results in your winery account information.
- After you log in to the Laboratory Analysis portal, you will see an “Invoices” tab within the Dashboard. This tab will take you to a list of the sample orders you have submitted in a list from most recent to least recent, and from there, you may view the invoice for any order (including past orders). All invoices generated before Feb. 1, 2024, will not have PDF documents; however, they can still be viewed by clicking on the order ID number.
Do you give any discounts?
We currently offer a discount to Iowa-licensed businesses.
What regions and industries does the MGWII laboratory serve?
- Any fermented beverage business in any state is welcome and encouraged to send us samples for analysis.
- Because we are here primarily to serve the Midwest, and Iowa in particular, we do offer discounts to in-state businesses.
- We are currently focused on the wine and beer industry, but have some limited capabilities to analyze other types of samples. However, as we expand, check our list of offerings frequently as they may have changed!