you can buy the vinegar crocks from sur la table...there are starters and directions on the web. You'll either form your own 'mother' , or you can get a starter from someone. I think home beer supply places have the stuff. Go online, there's lots of info out there. I was going to try to make my own white wine vinegar, and looked around my kitchen and decided I didn't want anymore stuff on the counter, no matter how lovely it was!