The wild grape Vitis vinifera, from which most wine grapes are derived, is the source of the seeds used to manufacture grape seed extract. Originally from the Mediterranean region, central Europe, and southwest Asia, this species was first used in winemaking and medicine around the Caspian Sea and then spread westward.

In order to create concentrated extract that is formed into a pill, capsule, or liquid, producers first press grape seeds to extract the oil. After that, they dry and grind the seeds.