Can I add to inventory without creating a purchase order? I am a winery, I want to increase bottled wine inventory when I bottle what is in my barrels. How do I do that?

I appreciate your efforts reaching out to us here for help, jacquijax.

Creating a purchase order will not affect your inventory count since it's a non-posting transaction. 

Multiple units of measure in QuickBooks Online is unavailable. However, we can add the smallest unit (bottle) when we set up the bottle of wine inventory item in QBO. Let's say, for example, (400 bottles in 2 barrels.) 

Here's how to set up inventory item:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Under Lists, select Product and Services.
3. Click the New button and choose Inventory.
4. Enter the required field.
5. Add the quantity of the bottles of wine in the Initial quantity on hand field.
6. Select Save and close.

Also, to track inventory quantity on hand, we'll have to make sure this feature is turned on. Here's how:

1. Go to Settings and select Account and Settings.
2. Select the Sales tab.
3. In the Product and services section, put a checkmark in the Track inventory quantity on hand box.
4. Click Save then Done.

You can learn additional information about setting up Inventory in this article.

If you want to see your sales, the cost of goods, and more, you can refer to this article about using reports to see your sales and inventory status.

You can tag me directly if you have any other questions. Have a great weekend!

@jacquijax 

"How do I do that?"

You can't. QuickBooks Online inventory feature comes with no unit of measure type like on QuickBooks Desktop. QBO inventory module is to track buy and sell the same item, nothing more.

In addition to what @vpcontroller said

you do NOT just add a qty without cost as @GlinetteC suggests.  Those bottles cost money, you create the inventory item and purchase them to establish qty and cost on hand

And a purchase order is optional, it does not affect stock at all, it is a memo of what you have ordered