Congratulations, You’re A Winery! Now What??
There are currently over 7,000 wineries in the US. I continually am in contact with folks at the beginning stage of starting a wine business, and many of those are as a “bonded winery”. Basically what that expression means is they are licensed as a winery, so a business that makes wine, grape to bottle. It’s a pretty exciting stage to become officially licensed, but then after that initial excitement wears off comes all the “what do I do now?” questions as far as compliance related to that new permit. Believe it or not everyone I interact with that is starting a winery is doing so because they’re excited about making and selling wine……….not because it means they’ll get to deal with compliance. Read more
Compliance Lessons Part 2: What Alternating Proprietors Need to Know
Last week's post was a milestone for my website. The post on custom crush compliance lessons has received (as of this writing) over 1,000 viewings! It was a definite rush for me to see this response but it also tells me (reminds me really) that there are a lot of behind the scenes compliance details that both custom crush clients AND wineries need to be aware of. A particular section of wineries for follow up focus is alternating proprietors. (APs) An AP is basically a "winery within a winery". There are distinct differences between an AP and a custom crush client at a winery. Wineries- Do you KNOW what those are? Read more
So You Want To Get Into The Wine Business?
The wine business has a romantic image to it. How much of this can be attributed to the processes of winemaking and grape growing and all the images they conjure up is debatable but regardless it continues to draw a steady crowd of newbies to it. The numbers of both wineries and wine wholesalers (custom crush clients) has continued to rise steadily in the US. I am regularly contacted through my website and through word of mouth by folks wanting to get started with their own winery or wine wholesaling business. They are often surprised when I sit down with them and show them all the licensing they will need. "Wow, I had no idea there was so much involved!" is a comment I often hear. So just what are you looking at to get in on the wine game? Read more