winery startup business plan

Winery Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Winery Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Winery business plan.

We have helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Wineries.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Winery business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Great Grape Winery is a new wine producer and tasting room located in the heart of Walla Walla, Washington’s wine country. The company is founded by Nicholas Perez, an experienced winemaker who has been making wine for nearly two decades, and his wife, Angela, an operations director with a Master’s degree in Business Administration. Together, Nicholas and Angela have the expertise and education needed to start their new company, Great Grape Winery. Nicholas is confident that his ability to effectively manage the winemaking process, combined with Angela’s top-notch management skills, will allow them to run a profitable winery. The couple plans on recruiting a team of highly qualified professionals to help manage the day-to-day complexities of running a winery – winemaking, sales, marketing, quality control, and financial reporting.

Great Grape Winery will offer locally produced, high-quality fine wine for the wine connoisseur and the novice alike. Great Grape will be a one-stop shop for wine enthusiasts to purchase everything they need for hosting their own gathering featuring Great Grape’s fine wines, from bread and cheese selected specifically to accompany certain types of wine to the wine glasses and accessories needed to create an elegant presentation. Great Grape Winery will be the ultimate choice in Walla Walla for its picturesque views and high-quality wines. The winery will offer wine tasting, winery tours, and a chic outdoor seating area to meet up with friends or relax with a glass of wine.

Product Offering

The following are the products that Great Grape Winery will provide:

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Cabernet Franc
• Wine glasses
• Wine glass charms
• Wine holders

Customer Focus

Great Grape Winery will target all individuals over the age of 21. The winery will target tourists and Walla Walla locals. Great Grape will also target a range of wine drinkers, from wine connoisseurs to novices. No matter the client, Great Grape Winery will deliver the best communication, service, and high-quality wine.

Management Team

Great Grape Winery will be owned and operated by Nicholas and Angela Perez. Nicholas will be in charge of the winemaking process and oversee all production staff. Angela Perez will be the Operations Director and manage the tasting room, sales staff, and customer relations.

Nicholas Perez is a graduate of the University of California with a Bachelor’s degree in Viticulture. He has been working at a winery in California for nearly two decades as a winemaker. Now, he wants to bring his winemaking expertise to the Walla Walla, Washington wine country.

Angela Perez is a seasoned operations director with over eight years of experience overseeing the operations for a small winery. Angela has a Master’s degree in Business Administration and is known for her keen attention to detail, organization, and efficiency.

Success Factors

Great Grape Winery will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Highly qualified team of winemakers, wine tasters, and experts on wine selection and pairing work side by side with friendly and knowledgeable sales and tasting room staff to ensure each customer receives personalized and attentive service and gets all of their questions answered.
• Great Grape sells its wine, food products, and wine accessories in-store and online, giving customers more flexibility in the way they can shop. The company will also have a monthly wine club subscription so customers never have to worry about running out of wine or missing out on new products.
• Great Grape Winery offers competitive pricing. The winery works with local suppliers and uses a cost-effective packaging process that allows the company to save money. This savings is then passed on to the customers.

Financial Highlights

Great Grape Winery is seeking $600,000 in debt financing to launch its winery. The funding will be dedicated towards securing and building out the facility and towards purchasing equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing expenses. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Facility build-out: $300,000
• Equipment, supplies, and materials: $120,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $150,000
• Marketing costs: $20,000
• Working capital: $10,000

Company Overview

Who is great grape winery.

Great Grape Winery is a newly established winery located in the heart of Walla Walla, Washington’s wine country. Great Grape will be the ultimate choice for its picturesque views and high-quality wines. The winery will offer locally produced, high-quality fine wine for the wine connoisseur and the novice alike. Great Grape will be a one-stop shop for wine enthusiasts. Customers can purchase everything they need to host their own gathering featuring Great Grape’s fine wines, from breads and cheeses that pair perfectly with the Great Grapes wine selection to elegant wine glasses and accessories. The winery will offer wine tasting, winery tours, and a chic outdoor seating area where customers can meet up with friends or relax with a glass of wine.

Great Grape Winery will employ a team of professionals who are highly qualified and experienced in winemaking, selection, and pairing. Great Grape Winery ensures that every customer that walks through the door receives exceptional customer service.

Great Grape Winery History

Great Grape is owned and operated by Nicholas and Angela Perez. Nicholas is an experienced winemaker who has a Viticulture degree from the University of California. Now, he wants to bring his winemaking expertise to Walla Walla’s wine country. Angela is a seasoned operations director with over eight years of experience overseeing the operations for a small winery. Together, they have begun to set up the business. Initial steps such as registering the business and securing all necessary permits and licenses have been completed.

Since incorporation, Great Grape Winery has achieved the following milestones:

• Registered Great Grape Winery, LLC to transact business in the state of Washington.
• Secured all required licenses and permits to open a winery in Walla Walla, Washington.
• Has a contract in place at the facility that will become the winery and tasting room.
• Reached out to numerous local vineyards to advise them on the upcoming winery in order to start getting supplier contracts.
• Began recruiting a staff of accountants, marketing and sales associates, winemakers, and tasting room personnel to work at Great Grape Winery.

Great Grape Winery Services

• Wine Tasting Services & Events

Industry Analysis

The global wine market was estimated to be $417.85B in 2020 and is forecasted to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4% between 2021 and 2028. The segment of wine that had the largest share of the market in 2020 was table wine, with 84% market share. This type of wine is quite popular due to being relatively inexpensive and easily accessible. While less popular than table wine, sparkling wine is expected to gain market share between 2021 and 2028 as more people around the world, and particularly in the U.S., favor spritz beverages.

In the United States, the millennial age group drinks the most wine. Approximately 24% of wine consumers in the country belong to this demographic. Moreover, 28% of younger millennials drink wine on a daily basis. Trends in the wine market that appeal to millennials include small batch wines, natural wines, sparkling wines, lower-alcohol wines, and sustainable or biodynamic wines. Industry operators can maintain a competitive advantage by offering unique flavors, affordable and accessible products, and catering to the millennial demographic.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

The precise demographics for Walla Walla, Washington are:

Customer Segmentation

Great Grape will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Millennial age group
• Gen Z who are over the age of 21
• Boomer age group
• Wine connoisseurs
• Walla Walla locals
• Walla Walla tourists
• Wine novices

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Great Grape Winery will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Valley Winery

Valley Winery makes fine wines from locally sourced grapes. Located in Walla Walla, Valley Winery is able to save on shipping costs by using local suppliers. The winery’s list of services includes wine tasting, winery tours, and private event hosting. Valley Winery makes a range of wines including white, reds, and dessert wines.

Valley Winery promises to deliver the highest quality products at reasonable prices. The winery follows a strict quality control process and only uses the best grapes for its wines. Valley Winery’s team of experienced winemaking professionals assures the wine is made with the best of care. Customers are guaranteed to love the company’s fine wines and if they don’t like a particular wine, the company will offer another type of wine at no additional cost or provide a refund.

Hilly Valley Winery

Hilly Valley Winery in Walla Walla, Washington provides outstanding wines for the pickiest wine connoisseurs. Hilly Valley Winery offers classic wines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. The owners of Hilly Valley Winery come from a family of winemaking professionals so they understand how fine wine should be produced. The winery also boasts a small cafe where customers can relax with some wine and cheese. On weekends, the winery hosts wine tasting events and tours of the production facility.

Winning Wine

Winning Wine is a trusted Walla Walla winery that provides superior wines, breads, and cheeses for wine enthusiasts in the area. Winning Wine uses organic grapes processed through sustainable methods to ensure a green operation. The winery hosts special events, tours, and winemaking classes. Customers can purchase wine accessories in addition to fine wine while in the tasting room. Winning Wine’s fine wines sell for premium prices due to the company’s use of hand-picked grapes and sustainable production methods.

Competitive Advantage

Great Grape Winery will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

• Great Grape Winery works with local suppliers and uses a cost-effective packaging process that allows the company to save money.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Great Grape Winery will offer the unique value proposition to its customers:

• Friendly and knowledgeable employees ensure each customer receives personalized and attentive service and gets all of their questions answered.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Great Grape Winery is as follows:

Word of Mouth/Referrals

Nicholas Perez has built a reputation over the years for producing exceptional wine. Many former customers have expressed great enthusiasm for the new winery and have expressed excitement over trying out the wine selection. Great Grape Winery will give customers discounts for referring their friends and families and spreading the word about the new establishment.

Professional Associations and Networking

Great Grape Winery will become a member of professional associations such as the American Society for Enology and Viticulture, the American Wine Society, and the Washington State Wine Commission. Nicholas and Angela will focus their networking efforts on expanding their customer and supplier networks.

Print Advertising

Great Grape Winery will invest in professionally designed print ads to display in programs or flyers at industry networking events, in Walla Walla tourism magazines, in wine trade publications, and in direct-mailers.

Website/SEO Marketing

Great Grape Winery will create and maintain an attractive, well-designed website. The website will be well organized, informative, and list all of the wines and other products currently available at Great Grape. The website will also include a regularly updated blog with interesting and educational articles about wine.

The company’s marketing director will manage Great Grape’s website presence with SEO marketing tactics so that when someone searches for “Walla Walla winery” or “winery near me”, Great Grape Winery will be listed at the top of the search results.

Social Media Marketing 

The company will maintain an active presence on various social media platforms including LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. The marketing director will post new content to these accounts multiple times throughout the week to keep the brand fresh in followers’ minds.

Email Marketing

Great Grape Winery will send email newsletters and promotional offers to customers who subscribe. The newsletter will provide informative content and the promotional offers will help drive traffic to the winery and the online shop.

The pricing of Great Grape Winery will be competitive so customers feel they receive value when purchasing wine from the company.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Great Grape Winery.

Operation Functions:

• Nicholas Perez will be the Co-owner and Lead Winemaker. He will oversee the winemaking process and winemaking personnel.
• Angela Perez – Co-owner and Operations Manager who will manage the day-to-day operations of the winery, tasting room, sales staff, and customer relations.
• Justin Lee – Bookkeeper/Accountant who will provide all budgeting, accounting, tax payments, and monthly financial reporting for the company.
• Brenda Moore – Marketing Director who will implement the marketing plan for Great Grape.
• Larry White – Inspection and Maintenance Director who will provide all maintenance on the equipment and internal quality control inspections for the winery.

Milestones:

Great Grape Winery will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.

10/1/2022 – Finalize contract to lease the facility.

10/15/2022 – Finalize personnel employment contracts for the Great Grape Winery team.

11/1/2022 – Finalize contracts with grape suppliers and begin the winemaking process.

1/15/2023 – Begin networking at industry events and implement the marketing campaign.

2/1/2023 – Great Grape Winery opens for business.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Great Grape Winery are the winery fees charged to customers in exchange for wine products. The company’s price range for its fine wines is $15-$50 per bottle.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff a winery and the grapes that will be made into wine. The expenses will be the payroll cost, rent, utilities, winemaking supplies, and marketing materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

• Number of cases of wine produced per year: 6,000
• Average fees per month: $60,000
• Facility lease per year: $200,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, winery business plan faqs, what is a winery business plan.

A winery business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your winery business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your winery business plan using our Winery Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Winery Businesses?

There are a number of different kinds of winery business , some examples include: Estate Winery, Farmstead Winery, and Custom Crush Winery.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Winery Business Plan?

Winery businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Winery Business?

Starting a winery business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Winery Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed vineyard   business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.  

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your winery business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your winery business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Winery Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your winery business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your winery business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 

7. Acquire Necessary Winery Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your winery business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your winery business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful winery business and starting a winery business plan :

• How to Start a Winery Business

Other Helpful Templates

Brewery Business Plan Template Wine Bar Business Plan Template

Upmetrics AI Assistant: Simplifying Business Planning through AI-Powered Insights. Learn How

Entrepreneurs & Small Business

Accelerators & Incubators

Business Consultants & Advisors

Educators & Business Schools

Students & Scholars

AI Business Plan Generator

Financial Forecasting

AI Assistance

Ai Pitch Deck Generator

Strategic Planning

See How Upmetrics Works  →

• Sample Plans
• WHY UPMETRICS?

Customer Success Stories

Business Plan Course

Small Business Tools

Strategic Planning Templates

E-books, Guides & More

• Sample Business Plans
• Food, Beverage & Restaurant

Winery Business Plan

A lot of people like fine and customized wines, but not everyone has the talent to whip up wines that’ll suit the tastes and preferences of different people.

Moreover, with people valuing experiences more than products, the popularity of wine-tasting and making sessions is growing every day.

If you are planning to start a new winery business, the first thing you will need is a business plan. Use our sample winery business plan created using Upmetrics business plan software to start writing your business plan in no time.

Before you start writing your business plan for your new winery business, spend as much time as you can reading through some examples of manufacturing-related business plans.

Industry Overview

The wine industry stood at a market value of 417.85 billion US dollars in 2020 and is expected to grow at a rapid rate going forward.

Also, according to Glassdoor , the average winemaker salary across the nation stands at $84,015 per year, being $43,000 on the lower end and $132,000 on the higher end.

The rising consumption of wine across the globe is one of the major reasons for market growth.

Alongside the growth of wine consumption across different cultures, the way people shop for wines has grown too. Most people prefer to buy wines from retail stores and online.

Also, with increased changes in people’s lifestyles, everyone prefers beverages with lesser or no alcohol content. This has led to an increase in the popularity of wines.

Say goodbye to boring templates

Build your business plan faster and easier with AI

Plans starting from $7/month

Things to Consider Before Starting a Winery Business

Decide upon your distribution method.

Although you can always make the switch, it is advisable to study and pick the most profitable distribution channel for your winery business.

A winery has several distribution channels like stores, eCommerce sites, restaurants, hotels, etc., with stores and online sites being the most popular ones nowadays.

Hence, you should conduct a thorough analysis of various factors and pick the channel that fits the best for your business.

Pick a favorable location

A good location is important for a winery business. Not only should the weather and atmosphere be favorable for your winery, but it should be accessible as well.

It helps you make your business more cost-effective in terms of transport costs and also more reachable for your distributors.

Have a list of equipment and machines you’ll need

From farming equipment to tools and machines for extracting and storing wine, a winery needs a bunch of equipment.

Hence, figuring out the functioning of all the systems and tanks before you start is essential for smooth procedures and working of your winery.

Decide on a brand name and message

Though the brand building is an ongoing process, picking a memorable name and brand message is essential. It gives your customer base to remember you something by.

Also, a message that you follow through with can become a strong mark of effort and quality.

Write Your Business Plan

If you can make unique and innovative wines know how to juggle proportions and blend to suit the tastes of different people or would like to have a scenic vineyard that can also become a source of income for you, then a winery business might help you have a fulfilling and profitable profession.

Reading sample business plans will give you a good idea of what you’re aiming for. It will also show you the different sections that different entrepreneurs include and the language they use to write about themselves and their business plans.

We have created this sample Winery Business Plan for you to get a good idea about what a perfect winery business plan should look like and what details you will need to include in your stunning business plan.

Winery Business Plan Outline

This is the standard winery business plan outline, which will cover all important sections that you should include in your business plan.

• Mission Statement
• Vision Statement
• Customer Focus
• 3 Year profit forecast
• Business Structure
• Startup cost
• Products and Services
• Industry Analysis
• Market Trends
• Target Market
• SWOT Analysis
• Sales Forecast
• Direct Mail
• Public Relations
• Advertising
• Ongoing Customer Communications
• Pre-Opening Events
• Pricing Strategy
• Service Functions
• Administrative Functions
• Important Assumptions
• Brake-even Analysis
• Profit Yearly
• Gross Margin Yearly
• Projected Cash Flow
• Projected Balance Sheet
• Business Ratios

After  getting started with upmetrics , you can copy this sample winery business plan template into your business plan and modify the required information and download your winery business plan pdf or doc file.

It’s the fastest and easiest way to start writing your business plan.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

Download a sample winery business plan

Need help writing your business plan from scratch? Here you go;  download our free winery business plan pdf  to start.

It’s a modern business plan template specifically designed for your winery business. Use the example business plan as a guide for writing your own.

Related Posts

Wine Bar Business Plan

Food Processing Business Plan

Wine Shop Business Plan

Restaurant Business Plan

400+ Business Plan Example

Business Plan Writing Steps

About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

Plan your business in the shortest time possible

No Risk – Cancel at Any Time – 15 Day Money Back Guarantee

Popular Templates

Create a great Business Plan with great price.

• 400+ Business plan templates & examples
• AI Assistance & step by step guidance
• 4.8 Star rating on Trustpilot

Streamline your business planning process with Upmetrics .

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

How to Start a Winery: 5 Steps to Starting a Wine Business

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

To take on the challenge of how to start a winery, you need to be determined, fearless and passionate about your craft — although owning a vineyard seems romantic, starting a business in any industry is work, and the wine business is a tough one.

Just take a look at the success story behind Russell Bevan of Bevan Cellars . Bevan bought his first 10 acres in Napa Valley’s Sonoma County in 2004, but it wasn’t until 2013 that he got his first 100-point Robert Parker score for his 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon. Shortly thereafter, his mailing list jumped from 500 subscribers to 3,000 in two days — and he saw a positive turnaround in the business’s bank account for the first time since he started his wine business.

Between 2004 and 2013, the vintner lifestyle didn’t always taste so good. There was a time when Bevan’s family stopped returning his phone calls, because they knew there was a chance he was calling to borrow more money. “I cashed in my 401(k) and I had a quarter of a million dollars in credit card debt at one point,” he says.

Those undeterred by the challenges of owning a vineyard need more than determination alone to get their ventures up and running — they’ll need some numbers, too.

How to start a winery: 5 steps to success

Starting your winery is going to take you quite a bit of time, but if you follow these steps you'll be off to a good start.

1. Come up with a name and choose a business entity

Before you get in too deep with creating your wine business or winery, you need a name and a business entity in mind. You should make sure that the name you want for your winery is available and that some other winery out there hasn't already snagged it. This will be hugely important when it comes to actually selling your wine too because a name can go a long way with branding to make your wine stand out and be memorable.

You can check to make sure that the business name you want is available and you can probably reserve it online. Simply check with the secretary of state's office in your state. Keep in mind you also want the domain name for the name you choose to be available so you can create a website and other online marketing tools, like an Instagram account.

You'll also need to choose a business entity for your new wine business. There are plenty of entities to choose from, but you might want to go with a limited liability company, as it offers you certain protections an individual might not receive, while allowing for you to be taxed either as a sole proprietor or corporation.

2. Write a business plan

When writing your business plan you should include extensive research about the industry and competition. Be sure to include a summary of the business to start, and then a company overview, market analysis, specifics on the product you plan to offer, financial projections and more.

You can either use a business plan template or come up with your own. Either way, it should be comprehensive and include quite a bit of research. It's also not a static document — it should be updated as your company grows and your goals change. Try and think of it from a potential investor's perspective: What information would you want to be included if you were looking into investing in a company?

3. Navigate licensing, permits and taxes

The winemaking industry is heavily regulated, so licensing and permits can get complicated — so complicated, in fact, that there are wine-compliance companies that do nothing else but help winemakers navigate local and federal wine regulations .

You’ll need to first apply for and acquire a permit to legally operate your winery, but the regulations don’t stop there. You’ll also need to register your business with the FDA , comply with local and state laws and even have your wine labels approved by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

And if you’re selling across state borders, it gets even stickier, as some states have their own laws about direct shipment. Once you’ve crossed the licensing and permit logistics off your list, you’ll need to stay on top of your state’s excise and sales taxes on wine, too.

If you're uncomfortable with keeping all of this in order, we suggest you consult a lawyer with experience and expertise in the winery field.

How much do you need?

with Fundera by NerdWallet

We’ll start with a brief questionnaire to better understand the unique needs of your business.

Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you on the process moving forward.

4. Create a budget

Once you have your business plan and you know what licenses and permits you need — and how much they'll likely cost — you can create your business budget with all of those costs in mind. Being “all in” often comes with a hefty price tag. William Foley, the founder of Foley Wine Group, says it didn’t take long before he ended up spending $15 million after purchasing 460-acres in California’s Santa Barbara County nearly 20 years ago.

Since then, the vineyard prices have only gone up, especially in regions like Napa Valley where land is scarce. Vineyards in Northern California can cost $11,000 to $30,000 per acre , but in the next 30 years, the price tag is predicted to reach $1 million per acre .

Of course, you don’t need to be in California to start a winery. In fact, there are wineries in all 50 states — and land prices are certainly lower beyond the Golden State. If you have the space and the land quality for it, you can even start a (very small) winery in your own backyard, which cuts real estate costs entirely. In that case, installing your vineyard can cost between $35,000 and $45,000 per acre.

After purchasing or developing your plot of land, you also have to think about the annual establishment costs needed to keep those vines alive, which adds around $15,000 to $20,000 per acre in the first three years.

Again, keep in mind that you still don’t have any grapes yet at this point to make your wine. Next, vineyard owners have to invest in machinery and equipment, which doesn’t come cheap. Lastly, most vineyard owners want to build a production facility and tasting room, since 90% of revenue will come through your tasting room.

With all these costs, we recommend opening a business checking account to keep your business finances separate from your personal finances.

Wine business startup costs to consider

In your first year alone, you’ll need to invest some serious capital into your wine business. In this industry, in particular, investing in expensive fixed assets — think land, machinery and equipment—is non-negotiable.

While your expenses will be ongoing, the vast majority of your investment will go toward establishing your vineyard’s infrastructure and operations during your first two years of business. Jerry White of Cornell University lists the following as expenses to consider within your first two years of starting a wine business alone:

Equipment, including refrigeration, cellar equipment, winery buildings, trucks and receiving equipment.

Fermentation and storage.

Bottling line.

Tasting room.

Other startup costs to consider include payroll for your staff, shipping, marketing and business insurance . In all, White estimates that your first five years require a capital investment of over $1.5 million.

Start Your Dream Business

5. Get funding for your wine business

Most aspiring vintners, especially those just learning how to start a winery, can’t cough up $1.5 million all on their own, so they’ll need to turn to some form of outside financing.

Like any startup, the newest vineyards may have trouble securing debt-based small-business loans , so initial funding will likely come largely through a combination of equity financing, friends and family loans and bootstrapping .

Also know that, regardless of which type of loan you apply for, you'll have the best chances of approval with a high personal credit score, profitability, time in business and strong cash flow, so the best time to apply for a loan will most likely be after your busy season.

Securing a bank loan might be tough for vineyards since the wine business is inherently risky (as is any industry subject to the potentially destructive whims of nature). And if they do approve of a vintner’s loan application, banks might require a large down payment — potentially up to 50% of the loan amount — to protect their interests.

If you’re determined to secure a loan from a bank, you might have the best luck at your community bank or credit union, rather than a large, national branch. Even still, be prepared to provide a hefty down payment, and pay a higher interest rate than usual. You can also expect an appraisal of your vineyard.

And because of the industry risk, potential lenders will be militant about ensuring the borrower herself is financially secure enough to repay her loan, even if her wine business fails. So, alongside the business’s financials and projected income, lenders will closely evaluate the borrower’s personal salary and credit score.

According to the Wall Street Journal, due to the increasing popularity of individually owned wineries, some banks have actually established loan programs geared specifically toward vineyards.

Live Oak Bank , for instance, offers financing solutions for wineries and other alcohol manufacturers; funds from these loans can be used toward purchasing equipment, construction, expansion, working capital and more. Exchange Bank also disburses vineyard, winery and agricultural loans; its financing products include business lines of credit for purchasing inventory, equipment loans, real estate loans, and leasing.

Equipment loan

Your major upfront costs are equipment, so looking into an equipment loan is kind of a no-brainer for winemakers. If approved, your lender will front you up to 100% of the cost of your equipment, which you’ll repay, plus interest, over time.

Startups might have an easier time qualifying for equipment loans than other types of loans, too. Because the equipment itself acts as collateral, lenders care equally about the value of the equipment as they do your business’s financial track record.

Business line of credit

Like any other agricultural business, vineyards can expect to experience seasonal peaks and troughs. A business line of credit is ideal for buoying you through those dips, because you can tap into it whenever you need, and you only need to pay interest on the funds you use.

And if like most vineyards, you don’t grow all your own grapes, you can pull down from your line of credit to buy grape inventory to blend or add to what you do harvest.

Business credit card

Like any other small business owner, winemakers pay for a ton of their smaller expenses on business credit cards , and tend to carry a large balance when they’re first starting out. To mitigate your initial interest charges, choose a credit card with a long 0% intro APR period, which lets you carry a balance interest-free for the duration of that introductory period.

Alternative models to start a wine business

If you’re not keen on investing so much capital into a full-blown winery, you can still assume a hands-on role in the wine business. Just consider an alternative business model, instead.

One option is to become a “virtual winemaker,” like Cannonball Wine Company, which started in 2006 in Healdsburg, California. Rather than shelling out millions for a vineyard and processing facility, Cannonball co-founder Yoav Gilat decided to build a brand with much less.

For many years, Gilat worked in hospitality before joining the Israeli army. He then moved to the U.K. for law school, and eventually moved to the Bay Area with his wife to earn his MBA from Berkeley.

In California, he met his Cannonball co-founder, Dennis Hill, who has been in the winemaking business for 35 years and was a top winemaker at Blackstone Winery. His other co-founder, Greg Ahn, is also a veteran winemaker in Sonoma County. Their goal, according to Gilat, “was to create a really great wine under $20,” while having some fun in the process.

The three began Cannonball as a “virtual” company — they don’t own a winery, or a vineyard. They don’t even have a tasting room (although the company can set one up if you ask). Rather, Cannonball has existing family growers harvest their grapes, and then Cannonball’s winemakers make the wine in rented equipment.

“We have our own tanks and barrels, but we use a facility where we pay them per case for the wine that we make,” says Gilat. “We also pay them for storage. And if we crush the grapes and ferment them, then we pay for the equipment.”

Now, the company has four brands under its belt — Cannonball, Angels and Cowboys, High Dive and Astrolabe — and Cannonball alone is sold in 47 U.S. and 30 international markets.

Of course, even starting a virtual wine business requires financing; Gilat and his co-founders financed their venture with friends and family loans, as well as an SBA loan . But if you opt for an alternative business model, you likely won’t need to invest the millions that you would if you’d started your winery from scratch.

Tips for the future

Regardless of your wine business model, know that your business’s success ultimately depends upon catering to your customer — and keeping up with their changing tastes, spending habits and the industry at large. This is one of the keys to how to start a winery that's successful.

In particular, industry predictions presented in Silicon Valley Bank’s “ State of the Wine Industry 2018 ” report provides some valuable information for both newbie and expert vineyard owners.

First off, wineries will need to adapt their marketing and sales strategies to appeal to a shifting demographic. According to the report, the majority of today’s wine consumers are cost-conscious, prioritize experience and value (which, in this instance, can be defined as quality divided by price) over luxury for luxury’s sake, and frequently shop online.

Going forward, all vineyards — especially those that rely largely on tasting rooms to generate revenue — should seriously consider setting up an easily navigable online store and, when possible, pricing their wines in the $12-$25 range sweet spot, which is growing in demand.

Aspiring vintners should be aware of increasing prices in arable land — another reason to consider going the alternative-business-model route. And all domestic winemakers should shore up against the encroaching competition from good-value foreign imports, which are hitting record highs.

In continuation of a decade-long trend, small vineyards are finding it difficult to sell to restaurants. That may make the suggestion to set up an online store, and to improve the onsite tasting experience, even more urgent; this also provides an opportunity for vineyards to get creative in their marketing, and to hone their sales in on local restaurants.

On a similar note...

See how Cvent can solve your biggest event challenges. Watch a 30-minute demo.

How to Start a Winery: a 10-Step Guide

The first step to learning how to start a winery is determining what kind of winery you’d like to run. There are three primary stages of production involved in winery operations: growing grapes, producing wine, and selling wine. Some wineries focus on one to two pieces of the production process, while other venues oversee all three. Whether you’re growing, producing, and selling your product or learning how to start a winery that operates as an event venue, this step-by-step guide will take you through the process.

In this guide, we teach you how to start a winery that appeals to your target audience. From start to finish, we take you through the stages of starting a winery. We discuss the value of researching your market, preparing a business plan, writing an investment proposal, how to market your business, and so much more. Learn how to start a winery that fits your market, budget, and business goals.

How to start a winery that thrives

1. research the market..

Before opening a winery anywhere, complete comprehensive market research to determine whether or not the business decision would be financially responsible. If you want to open a successful event venue that appeals to consumers in the area, there should be a need for your winery in the market: a demand for your product. Research the climate, competition, and clientele in your market to get a clear picture of new business potential.

The climate

If you’re growing grapes, the climate, environment, and weather will impact your success. Typically, grapes prefer warmer climates, making Spain, Southern France, and California ideal growing locations. Do you live in an area where grapes will grow readily? Research the type of grapes required for the wine you will be producing, and identify the appropriate climate, terrain, and soil mix required to grow successfully.

The competition

Visit competing wineries nearby. Read visitor reviews and research their online presence. Get a feel for each winery, and take note of what they have to offer consumers by answering questions like:

• Where are they located? • What is their style? • What is their demographic? • What types of wines do they produce? • Which wineries serve food? • Which wineries grow grapes? • Which wineries operate a tasting room? • Which wineries host special events? Weddings?

Determine what wineries are operating nearby and what they have to offer. Determine what’s missing. Discuss where wine-lovers flock to and which establishments they avoid.

The customers

Are there large numbers of wine connoisseurs in the area? Is there a demand for more wine production? Ask community members what they love about the wineries in your area and what’s missing. Identify a need in the market, and define how your winery fills in the gaps.

2. Scout potential locations.

When scouting potential locations for your future business, focus on three primary objectives: identifying land for sale, surveying the soil, and assessing the quality of any venues or buildings on the property.

Find your land

If possible, find land that has a south-facing slope. Not only do grapes grow well on sloped terrain, but southern slopes also provide the vines with ample sunlight.

Survey the soil

Grapes prefer acidic, well-drained soil. They tend to thrive in rough terrain and benefit from growing in soil that does not offer abundant nutrients. Look for loose, well-drained, loamy soil offering a crumbly blend of clay, sand, silt, and rocks. If grape-producing soil is not a common natural occurrence in your area, you will need to prepare the soil yourself.

Assess the venue

Does an event venue or property already exist on the land, or will you need to build a winery? If there is an existing property, will it require renovations or expansion before opening? Did it operate as a winery in the past, or will you need to turn it into one? What is the property’s value? How much of an investment would you need to turn the property into a functioning winery?

In addition to finding a winery location that will be profitable in the market, the land you purchase will be significant, especially if you plan to operate a vineyard on the winery property. Producing a specific type of wine will require the ability to grow specific types of grapes on the property. If you do not have a specific type of wine in mind, or do not intend to grow grapes at the winery at all, the location and soil style will not be as important as the accessibility of the winery.

3. Develop your winery’s brand.

What is your demographic? Will you market to savvy millennials with digital tasting tools or appeal to corporate clients by offering affordable instant book meeting services ? Will your winery present natural energy with organic décor and natural elements, a rustic design, or an elevated farm-to-table style? Determine who your target audience is, what design style most appeals to them, and what services you will offer to capture their business.

Choose a color scheme, font, logo, and other visual design elements that will come together to create your brand image. Design an eye-popping logo. Use the logo on all of your winery marketing ideas , including merchandise, promotional materials, website, social media pages, venue listings, and video advertisements.

4. Assess your finances.

Starting a winery can be expensive, especially for entrepreneurs starting from scratch. Equipment costs alone can quickly grow, as new winery operators may need to purchase cellar equipment, refrigeration equipment, distribution trucks, or receiving equipment. Startups may need to secure enough financing to cover a wide variety of costs, including:

• Purchasing or building a venue • Purchasing acreage for growing • Preparing and maintaining acreage • Vines and gardening materials • Fermentation, storage, and bottling • Operating offices • Venue renovations • Permits, licensing fees, etc. • Opening a tasting room • Staff payroll • Business Insurance • Marketing and advertising

Determine how much of an investment you can comfortably put into the business and whether any partners will invest in the winery. If so, will you work with a single partner or multiple partners? Will the partners make business decisions and participate in day-to-day operations, or are they partners in finance only?

As a new business owner, you should avoid putting all your assets into startup costs. If the winery is not successful and all of your savings are on the line, losing the business could mean losing everything. Starting a new business is risky, and opening a winery is no different.

Have a tough and honest conversation with yourself. Are you ready to do this: personally, mentally, professionally, and financially? If you cannot answer yes to all of these questions, then it may be a better idea to learn more about how to start a winery before diving in headfirst.

5. Draft a business plan.

Write a business plan for your future winery. A business plan is a comprehensive outline detailing how your business will operate. The more comprehensive and researched your business plan is, the higher your chances of securing financing. Include the following details in your winery’s business plan:

• Executive summary: An “About Me” section for your business. What is the name of your winery? Is the name catchy and memorable? Does it capture your values? What is the mission statement? If you had a website for the winery, what would the “About” section say? • Detailed business description: Where is your business located? How large is the venue? Which stages of the wine business will the winery tackle: growing, production, service, or all three? Will you have an operational kitchen onsite? Will you host tastings, dinners, weddings, and other events onsite? • Product description: Describe the products your winery will be producing. Outline grape production, the types of wine you will make, forecasted production, merchandise sales, and any eCommerce or distribution potential. • Market research: Outline the results of your market analysis. Who are your primary competitors? How close are they? What services do they offer? What will you offer that your competitors don’t? Discuss the need in your market and how your winery business will fill that need. • Business structure: Will the winery operate as an LLC or an S-Corp? What is the management structure of the business? Will you run the business or hire onsite managers for day-to-day operations? What are your distribution plans? • Financial plan: Write a summary of your current financial situation and available capital. Will you be funding this venture alone or investing with partners? How much money are you putting in? How much is each partner? How much will you need after the initial round of investments? • Marketing plan: Create a plan for marketing your winery. What is your target demographic? Who is your target audience? How will you reach them? What will your online, social media, and business-to-business marketing campaigns look like? What venue marketing solutions will you utilize? • Investment proposal: If you need additional financing to start your winery, draft a proposal explaining why your business is a great investment opportunity. Include market research, forecasting reports, and other valuable financial reporting. • Business timeline: Outline major winery milestones, such as a prospective property purchase date, renovation completion date, staffing deadlines, soft opening (if applicable), and opening day. Do you plan on expanding the production process or opening additional venues? What are your five-year, 10-year, and 15-year business goals?

Meet with your partners, lawyers, and financial advisor to review your business plan to ensure it’s in tip-top shape for presenting to lenders.

Learn more about what 2023 has coming for wineries

6. Secure financing.

The wine business is, in many ways, dependent on the whims of nature. A bad growing season or natural disaster can severely damage the business. Even in the best weather conditions, competition in the wine industry is fierce. As a result, wineries are often viewed as a high-risk investment opportunity for lenders, but there are a variety of financing options vintners can look into, including:

Credit cards

Open a new credit card specifically for use in your business. Look for a credit card that offers a long 0% APR period for new customers. During the 0% APR period, your purchases will not accrue interest, allowing you to carry large balances interest-free as you make the purchases needed to jumpstart your business.

Credit lines

A line of business credit works very similarly to a credit card. Business owners can borrow up to a specified amount, repay the borrowed total, and continue drawing on the credit line. As borrowers repay the borrowed amount, they only pay interest on the amount borrowed. Given by a bank or lending institution, credit lines are more flexible than traditional bank loans, covering a wide range of short-term winery expenses, such as purchasing inventory or covering payroll.

A high-cost lending option for vintners, bank loans are a potential line of financial assistance but not the first choice for many new business owners, as banking institutions consider wine businesses high-risk. When large banks approve a winery owner’s loan application, they may require a steep down payment, potentially as high as 50% of the total loan amount . Smaller banks and community credit unions may be more willing to extend loans for new local businesses, but the total amount offered is typically lower and still comes with high-interest rates attached.

Equipment loans

A type of small-business loan, an equipment loan is used to cover the costs of equipment that small businesses require to open or operate. Equipment loans are common sources of aid for winery operators, as winemaking typically requires a significant amount of equipment. Vintners and other entrepreneurs who experience difficulty obtaining approval for traditional loans may have a better chance of getting an equipment loan, as the equipment functions as loan collateral.

Determine which financing options best fit your financial situation and business plan. Work with a financial advisor to prepare, execute, and manage the winery’s finances, ensuring that you stay on top of all lending obligations and payments.

7. Confirm alcohol laws and regulations.

Obtain local and state permits required to operate a business in your area, as well as any permits required to produce and sell alcohol. Each winemaker must follow various local, state, and federal wine regulations depending on where they operate. In addition, wineries must register their business with the FDA and submit wine labels to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau for approval.

Additional rules and regulations also apply to wineries that distribute products, ship products, or participate in eCommerce. Direct shipping regulations vary from state to state, so many wineries choose their distribution region strategically. Additionally, winery owners must monitor, apply, and track excise and sales taxes.

Find and hire a lawyer with expertise in winery operations and new businesses. Having a legal representative on your winery team can help ensure that you meet all legal requirements, that you’re operating within winery regulations, and that your business complies with local and federal policies.

8. Launch winery marketing campaigns.

After purchasing the winery, renovating, decorating, licensing, and purchasing equipment, it’s time to start marketing the venue. Get the word out about the winery and your products via social media marketing, online advertising, and local marketing campaigns.

• Create a Google Business Listing for your website to increase your ranking in local search results. • Create a website for the winery that features a photorealistic 3D tour of the property , allowing online visitors to take a remote tour of the venue. • Build a strong online presence for your brand through social media marketing and video advertising. • Create a catchy hashtag and include it in behind-the-scenes content, offering your audience a sneak peek. • List your venue on Cvent’s Supplier Network to market your event venue to active planners and connect with event professionals sourcing in your area. • Advertise the grand opening of your venue on local billboards or heavily trafficked highways leading into your region. • Distribute marketing materials to local businesses and community organizations to increase visibility. • Partner with social media influencers and experts that appeal to your target audience for cross-promotional opportunities. • Drive wedding business to your venue by advertising the winery to engaged couples and wedding planners.

All the marketing for your winery should prominently display the name of the business and promote your brand identity. Include your winery’s logo on wine bottles, online ads, social media posts, and more. Hire a professional photographer to capture high-quality images, and use the same font consistently across various marketing channels.

Bring in beautiful weddings to your winery

9. Hire and train winery staff.

Winery staffing needs can vary from venue to venue, depending on the size and structure of the business, as well as the services the winery offers. A large winery may require a viticulturist to choose the right grapes and oversee harvesting or an enologist to manage the wine fermentation and production process. Smaller wineries, on the other hand, may hire primarily for customer service, sales, or event staffing positions.

Will you oversee day-to-day operations and manage revenue, or will you need to hire management staff? Will you have a vineyard that requires maintenance, or are you primarily offering tasting room services?

Write detailed job listings for all of the open positions at your winery. Outline the expected schedule, duties, salary, and any benefits related to the position. Include information about the winery’s mission and values so applicants know what you care about most, helping you match up with employees who share the same values you do. Give the staff plenty of time to train, learn POS systems, and get to know the venue before the winery opens.

10. Open the winery.

Your design has come to life, and it’s time to open your winery. Decide if you want to host a soft open before the business opens all the way. Hosting a soft opening is a terrific way for new businesses to assess their technical processes, operating procedures, and service style; it’s an opportunity to work out all the kinks before a widely marketed grand opening. Invite community leaders, event planners, organizers, company activity directors, and wine fans from near and far to join in a festive celebration of your new winery!

Frequently asked questions about how to start a winery

1. How much does it cost to start a winery?

The size and scale of a winery will have a major impact on how much it costs to start the business. According to research and reporting by ProfitableVenture.com , setting up a medium-scale standard winery in the U.S. can require an investment of up to $750,000. The quoted cost covers licensing expenses, the cost of hiring a business consultant, purchasing land, obtaining insurance, gathering equipment, and other startup costs. Starting a winery in your backyard, however, is significantly less expensive, with installation costs ranging from $35,000-$45,000 per acre .

2. How much land do you need to start a winery?

At a minimum, vintners require five acres to start a small winery business that grows grapes, produces wine, and sells the wine directly to customers. Five acres will provide enough space to grow approximately 5,500 vines , producing around 55,000 bottles. Wholesale winery operations need at least ten acres, ideally more, to produce their product at scale.

3. What is a micro-winery?

A micro-winery is simply a winery without a vineyard. Instead of growing their grapes, micro-winery owners purchase their grapes from farmers . These small-scale wineries can operate on smaller parcels of land and use smaller equipment than those with vineyards.

Now you know how to start a winery!

With this step-by-step guide explaining how to start a winery, you have the information you need to start your own business. In addition to generating buzz for the winery before it opens, operating a successful winery will require regularly attracting new customers to your business.

Up next, we discuss seven winery event ideas you can use to boost business and attract new customers to your venue. Keep reading to explore different tasting styles, food-focused events, and so more much.

Kim Campbell

Kim is a full-time copy and content writer with many years of experience in the hospitality industry. She entered the hotel world in 2013 as a housekeeping team member and worked her way through various departments before being appointed to Director of Sales. Kim has championed numerous successful sales efforts, revenue strategies, and marketing campaigns — all of which landed her a spot on Hotel Management Magazine’s “Thirty Under 30” list.

Don’t be fooled though; she’s not all business! An avid forest forager, post-apocalyptic fiction fan, and free-sample-fiend, Kim prides herself on being well-rounded.

More Reading

How to market to corporate event planners, what is a hotel business plan, and why you need one, 12 ways to use hotel ai to improve your business.

Subscribe to our newsletter

How to Write a Winery Business Plan

July 9, 2023 by Gravity Wine House

A s consultants and custom crush winemakers, we work with seasoned and novice winemakers alike. When people think about making wine, they are sometimes ready to source grapes and start a wine label . However, making wine is only part of the process. The first thing we often tell aspiring vintners is that one must start with a business plan—because after all, making wine is a business. A common question relating to the business plan relates to winery finances. How do you build a budget? What numbers are important to consider? What data can give a readout of business performance? Mark Pisoni is a co-owner of Gravity Wine House and conducted investment analysis for his Master’s Degree while at Cornell University. We used that as a basis for assembling this blog post to give you some ideas for how to get started. The information was developed for wineries in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York, but can apply to anywhere. If you’re ready to jump in with budgeting, skip to the Financial Data section of drafting your Business Plan below. Otherwise, follow along as we outline important concepts to keep in mind in starting your own winery.

Starting a wine business is complex, with many moving parts.

Understand who you are

Understand who you are and, more importantly, who you want to be within the wine world. While this may sound trivial, a solid understanding of your own vision will make your position and purpose as a new winery clear to future collaborators and clients.

• What region are you in? Will your wine labels carry a particular AVA or sub-AVA classification?
• How does your sense of place influence your brand?
• What type of wine do you produce? Do you have aspirations of expanding your repertoire? These insights may influence your budgeting and marketing strategies as you set yourself up for success for years to come.
• Do you aspire to be a large or small winery based on your target production volume?
• Do you have a winemaker? If not, contact us for winemaking services.
• Is it important to have your own facility, or would a custom crush facility better meet your goals?
• What price point/tier are you targeting for your wine?

Define your goals

This is another idea that may sound simple but is vital before investing money, energy, and effort into a business model that may not align with your broader aspirations. In defining your goals, first, consider where you are now and what things you bring to the table. Are there things you already do and/or have that you want to integrate into your new business plan? These may include a wine label already in production, an ongoing contract with a particular grape grower, or a connection to a particular cooper who is integral in the production of your barrel-aged wines.

Be ambitious but realistic. This is the time for honesty with yourself and your business partners about what you hope to achieve in the coming months and years. It may be useful to set a timeline and think about your goals as dreams with deadlines. In defining your goals, it is helpful to revisit the questions posed above. What metrics are crucial to reach to become the winery you strive to be? Try setting many smaller goals with tangible measures of success to build the foundation for your larger plans.

Write your business plan

Here comes the step you’ve been waiting for! Now that you know who you want to be in the wine world and the actionable steps for getting there, it’s time to create a scaffold to bring your business to life. Your business plan should begin with a broad summary of your business and drill down to details such as how you will price your consumer goods. You may realize you have missing information; for example, have you conducted a market analysis to determine how many competitors in your area produce the same varietals or considered competitor strategies for pricing wine?

The U.S. Small Business Administration has compiled business planning resources that can be accessed here , including further detail about market research and competitive analysis, writing your business plan, calculating your startup costs, and establishing business credit. For those who are serious, we recommend this resource as a platform for further research. For now, we recommend you consider the following sections as you create your plan:

• Executive Summary: Who are you? Include your vision and mission statement here, along with a brief statement of your product or service and basic information about company leadership and location.
• Company Description: Go into detail about your company. What consumers do you plan to serve? What product or service will you provide? What competitive advantages will make you a success?
• Product and Service Description: What products and services do you plan to provide, and how are they different than what already exists in the market? This section may be combined with the one above depending on how much detail you need to provide.
• Market & Consumer Analysis: An understanding of your competitors is crucial to your success. Conduct market research, assess trends, and consider what others do well and what you can do better. See Table 3 below for an example of market analysis from the Finger Lakes region in 2001 (see Table 3):
• Operations: How will your company be structured? Describe the legal structure of your business.
• Personnel & Management: Who will run your company? Consider an organizational flowchart to demonstrate the role of all team members.
• Marketing, Sales, & Brand: Describe your plan to attract and retain a customer base. What are your sales strategies? Consider how marketing may play into sales.
• Financial Data: Budgeting and financial projections are a must. To create an effective budget that will communicate that your business can be a financial success, you must be comfortable with financial jargon and concepts that will help you trace your expenditures and be clear on how your money will be used. Here are some helpful definitions to get you started. See Table 4 for an example of annual operating costs for a model winery.

Below is a market analysis of the Finger Lakes Region from 2001. (Disclaimer: Retail bottle pricing is does not reflect current market conditions but can be used as a guide for datapoints to collect in relevant analysis of your consumer market space.)

Overhead Costs

The fixed expenses inherent to running your business that cannot be linked to your product or service. What are your overhead costs?

Variable costs

The expenses that change as a function of the quantity of service or product production. What are your variable costs?

Break-Even Analysis

A financial calculation that weighs the cost of a new product or service against a proposed sale price to determine where you will break even; total cost and total revenue are equal. Can you use break-even analysis to make informed decisions about services and products you plan to sell?

Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

A metric used to estimate the potential return of an investment. Think about this as a measure of profitability, reported as a percentage. Learn more here . Can you calculate the IRR of your projects?

Net Present Value (NPV)

The difference between cash inflow and outflow over a defined period of time. The NPV tells us how much money a project will gain or lose in today’s funds. Learn more here . What is the NPV of your project?

Keep in mind that the exact sections of your business plan may look different from this list. Perhaps you prefer a more succinct Organization section rather than separate Operations and Personnel & Management sections, or you want to add detail in additional subsections. Your business plan should work for you and clearly distill the comprehensive plan for your business and your needs.

Below is a breakdown of the average annual operating costs for Mark’s model winery referenced in Tables 1 and 2. The average operating costs were calculated under the annual equivalent cost method, with production at 1,850 cases in year one with an 850-bottle annual production increase to reach 9,250 cases in year five.

Perception is everything

Although “Marketing, Sales, & Brand” may already be included in your business plan, the perception of your business from the consumer perspective deserves additional attention. Take an extra moment to consider your brand. What brings your wine business to life for your clientele beyond the physical infrastructure you buy and the personnel you employ? What does your wine stand for? Out of countless bottles on the shelf, why should consumers choose you? Your winery will only be as successful as your customers are content with the product you provide. Pay particular attention to the front-facing aspects of your business; their ethos cannot be fully captured by your budgets or estimated expenditures, take time to maintain, and will be integral in your winery’s success.

The decision to invest time, energy, and capital into a new business is a big one. For those really interested in starting a winery, it takes many hours, careful planning, a strong sense of leadership, and wine industry-specific insight. Here, we provided models and posed questions to consider as you decide how and when to bring your business aspirations to fruition. If working with our custom crush facility can assist you in your business development, contact us for opportunities. Either way, seek out resources in addition to those mentioned above – new perspectives will shed further light on how to strengthen your business plan and ensure your success.

Mark Pisoni’s sample thesis: Writing-A-Small-Winery-Business-Plan

Related Posts

How to start a wine label.

March 13, 2019

Wine Production: Choosing a Wine Press

March 11, 2022

Sign up to follow our blog

We earn commissions if you shop through the links below.  Read more

Wine Business

Back to All Business Ideas

How to Start a Wine Business

Written by: Esther Strauss

Esther is a business strategist with over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur, executive, educator, and management advisor.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on August 9, 2021 Updated on March 13, 2024

Investment range

$561,000 - $2.3 million

Revenue potential

$360,000 - $4.8 million p.a.

Time to build

Profit potential

$90,000 - $1.7 million p.a.

Industry trend

Maybe you’ve always dreamt of taking a sip of your best pinot noir while overlooking the vineyard at dusk. Or maybe you just know there’s good money in alcohol! 

Either way, the $300 billion global wine industry is starting to emerge from the pandemic and expected to boom in the coming years, which means this could be the perfect time to start a wine business. 

Of course, it won’t be easy. You’ll need to know the risks involved and the key steps to take. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place, as this step-by-step guide lays out all the information you’ll need to start crushing grapes, bottling wine and riding the vino money train! 

Let’s begin your oenological journey.

Looking to register your business? A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple.

Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the Best LLC Services .

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Wine is bouncing back from the pandemic-driven downturn. But it won’t be easy to penetrate a market that relies on brand names, and you’ll need to be patient to recover your initial investment. But there’s real opportunity in wine right now, and it could be the right business for you. 

Let’s start by looking at the pros and cons.

Pros and cons

You’ll have many opportunities with a wine business, but you also need to understand the industry’s unique challenges before you dive in.

• Creativity — Build your own brand
• Good money — Wineries tend to have good profit margins
• High demand — The wine industry is huge and growing fast!
• Patience — Takes years for vines to bear grapes
• Regulations — Selling alcohol requires licenses and permits
• Competition — Must build brand in competitive market

Wine industry trends

China is the second-largest market for wine, and with strong growth is projected to overtake the US market by 2027, making it an attractive export destination.

Industry size and growth

• Industry size and past growth – The US is the world’s largest wine market, with revenue estimated at $58 billion.(( https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/alcoholic-drinks/wine/united-states ))  
• Growth forecast – The US wine industry is expected to expand an additional 7% annually through 2025, according to German research firm Statista, while market analyst Grandview Research believes this growth rate will persist until 2030.(( https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/us-wine-market ))
• Number of businesses – In 2020, there were more than 11,000 wineries in the US, after expanding 50% over the past decade.(( https://www.statista.com/statistics/259353/number-of-wineries-in-the-us/ )) There are also more than 44,000 beer, wine, and liquor stores across the US.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/beer-wine-liquor-stores-united-states/ ))
• Number of people employed – US wineries employ 49,000 people.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/employment/wineries-united-states/ ))

Trends and challenges

Trends shaping the wine industry include:

• Innovations in flavor, color, and packaging
• Mergers, acquisitions, and consolidation among wineries
• Shift in consumer preference to wine and other mild alcoholic beverages

Challenges in the wine industry include:

• Supply chain disruptions
• Labor shortage
• Environmental impact of wine production

Popular products

The most purchased type of wine in the US are:(( https://www.statista.com/statistics/466661/us-consumption-of-wine-by-category/ ))

• Table wine (90%)
• Champagne and sparkling (7%)
• Dessert and fortified (2%)
• Vermouth/aperitif (0.4%)
• Wine coolers (0.01%)

What kind of people work in wine?

• Gender – 82% of wine makers are male, while 18% are female.(( https://www.zippia.com/wine-maker-jobs/demographics/#gender-statistics ))
• Average level of education – 53% of wine makers hold a bachelor’s degree.(( https://www.zippia.com/wine-maker-jobs/demographics/#degree-level-types )) 
• Average age – The average age of a wine maker is 41 years old.(( https://www.zippia.com/wine-maker-jobs/demographics/#age-statistics ))

How much does it cost to start a wine business?

US wineries are classified based on their yearly volume in 9-liter cases (12 x 750ml bottles). The country has around 9,000 wineries (80%) producing less than 5,000 cases a year, which means they are classified as very small or limited production brands.

You’ll need a handful of items to successfully launch your wine business. Here’s a list to get you started:

• Vineyard equipment such as seed planting, watering and fertilising systems and pest control gear
• Harvesting equipment including tractors and trailers 
• Production equipment such as grape crushers, fermentation vats, and bottling systems 
• Temperature-controlled wine cellar for storage 
• CCTV system for facility monitoring and security
• Office furniture and computer equipment
• Lab and testing equipment for R&D
• Interior decor and fixtures for your tasting room

Setting up a wine business requires a sizable initial investment of around $500,000 to more than $2 million, depending on size and production capacity, according to a Washington State University study.

How much can you earn from a wine business?

Your estimated potential earnings from a wine business will vary depending on what kind of business you start. 

Assuming a conservative price of $15 per bottle, the sale price of a case would be $180. A winery spends $115 per case to produce 20,000 cases per year and up to $135 per case to produce only 2,000 cases in a year. This means a profit margin of 25% for an annual output of 2,000 cases and 36% if you produce 20,000 cases.

In your first year or two, you could sell 2,000 cases in a year, bringing in $360,000 in annual revenue. This would mean $90,000 in profit, assuming that 25% margin. As your brand gains recognition and you ramp up production, sales could climb to 20,000 cases a year and your profit margin improves to 36%. If you can sell wine for $20 per bottle, a case would fetch $240. With annual revenue of $4.8 million, you’d make a tidy profit of more than $1.7 million.

What barriers to entry are there?

There are high barriers to entry due to stringent regulations as well as the significant initial investment. The main hurdles are listed below:

• Regulatory compliance; licenses and permits 
• Registration with Food and Drug Authority (FDA)
• Label approval from Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
• Large investment due to high cost of land
• Limits on advertising alcohol

Related Business Ideas

How to Start a Brewery

How to Start a Distillery

How to Open a Liquor Store

Step 2: hone your idea.

Now that you’ve determined that this is the market for you, you need to think about the specifics. You’ll need to answer the why, what, and who of your wine business.

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an opportunity

The wine market is growing and projected to continue this trend. Wine is the third most popular alcoholic beverage in the US, behind beer and spirits. It carries a certain romantic notion and appeals to a broad array of market segments spanning various demographics.

It is thus an attractive space that, while crowded, offers opportunity to sharp new entrants. You may want to identify a niche and cater to it, rather than attempting to create a mainstream product with broad appeal that goes head-to-head with established players and their economies of scale. 

Start by identifying where you want to sell and to whom. Research popular wines and wineries in your area, examining their prices and what they do best. Look for an opportunity in your local market. 

What? Determine your products

You’ll need to decide which wines you plan to produce. Relying on one wine is a big risk, as if it is not well-received you’ll have to take a loss. Thus, you should create a product portfolio of three to four wines of different types and characteristics.

By building your own vineyard, your avenues for revenue would be broader. Besides selling directly to consumers, you might want to introduce services like wine tasting sessions, guarded tours of your vineyard to show the process of making wine, B&B stays for small groups, and a restaurant on-site.

You can also create a wine club, export your wine, and distribute to wine stores , restaurants, supermarkets, and retailers 

How much should you charge for wine?

If you start a wine trading business, you will sell wine for $15-$20 per bottle for direct-to-consumer and tasting room sales. 

Once you know your costs, you can use this Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

Identifying a target market can be done through market research in the area in which you plan to sell your wine, and consideration of your desired wine profile. You will ideally have three to four wines, and you may target them at different markets. Thus, if one product does not perform as expected, you can adjust your offerings without suffering a significant loss.

You should target consumers and also businesses, specifically the restaurants, bars and hotels frequented by your target market. You could also identify any exporters and wholesale distributors with whom you might work to expand the reach of your products.

Where? Choose your vineyard location

Here are the things to consider when choosing a vineyard location:

• Soil Composition : The soil’s makeup influences grape characteristics; ensure it’s conducive for the grape varieties you intend to plant.
• Climate : Different grape varieties thrive in specific climates; choose a location with conditions that match your desired varietals.
• Topography : Slopes and elevation can affect sun exposure, drainage, and temperature; select terrains that benefit vine health.
• Water Access : Adequate water supply is crucial for vineyards, but drainage is equally important to prevent root diseases.
• Sun Exposure : Grapes need ample sunlight for photosynthesis; ensure the site gets consistent and appropriate sun hours.
• Frost Risk : Some areas are prone to late spring or early autumn frosts which can damage vines; opt for locations with minimal frost threats.
• Proximity to Markets : Consider ease of access to markets or tourism hubs, as this can influence sales and brand visibility.
• Local Regulations : Research zoning laws, water rights, and agricultural regulations to avoid legal complications.
• Pest and Disease History : Some areas may have histories of specific vine pests or diseases; choosing a location with a clean record can reduce challenges.
• Long-term Vision Compatibility : Your vineyard’s location should align with your future goals, whether it’s expansion, sustainability, or specific wine styles.

Step 3: Brainstorm a Wine Company Name

Your business name is your business identity, so choose one that encapsulates your objectives, services, and mission in just a few words. You probably want a name that’s short and easy to remember, since much of your business, and your initial business in particular, will come from word-of-mouth referrals.

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
• The name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “wine” or “winery”, boosts SEO
• Choose a name that allows for expansion: “The Wine Merchant” or “The Wine Collective” over “The Merlot Corner”
• Avoid location-based names that might hinder future expansion
• Use online tools like the Step by Step business name generator . Just type in a few keywords and hit “generate” and you’ll have dozens of suggestions at your fingertips.

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Find a Domain

Powered by GoDaddy.com

Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Winery Business Plan

Every business needs a plan. This will function as a guidebook to take your startup through the launch process and maintain focus on your key goals. A business plan also enables potential partners and investors to better understand your company and its vision:

• Executive Summary: Summarize your winery’s vision to produce distinctive wines, offering wine tasting experiences, and engaging in direct sales and distribution.
• Business Overview: Describe your winery’s focus on crafting quality wines, managing vineyards, and operating a tasting room for visitors.
• Product and Services: Detail the types of wines produced, including reds, whites, and specialty wines, and services like wine tastings, tours, and event hosting.
• Market Analysis: Assess the demand for wine in your target market, identifying trends in consumer preferences and wine consumption patterns.
• Competitive Analysis: Compare your winery to others in the region, highlighting your unique selling points such as wine quality, vineyard location, or visitor experiences.
• Sales and Marketing: Outline your strategy for marketing and selling your wines, including direct-to-consumer sales, distribution to retailers, and online marketing efforts.
• Management Team: Highlight the expertise of your team, especially in viticulture, winemaking, and business management.
• Operations Plan: Describe the operational processes of your winery, from grape cultivation and wine production to bottling and distribution.
• Financial Plan: Provide an overview of financial aspects, including startup costs, pricing strategy, and expected revenue.
• Appendix: Include supplementary documents such as vineyard maps, wine awards, or detailed market research to support your business plan.

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you are planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to wineries. 

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your wine business will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

• Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have. 

Form Your LLC

Choose Your State

We recommend ZenBusiness as the Best LLC Service for 2024

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number , or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you are completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans : This is the most common method, but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans : The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
• Government grants : A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Venture capital : Offer potential investors an ownership stake in exchange for funds, keeping in mind that you would be sacrificing some control over your business.
• Friends and Family: Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding: Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal: Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best options, other than friends and family, for funding a wine business. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept.

Step 8: Apply for Winery Business Licenses and Permits

Starting a wine business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments, including FDA registration and a license to sell alcohol. 

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your wine business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account. 

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur, especially when you sell alcohol. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability: The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business Property: Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation: Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property: Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto: Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability: Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP): This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of any of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks.  

Wine and alcohol compliance software, such as Sovos Shipcompliant , will ensure your bottling, packaging and shipping do not run afoul of the authorities.

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , Freshbooks , and Xero . 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial.

Develop your website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using services like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

They are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google.

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

• Engage in Local Events: Participate in local festivals, farmers’ markets, and community events to showcase your wines, connect with potential customers, and build a strong local presence.
• Create Unique Tasting Experiences: Differentiate your business by offering unique and memorable wine-tasting experiences, such as themed tastings, food pairings, or exclusive vineyard tours, to attract and retain customers.
• Leverage Social Media Influencers: Collaborate with influencers in the food and beverage space to promote your wines on social media platforms, generating buzz and reaching a broader audience through authentic recommendations.
• Implement Loyalty Programs: Encourage repeat business by instituting loyalty programs that reward customers for their ongoing support, such as discounts, exclusive events, or early access to new releases.
• Educational Content: Create engaging and informative content about wine on your social media channels and blog, establishing your brand as an authority and educating consumers about different varieties, pairings, and the winemaking process.
• Strategic Partnerships: Forge partnerships with local restaurants, hotels, and event organizers to have your wines featured in their establishments, expanding your reach and gaining credibility through association with established brands.
• Limited Edition Releases: Generate excitement and a sense of exclusivity by periodically releasing limited edition or seasonal wines, encouraging customers to stay engaged and creating a sense of urgency to make a purchase.
• Email Marketing Campaigns: Build and nurture a strong email list by offering incentives for sign-ups, then utilize targeted email campaigns to communicate promotions, events, and exclusive offers directly to your audience.
• Sustainable Practices Promotion: Highlight your commitment to sustainability in winemaking and eco-friendly practices, as the growing interest in environmentally conscious products can attract a niche market segment.
• Customer Reviews and Testimonials: Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on online platforms and share their experiences, as positive word-of-mouth can significantly influence potential buyers and build trust in your brand.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that sets it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your wine meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your winery could be:

• Exclusive deals, events and access with our wine club
• Luxury wines at bargain prices 
• The full vineyard experience: tours, tasting, grape stomping and more 

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a wine business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in wineries for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in wines. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. Online businesses might also consider affiliate marketing as a way to build relationships with potential partners and boost business.

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a wine business would include:

• Master Winemaker
• Grounds Workers 
• General Manager
• Marketing Lead
• Sales Executive 

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. 

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run a Winery – Start Making Money!

Starting a smaller winery is less expensive while setting up a winery with a higher production capacity will be more cost-effective. Also, greater production will make you more appealing to distributors. 

One way to ensure a steady stream of revenue and inspire loyalty from customers is to create a wine club, which is a subscription-based service in which members pay a monthly fee and receive a certain number of bottles delivered to their door. Subscribers can also receive additional benefits and exclusives, such as guided tours of the vineyard, wine tastings, and chances to try new wines pre-release. 

You’re now ready to start making wine! 

• Wine Business FAQs

To start a wine factory, you shall take the following steps:

• Firstly, identify where you’d like to set it up, the scale, and whether you wish to grow grapes or buy them from a third-party.
• Understand the winemaking process. Study how other winemakers do it, seek advice from professionals and hire a Master Winemaker to oversee your process.
• Recruit a wine compliance agency to help with legal matters.
• Identify what attributes your wine should have, whom you target it to, and what kind of personality you want it to embody.

Wine businesses struggle in the early stage of development, and those who survive the crunch time will eventually become profitable. You need to understand that a wine business is not a get-rich-quick scheme.

It depends upon several factors. For example, the average grape yield per acre is between 6-9 tons per acre in California and 3-6 tons per acre in other states. A ton of grapes may be processed into around 63 cases of wine on average.

These numbers indicate that you should expect to produce anything between 180-570 cases per planted acre. But, aside from the location, there are some other factors that may impact your cases of wine per acre.

For example, wines are typically sold as 12 bottles of 750ml per case. You may decide to venture into other capacities such as 1L bottles or even large 5L decanters for parties (as some vintners tend to do when their wine is positioned for a social setting). This means that you will get a different case per acre figure.

It is not extremely difficult, but requires a lot of learning and significant financial investment. It is not ideal as a first-time business for some looking to start their own business unless they have other sources of income. The area where you can fall foul of the law is in the myriad of legal regulations, permits and compliance, so a wine compliance agency is your best avenue.

You can get people to like your wine if you work on the following areas:

• Asking yourself who is your target market? What are their attributes, tastes and preferences? What brands and varieties of wine do they already enjoy?
• Do you want your wine to project a particular persona? Is it a lively, youthful wine, or a mellow, relaxed one, for example?
• Create a few different preparations and offer them to sample groups of your target segment for their input. This is the best way to gauge potential  customer reaction before a wider rollout.
• Seek the advice of Master Winemakers and Wine Critics – they will know a lot more than you and will objectively critique your wine – just be prepared to take objective criticism and challen it productively.
• Do not base your feedback purely  on those from friends and family – as it can be subjective and biased.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Decide if the Business Is Right for You
• Hone Your Idea
• Brainstorm a Wine Company Name
• Create a Winery Business Plan
• Register Your Business
• Register for Taxes
• Fund your Business
• Apply for Winery Business Licenses and Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance
• Prepare to Launch
• Build Your Team
• Run a Winery - Start Making Money!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Featured resources.

9 Best Trading Business Ideas

Esther Strauss

Published on August 12, 2022

Are you a born trader? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Countless businesses involve trade, from import-export to stock trading, from online ...

46 Food Business Ideas

Natalie Fell

Published on June 30, 2022

People are always eating and drinking, so starting a food business is always a potentially wise career choice. But to succeed you’ll need astr ...

49 Small Town Business Ideas

You might think you can’t do business in a small town. But did you know that some major corporations are based in small towns? Walmart is inBenton ...

No thanks, I don't want to stay up to date on industry trends and news.

Winery Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Starting a winery business is an exciting and rewarding endeavor, but it can also be quite a challenge. Having the right plan in place is key to making sure your winery venture succeeds. The #1 Winery Business Plan Template & Guidebook provides comprehensive advice and tools to help winery owners make sound business decisions and secure the funding they need to succeed. This comprehensive guidebook will provide essential guidance on everything from legal considerations to marketing strategies, helping you set your business up for success.

Get worry-free services and support to launch your business starting at $0 plus state fees.

• How to Start a Profitable Winery Business [11 Steps]
• 25 Catchy Winery Business Names:
• List of the Best Marketing Ideas For Your Winery Business:

How to Write a Winery Business Plan in 7 Steps:

1. describe the purpose of your winery business..

The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your winery business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind thinking about the customers’ problems. It also helps you identify what makes your business different from others in its industry.

It also helps to include a vision statement so that readers can understand what type of company you want to build.

Here is an example of a purpose mission statement for a winery business:

Our mission at [Name of Winery] is to produce the highest quality, sustainably-sourced products, while providing exceptional customer experiences and creating meaningful connections with our local communities. We will strive to be a model of a socially responsible winery that is respected for its commitment to excellence and respect for the environment.

2. Products & Services Offered by Your Winery Business.

The next step is to outline your products and services for your winery business. 

When you think about the products and services that you offer, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is my business?
• What are the products and/or services that I offer?
• Why am I offering these particular products and/or services?
• How do I differentiate myself from competitors with similar offerings?
• How will I market my products and services?

You may want to do a comparison of your business plan against those of other competitors in the area, or even with online reviews. This way, you can find out what people like about them and what they don’t like, so that you can either improve upon their offerings or avoid doing so altogether.

3. Build a Creative Marketing Stratgey.

If you don't have a marketing plan for your winery business, it's time to write one. Your marketing plan should be part of your business plan and be a roadmap to your goals. 

A good marketing plan for your winery business includes the following elements:

Target market

• Who is your target market?
• What do these customers have in common?
• How many of them are there?
• How can you best reach them with your message or product?

Customer base 

• Who are your current customers? 
• Where did they come from (i.e., referrals)?
• How can their experience with your winery business help make them repeat customers, consumers, visitors, subscribers, or advocates for other people in their network or industry who might also benefit from using this service, product, or brand?

Product or service description

• How does it work, what features does it have, and what are its benefits?
• Can anyone use this product or service regardless of age or gender?
• Can anyone visually see themselves using this product or service?
• How will they feel when they do so? If so, how long will the feeling last after purchasing (or trying) the product/service for the first time?

Competitive analysis

• Which companies are competing with yours today (and why)? 
• Which ones may enter into competition with yours tomorrow if they find out about it now through word-of-mouth advertising; social media networks; friends' recommendations; etc.)
• What specific advantages does each competitor offer over yours currently?

Marketing channels

• Which marketing channel do you intend to leverage to attract new customers?
• What is your estimated marketing budget needed?
• What is the projected cost to acquire a new customer?
• How many of your customers do you instead will return?

Form an LLC in your state!

4. Write Your Operational Plan.

Next, you'll need to build your operational plan. This section describes the type of business you'll be running, and includes the steps involved in your operations. 

In it, you should list:

• The equipment and facilities needed
• Who will be involved in the business (employees, contractors)
• Financial requirements for each step
• Milestones & KPIs
• Location of your business
• Zoning & permits required for the business

What equipment, supplies, or permits are needed to run a winery business?

Equipment needed to run a winery business include:

• Vats (stainless steel or wood)
• Grape presses
• Barrels for aging the wines
• Bottles and sealing machines
• Corks and stoppers
• Filtering equipment
• Labeling machines
• Storage tanks

Supplies needed to run a winery business include:

• Grapes, juices and other ingredients for producing wine
• Glass bottles, cork stoppers, labels, capsules, cases and other packaging materials
• Cleaning supplies such as brushes, detergents, sanitizers, etc.

Permits needed to run a winery business include:

• "Basic Permit" (FDA approved) to manufacture wine (must be obtained from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau)

5. Management & Organization of Your Winery Business.

The second part of your winery business plan is to develop a management and organization section.

This section will cover all of the following:

• How many employees you need in order to run your winery business. This should include the roles they will play (for example, one person may be responsible for managing administrative duties while another might be in charge of customer service).
• The structure of your management team. The higher-ups like yourself should be able to delegate tasks through lower-level managers who are directly responsible for their given department (inventory and sales, etc.).
• How you’re going to make sure that everyone on board is doing their job well. You’ll want check-ins with employees regularly so they have time to ask questions or voice concerns if needed; this also gives you time to offer support where necessary while staying informed on how things are going within individual departments too!

6. Winery Business Startup Expenses & Captial Needed.

This section should be broken down by month and year. If you are still in the planning stage of your business, it may be helpful to estimate how much money will be needed each month until you reach profitability.

Typically, expenses for your business can be broken into a few basic categories:

Startup Costs

Startup costs are typically the first expenses you will incur when beginning an enterprise. These include legal fees, accounting expenses, and other costs associated with getting your business off the ground. The amount of money needed to start a winery business varies based on many different variables, but below are a few different types of startup costs for a winery business.

Running & Operating Costs

Running costs refer to ongoing expenses related directly with operating your business over time like electricity bills or salaries paid out each month. These types of expenses will vary greatly depending on multiple variables such as location, team size, utility costs, etc.

Marketing & Sales Expenses

You should include any costs associated with marketing and sales, such as advertising and promotions, website design or maintenance. Also, consider any additional expenses that may be incurred if you decide to launch a new product or service line. For example, if your winery business has an existing website that needs an upgrade in order to sell more products or services, then this should be listed here.

7. Financial Plan & Projections

A financial plan is an important part of any business plan, as it outlines how the business will generate revenue and profit, and how it will use that profit to grow and sustain itself. To devise a financial plan for your winery business, you will need to consider a number of factors, including your start-up costs, operating costs, projected revenue, and expenses. 

Here are some steps you can follow to devise a financial plan for your winery business plan:

• Determine your start-up costs: This will include the cost of purchasing or leasing the space where you will operate your business, as well as the cost of buying or leasing any equipment or supplies that you need to start the business.
• Estimate your operating costs: Operating costs will include utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as labor costs for employees, if any, and the cost of purchasing any materials or supplies that you will need to run your business.
• Project your revenue: To project your revenue, you will need to consider the number of customers you expect to have and the average amount they will spend on each visit. You can use this information to estimate how much money you will make from selling your products or services.
• Estimate your expenses: In addition to your operating costs, you will need to consider other expenses, such as insurance, marketing, and maintenance. You will also need to set aside money for taxes and other fees.
• Create a budget: Once you have estimated your start-up costs, operating costs, revenue, and expenses, you can use this information to create a budget for your business. This will help you to see how much money you will need to start the business, and how much profit you can expect to make.
• Develop a plan for using your profit: Finally, you will need to decide how you will use your profit to grow and sustain your business. This might include investing in new equipment, expanding the business, or saving for a rainy day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Winery Business Plans:

Why do you need a business plan for a winery business.

A business plan for a winery business provides important guidance on how the winery will be established and operated. It defines the winery’s goals and objectives, outlines how it will achieve those goals, and details the resources required to do so. A business plan also serves as a tool for potential investors to assess the financial viability of the winery. Additionally, such a plan helps winemakers evaluate different strategies and scenarios in order to create more efficient operations and improve profitability.

Who should you ask for help with your winery business plan?

You should consider consulting with a professional business consultant or your accountant. They can provide specialized advice on the most appropriate business and financial models for your winery. Additionally, there are numerous online resources and books available to help you develop a business plan, such as SCORE, the Small Business Administration, and the American Vinicultural Society.

Can you write a winery business plan yourself?

Yes, it is possible to write a winery business plan yourself. Creating a comprehensive and thorough business plan requires research into the local market conditions, competition, the winemaking process, and any regulations or laws that may affect your operations. You will also need to provide financial assumptions, such as capital costs or operating expenses, with supporting information. Additionally, you should include a marketing strategy to reach your target market and maximize your sales potential.

Related Business Plans

Home Inventory Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Home Inspection Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Home Decor Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Health And Wellness Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Hauling Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Hardware Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Handyman Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Hair Extension Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Handbag Business Plan Template & Guidebook

I'm Nick, co-founder of newfoundr.com, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. As a small business owner with over five years of experience, I have garnered valuable knowledge and insights across a diverse range of industries. My passion for entrepreneurship drives me to share my expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs, empowering them to turn their business dreams into reality.

Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, I uncover the essential steps, software, tools, and costs associated with launching and maintaining a successful business. By demystifying the complexities of entrepreneurship, I provide the guidance and support needed for others to embark on their journey with confidence.

From assessing market viability and formulating business plans to selecting the right technology and navigating the financial landscape, I am dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs overcome challenges and unlock their full potential. As a steadfast advocate for small business success, my mission is to pave the way for a new generation of innovative and driven entrepreneurs who are ready to make their mark on the world.

How to Start a Winery Business

Have questions on formation, banking and taxes?

Schedule a FREE consultation with a formation and compliance expert today 📞

Owning a winery and making wine is an almost romantic notion for many people but few can transform that dream into a successful business. The wine business is tough but there’s incredible potential there. If you’ve been thinking about starting a wine business and setting up a winery here’s what you need to do to set yourself up for success.

Why Start a Winery Business

A winery business will typically have higher profit margins compared to a different wine business, such as a retail shop. It also has total control of the product so you can bring your vision for the perfect wine to life. There are more business opportunities available for wineries. You could sell in bulk to wholesalers and distributors, and provide white-label manufacturing services in addition to running a tasting room. 

The biggest disadvantage is that it’s a very capital-intensive business. There’s a lot of money required to purchase a vineyard and all of the equipment required to run a winery. It may take several years for a new winery to be profitable so considerable patience will be required before you can break even, let alone turn a profit.

14 Steps to Starting a Winery Business

Considerable thought must go into any new business endeavor and that’s particularly true for starting a winery business since it requires a lot of start-up capital and compliance with the strict regulatory framework for alcohol. The following steps highlight everything you must do to ensure that you hit the ground running once your business starts operating.

Research the Winery Industry

You likely have some idea already of the type of wine that you want to produce. Now would be a good time to research the target market to see the opportunities that exist for your product. It will also educate you about the challenges in the market so you can adapt your plan accordingly. 

Since this is a highly regulated industry, make sure that you are fully aware of all the laws that apply to winery startups, so that your business doesn’t run into any legal troubles when it launches. There will also be many permits and licenses that you’ll need to obtain so find out which ones will be required for your business and prepare the paperwork accordingly. 

Choosing the location of your winery is also going to be a very important decision. If you’re looking to grow grapes, you want to be in a place where the temperature and soil are just right, as both will heavily influence the product quality.

Choose Your Business Model

The business model will determine how your winery is going to operate. Perhaps you prefer total control of the product from seed to bottle or you’re happy to source grapes from farmers to produce your wine, it ultimately comes down to your preference and vision for the business.

• Growing the Grapes

This business model provides you with the most control over the entire supply chain. You choose the vineyard’s location and the type of grapes to be grown, thus enabling you to create the perfect wine brand. In addition to making your own wine with those grapes, you could also sell them to other wineries that don’t have vineyards and further increase revenues.

• Producing the Wine

Having a winery alongside the vineyard is a great example of vertical integration. Harvested grapes are processed quickly and are transformed into the ideal product. Even if you don’t have a vineyard, you can source grapes from different regions to produce your wine.

• Hosting Guests at the Winery

Wine enthusiasts show a lot of interest in the process behind the making of their favorite brands. Leverage that interest by providing curated tasting room experiences as well as visits to the vineyard.

Draft a Business Plan

A business plan serves as the roadmap for setting up and growing your business. It highlights the opportunities and challenges, the regulatory framework, the capital requirements, and the cost outlays. The business plan should evolve as your business grows so that it’s able to adapt to changing dynamics.

Target Customers

You need to know who the buyers are for the product you’re creating. A solid business plan will include research based on which you’ve determined the target market. Look at the demographics in the markets where you’re going to sell the wine, understand their preferences and align your product to them and closely monitor the trends to understand the market potential for your product.

Projected Costs

It can be expensive to set up a winery business. Land acquisition for the winery will be one of the biggest costs as it can range from $10,000 to $30,000 per acre, potentially even higher in regions like Napa Valley. Expect to spend several hundred thousand dollars and even north of $1 million on the various equipment and machinery required to build a production facility.

Pricing Strategy

You need to consider several market factors when deciding on how to price the product. $12-$25 is typically considered to be the sweet spot for vineyards, particularly those that rely on tasting rooms to generate the bulk of their revenue. If you’re in the business of growing grapes and supplying them to other winemakers, consider what the competition is charging and what the demand is for those types of grapes before deciding on what the price will be.

Name of Business

Choosing a unique business name is of vital importance. It’s what will set your brand apart and make it instantly recognizable. That’s particularly important for a winery business as it will be too difficult to stand out of the crowd otherwise. Take some time to decide what the right name for your business will be. It should be unique and easily understandable.

Secure Funding

Since starting a winery business tends to be very capital-intensive, you’d likely have to tap into several sources for funding. This could be through loans and grants that you can apply for at banks and organizations that support small businesses. 

You could also look to crowdfunding if there’s enough interest in your idea to raise funds from the public. Naturally, there’s always the option to dip into your savings if you’ve been setting aside money to launch your business.

Select Your Grape Type

Grapes are essential to your winery business and you need to pick the most suitable one for your wine business. There are primarily three different types of grapes that are used for the production of wine.

• Vitis Vinifera

The Vitis Vinifera grape is used in the vast majority of wine produced. Its varieties include Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s native to the Mediterranean though there are varieties that are native to the eastern United States.

• Vitis Labrusca

The Vitis Labrusca is native to eastern North America and the majority of its grape varieties are red. It’s capable of withstanding a colder climate and can yield wines that are more similar to the European types.

• Vitis Rotundifolia

Native to the southeastern and south-central United States, the Vitis Rotundifolia species is well-suited to warm and humid climates. They’re primarily used to make desserts and artisan wines. 

Choose a Location

The location of a vineyard is of paramount importance. Understand the climate and soil of the place where you want to set up a vineyard. It should be conducive to supporting a good harvest. The location will also dictate the type of grape you can grow as different varieties require different climate conditions. 

Consider ease of access to the location as well, particularly if you intend to operate a tasting room, as it should be relatively easy for people to visit the vineyard. A strong local wine-driving culture is also important as it will ensure support for the business in the community.

Decide on Your Business Structure

Choosing the right business structure is an important part of the process. It determines what legal and regulatory requirements your business is subject to, how it’s going to be taxed, and what compliance may be necessary.

Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is an unincorporated business with a single owner. There is no separation between the business and the owner. They remain personally liable for the obligations of the business. Its biggest advantage is that a sole proprietorship is easy to set up as it has minimal documentation and paperwork requirements.

General Partnership

General partnerships work much in the same way that sole proprietorships do. They consist of two or more owners who share similar personal liability for all obligations. General partnerships are easier to set up as well since they have similarly minimal documentation requirements.

Limited Partnership

In a limited partnership, a managing partner is chosen by all of the other partners who are then responsible for managing the business. The other partners have no management control. The managing partner takes on unlimited liability whereas the other partners have the liability limited up to the amount that they have invested.

Limited Liability Company

A Limited Liability Company (LLC) separates the business from the owner so the exposure to their personal assets in case the business is unable to meet its obligations is limited. LLCs are required to be registered with the secretary of state where they’re based. They’re also annual filing requirements and additional paperwork involved to set them up.

Corporation

A corporation is a completely separate business entity from its owners and as such, it provides the maximum liability protection. Corporations are capable of acquiring assets, entering into contracts, suing or being sued, and issuing stock to raise funds from investors. Corporations are relatively more expensive to set up and also need to follow strict regulatory requirements for filing and disclosures.

Register Your Business

Depending on the type of entity that you’ve chosen, you may be required to register it with the relevant authority. For example, the LLC’s paperwork needs to be filed with the secretary of state where it’s based. Businesses are also required to obtain an Employer Identification Number or EIN from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Acquire the Necessary Licenses and Permits

There are significant licensing and permit requirements for businesses that deal with alcohol, including registration with the ATF . There will also be state and local regulatory requirements specific to where you’re based, so it’s best to research the requirements that apply to your business. Ensure that you comply so that the business can operate seamlessly once it’s launched.

Open a Business Bank Account

Opening a business bank account is essential when setting up a business. You’ll be able to separate your business and personal finances which enables you to exercise prudent financial management. It will also make your life easier come tax season as any guesswork will be eliminated in trying to classify transactions. Opening an account can be done at any preferred bank. 

You’ll typically be asked to provide business registration and personal identification documents as this is a regulatory requirement for banks. They may also offer you additional services such as business credit cards or small business loans, but this usually involves extra due diligence.

Source the Grapes and Other Supplies

If you’re only producing wine and not running a vineyard, sourcing grapes will be one of your biggest challenges. You need to set up a solid supply chain that ensures an adequate supply of high-quality grapes that you can then use to produce wines. 

This will require reaching out to different vineyards, understanding their production capacity and constraints, and supply agreements. Other supplies for wine production will also be required. This will include fermentation tanks, boilers, and bottling machines.

Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is necessary to protect against any potential liabilities. The standard coverage should include general liability and workers’ compensation in addition to commercial property so that your equipment and structures are protected. Insurance coverage is also available for orchards and vineyards that protect against damage to vines and harvested grapes. 

Hire and Train Your Staff

Hiring and training staff will be time-consuming but it’s important to get this part of the process right. You can’t be running everything yourself so the people you put in charge of different aspects of the business must not just be passionate about what they’re doing but must have adequate training so that they’re able to do their job effectively. 

Take your time to find the right candidates for each position and then provide them with adequate training either in-house or through training consultants to ensure that they’re fully equipped to do a great job. 

Advertise Your Business

Once you have the business up and running, it’s time to get the word out about it. Do this through social media marketing campaigns and by running Pay Per Click ads online. You can also invest in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) efforts to increase brand awareness through content marketing. Focus on attending industry events and networking through professional organizations to establish your business as a serious player in the industry.

Raise a Glass to Your Success

It may seem daunting to launch a winery business and while it certainly has its challenges, it also offers unmatched opportunities for business owners to expand and eventually grow their revenue streams. 

Diligent bookkeeping is the foundation of every good business and with doola Bookkeeping , you can eliminate the stress of having to accurately track income and expenses to focus on what matters the most: taking your business to new heights.

How much does it cost to start a winery?

The cost to start a winery can typically range from $300,000 to over $1 million depending on the type of wines being produced, the equipment being acquired, the location of the winery, and any additional services that it may be looking to provide.

Is a winery a profitable business?

For those who have a great understanding of the industry, a winery can be a very profitable business as it provides them with the opportunity to not only make their own wine but also produce wine for other companies.

Can you start a winery without a vineyard?

It is possible to start a winery without a vineyard as you don’t necessarily need to own one. You can source grapes from vineyards and use them to produce wine under your own brand.

Table of contents

Free e-book

How to form a US LLC in 5 minutes

A beginner-friendly guide on the basics of LLCs. Learn about formation, banking, and taxes.

Schedule a FREE consultation with a US CPA today 📞

• LLC vs. C Corporation: The Ultimate Guide for Your Business
• Best State to Form My LLC In
• Wyoming vs. Delaware LLC
• LLC Fees by State

Keep reading

Start your dream business and keep it 100% compliant

Turn your dream idea into your dream business.

A beginner-friendly guide on the basics of LLCs. Learn about formation, banking, and taxes. Get ready to turn your dream idea into your dream US business.

Cookie consent

By continuing to browse this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Learn more.

How to Start a Wine Business: 10 Plans for Wine Businesses

When it comes to learning how to start a winery business and begin wine sales and selling wine by the glass , there’s a lot of information available. In fact, there’s even a BinWise article on opening a winery . That article is a high-level overview of the process of starting a wine business. If you’re planning to run a winery, you should know how to create a winery business plan. It'll help you get settled before you look into buying a winery.

A winery business plan is similar to other business plans (including a restaurant business plan ) in many ways. That said, there are also steps specific to wineries. We'll walk you through every stage of the process.

Is Winery a Good Business?

Before you jump into a wine business, you’ll want to know what you’re getting into financially. Opening a winery requires significant investments of time and money. It won’t be cheap by any means. 

However, the payoff is worth it. On average, the wine industry has been growing over the last few years (it’s estimated to grow by 4.2% from 2020 to 2027). Next, we’ll take a look at wine industry growth to see what kind of earnings you may anticipate once you (and the vines) are off the ground. 

In 2018, the US wine market value totaled $70.5 billion. Nearly 70% of that came from US wines. That value comes from a steady rise in the wine industry since 1994, as more people consume wine, and more wine is produced.

Before 2020, the wine industry was projected to grow by 4-8% in 2020 and beyond. Of course, things changed in 2020, and for wine businesses, those changes were good. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has given more people a reason to stay home and drink wine. From learning wine terms to taking sommelier classes , more folks have leaned into wine culture the last three years. If you’re looking for the right time to start a wine business, now’s that time.

Winery Business Plan

A winery business plan includes everything in a regular business plan, including:

• An executive summary
• An in-depth business description
• The details of labor and operations
• A market analysis
• An explanation of your product plan
• A marketing plan (you can draw from restaurant marketing ideas and wine marketing)
• An analysis of financial plans
• An investment proposal (depending on financial plans)
• Milestone plans

Of course, all those sections of your business plan will be curated towards a winery. In that sense, this will be a winery business plan. Given that fact, there will be other factors that you’ll need to include. 

10 Winery Business Plan Needs

The traditional business plan involving everything outlined above is for a restaurant or bar. It could be for a store, or a marketing or advertising firm. Those are all examples of relatively straightforward businesses.

A winery business is more nuanced. All the expertise that goes into a successful winery needs to be in the winery business plan. From planning for climate to choosing your vines, your winery business plan has more specific needs than a standard plan.

The following 10 winery business plan needs are a good place to start. Depending on the winery you plan to open, they may be all you need. There may be more required for your vision, though. Let these be a guide and a stepping stone toward your business plan. 

10. Finding a Winery Location

Finding a winery location is–of course–key to opening a winery. When it comes to adding this step to your business plan, the main thing to do is scout out potential locations.

To narrow it down, start by choosing a general area you’d like to set up in. Whether you want a US winery or an international spot, you can’t move on without making this decision.

9. Choosing Bottle Design

This one is lower on the list because it’s less of a strict business plan component. However, choosing your wine bottle sizes and label design does feed into your plan for getting started. This will be a nice distraction from other, intense business decisions you’ll make, and will make each case of wine aesthetically pleasing.

8. Reviewing Climate Needs

Reviewing your climate needs feeds into finding a location and choosing your grapes. Different wine grapes do best in different climates, and you’ll need to do a lot of studying up on climate relations to grapes. 

7. Grape Selection

Choosing your grapes may come after you find a location, or you may choose a location based on the grapes you want to grow. It’ll be good to have some idea of what you want to grow as you’re looking for a location. Remember to remain flexible with these steps, too. 

6. Wine Cellar Needs

Any winery worth its vines has a good wine cellar. Some places have caves, some have built structures in old (or new) buildings. Your wine cellar (with wine storage cabinet options) potential could depend on your location, but you also have the option to build up whatever you like. 

5. Alcohol Laws

From laws about selling alcoholic beverages (including online liquor sales ) to who can work at a winery, there are lots of alcohol-related laws (including how to ship wine ) you'll need to get familiar with. If you’re unsure on where to start, a search through your county, city, or state tax and commerce offices should help. Reaching out to local wineries to glean their expertise is also a good idea. 

4. Selecting Winery Equipment

Selecting winery equipment is something you won’t fully be able to do until you know the size of the winery you’re opening. This is because the amount of equipment you’ll need depends on your winery size. That said, your business plan can include a rough estimate of what you’ll need, and what it will cost. 

3. Estimating Costs 

Of course, estimating costs will go beyond equipment. This is in the financial part of your business plan. It’s noted here because a lot of your costs will be winery specific. From equipment to vines to bottle supplies, there’s a long list of goods to secure. 

2. Distribution Plans

Your distribution plan (perhaps with wholesale alcohol distributors ) will depend on where you want to sell your wine. If you’re looking to mass-produce and get your bottles in large stores, this part of your plan is crucial. If you’re looking to sell locally in small batches (learn more about what is a batch in selling terms), this might be a simpler process. Either way, figuring out the logistics of distributing your wine (and potentially other products) will be essential.

1. Winery-Specific Marketing

Anyone opening a business knows how important a marketing plan (including wholesale marketing ) is. It’s part of every business plan, and the need to keep marketing never ends. Your winery-specific marketing plan will encompass everything from advertising to promoting different bottles to hosting events (like happy hour ). It’s also closely tied to curating your space for tastings and other guest-centric bar event ideas . 

Frequently Asked Questions About Winery Business Plans

Once you have your business plan (maybe even an eCommerce business plan if you’re selling online) written up, you still have a long road ahead of you. There’s a lot that goes into starting a winery business, and even once it’s opened, the work never really ends.

For some inspiration to keep moving forward, we focused on frequently asked questions that center on the profits of a winery. If you’re ever staring at your business plan, thinking “How will I do this?” These questions and answers can help serve as motivation. 

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Winery?

On average, the cost to start a winery generally ranges from $600,000 up to the low millions. You may be thinking that’s an insane amount, and it’s quite substantial, but it doesn’t all need to come from your pockets. This is where investors come in handy. 

How Much Money Can You Make Owning a Winery?

The money you can make owning a winery depends on a lot of factors. From bottle price, to the amount of land you have, to the vine growth year. There are things you can control, and things you can’t. On average, a winery brings in around $88,000 a year (that’s for an average size winery). That’s a good number to start with, but keep in mind, it’s all dependent on your winery.

Is a Wine Business a Good Investment?

Overall, yes, a wine business is a good investment. Wine is a beverage people have always liked and always want more of. Even if there are years when the vine growth isn’t great, vineyards are known to bounce back. Opening a winery takes a lot of work, but the long term investment is worth it. 

How to Start a Wine Business: Get Growing!

The title of this section is a bit of a misnomer. Once you have your business plan written up, you won’t be ready to start growing your vines and bottling your wines. You will be one step closer though!

While the practice of writing a business plan is a lot of work, it’s only the beginning. Now you know what you need to do. You certainly know more than you did before. That said, the business plan is, just that, a plan. Now it’s time for work. As you work, you can always come back to the BinWise blog to learn more. 

How to Start a Winery

Starting a winery can be very profitable. With proper planning, execution and hard work, you can enjoy great success. Below you will learn the keys to launching a successful winery.

Importantly, a critical step in starting a winery is to complete your business plan. To help you out, you should download Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template here .

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here

14 Steps To Start a Winery :

• Choose the Name for Your Winery
• Develop Your Winery Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Winery
• Secure Startup Funding for Your Winery (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Winery with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Winery
• Buy or Lease the Right Winery Equipment
• Develop Your Winery Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Winery
• Open for Business

1. Choose the Name for Your Winery

The first step to starting a winery is to choose your business’ name.  

This is a very important choice since your company name is your brand and will last for the lifetime of your business. Ideally you choose a name that is meaningful and memorable. Here are some tips for choosing a name for your winery:

• Make sure the name is available . Check your desired name against trademark databases and your state’s list of registered business names to see if it’s available. Also check to see if a suitable domain name is available.
• Keep it simple . The best names are usually ones that are easy to remember, pronounce and spell.
• Think about marketing . Come up with a name that reflects the desired brand and/or focus of your new wine business.

2. Develop Your Winery Business Plan

One of the most important steps in starting a winery is to develop your winery business plan . The process of creating your plan ensures that you fully understand your market and your business strategy. The plan also provides you with a roadmap to follow and if needed, to present to funding sources to raise capital for your business.

Your business plan should include the following sections:

• Executive Summary – this section should summarize your entire business plan so readers can quickly understand the key details of your winery.
• Company Overview – this section tells the reader about the history of your winery and what type of winery you operate. For example, are you an estate winery, farmstead winery, or a custom crush winery?
• Industry Analysis – here you will document key information about the winery industry. Conduct market research and document how big the industry is and what trends are affecting it.
• Customer Analysis – in this section, you will document who your ideal or target audience are and their demographics. For example, how old are they? Where do they live? What do they find important when purchasing products like the ones you will offer?
• Competitive Analysis – here you will document the key direct and indirect competitors you will face and how you will build competitive advantage.
• Marketing Plan – your marketing plan should address the 4Ps: Product, Price, Promotions and Place.
• Product : Determine and document what products/services you will offer 
• Prices : Document the prices of your products/services
• Place : Where will your business be located and how will that location help you increase sales?
• Promotions : What promotional methods will you use to attract customers to your winery? For example, you might decide to use pay-per-click advertising, public relations, search engine optimization and/or social media marketing.
• Operations Plan – here you will determine the key processes you will need to run your day-to-day operations. You will also determine your staffing needs. Finally, in this section of your plan, you will create a projected growth timeline showing the milestones you hope to achieve in the coming years.
• Management Team – this section details the background of your company’s management team.
• Financial Plan – finally, the financial plan answers questions including the following:
• What startup costs will you incur?
• How will your winery make money?
• What are your projected sales and expenses for the next five years?
• Do you need to raise funding to launch your business?

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

3. choose the legal structure for your winery.

Next you need to choose a legal structure for your own wine industry and register it and your business name with the Secretary of State in each state where you operate your business.

Below are the five most common legal structures:

1) Sole proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is a business entity in which the vineyard owner and the business are the same legal person. The owner of a sole proprietorship is responsible for all debts and obligations of the business. There are no formalities required to establish a sole proprietorship, and it is easy to set up and operate. The main advantage of a sole proprietorship is that it is simple and inexpensive to establish. The main disadvantage is that the owner is liable for all debts and obligations of the business.

2) Partnerships

A partnership is a legal structure that is popular among small business owners. It is an agreement between two or more people who want to start a winery together. The partners share in the profits and losses of the business. 

The advantages of a partnership are that it is easy to set up, and the partners share in the profits and losses of the business. The disadvantages of a partnership are that the partners are jointly liable for the debts of the business, and disagreements between partners can be difficult to resolve.

3) Limited Liability Company (LLC)

A limited liability company, or LLC, is a type of business entity that provides limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners of an LLC are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The advantages of an LLC for a winery include flexibility in management, pass-through taxation (avoids double taxation as explained below), and limited personal liability. The disadvantages of an LLC include lack of availability in some states and self-employment taxes.

4) C Corporation

A C Corporation is a business entity that is separate from its owners. It has its own tax ID and can have shareholders. The main advantage of a C Corporation for a winery is that it offers limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The disadvantage is that C Corporations are subject to double taxation. This means that the corporation pays taxes on its profits, and the shareholders also pay taxes on their dividends.

5) S Corporation

An S Corporation is a type of corporation that provides its owners with limited liability protection and allows them to pass their business income through to their personal income tax returns, thus avoiding double taxation. There are several limitations on S Corporations including the number of shareholders they can have among others.

Once you register your winery, your state will send you your official “Articles of Incorporation.” You will need this among other documentation when establishing your banking account (see below). We recommend that you consult an attorney in determining which legal structure is best suited for your company.

Incorporate Your Business at the Guaranteed Lowest Price

We are proud to have partnered with Business Rocket to help you incorporate your business at the lowest price, guaranteed.

Not only does BusinessRocket have a 4.9 out of 5 rating on TrustPilot (with over 1,000 reviews) because of their amazing quality…but they also guarantee the most affordable incorporation packages and the fastest processing time in the industry.

4. Secure Startup Funding for Your Winery (If Needed)

In developing your winery business plan , you might have determined that you need to raise funding to launch your business. 

If so, the main sources of funding for a winery to consider are personal savings, family and friends, credit card financing, bank loans, crowdfunding and angel investors. Angel investors are individuals who provide capital to early-stage businesses. Angel investors typically will invest in a winery that they believe has high potential for growth.

5. Secure a Location for Your Business

There are a few things you need to take into account when finding a suitable location for your own winery. You’ll want to make sure the climate is right for growing grapes, that the area has enough rainfall, and that there is good soil quality. You should also look for an area with a lot of tourists, as this can help boost sales.

6. Register Your Winery with the IRS

Next, you need to register your business with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which will result in the IRS issuing you an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Most banks will require you to have an EIN in order to open up an account. In addition, in order to hire employees, you will need an EIN since that is how the IRS tracks your payroll tax payments.

Note that if you are a sole proprietor without employees, you generally do not need to get an EIN. Rather, you would use your social security number (instead of your EIN) as your taxpayer identification number.

7. Open a Business Bank Account

It is important to establish a bank account in your winery’s name. This process is fairly simple and involves the following steps:

• Identify and contact the bank you want to use
• Gather and present the required documents (generally include your company’s Articles of Incorporation, driver’s license or passport, and proof of address)
• Complete the bank’s application form and provide all relevant information
• Meet with a banker to discuss your business needs and establish a relationship with them

8. Get a Business Credit Card

You should get a business credit card for your winery to help you separate personal and business expenses.

You can either apply for a business credit card through your bank or apply for one through a credit card company.

When you’re applying for a business credit card, you’ll need to provide some information about your business. This includes the name of your business, the address of your business, and the type of business you’re running. You’ll also need to provide some information about yourself, including your name, Social Security number, and date of birth.

Once you’ve been approved for a business credit card, you’ll be able to use it to make purchases for your business. You can also use it to build your credit history which could be very important in securing loans and getting credit lines for your business in the future.

9. Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits

To start a winery, you will need a winery license from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) to produce wine for sale. You will also need a permit from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make wine.

There may be additional licenses and permits needed in your area. You can contact your local city or county government to find out other business licenses and permits that you will need.

10. Get Business Insurance for Your Winery

The type of insurance needed to operate a winery can vary depending on the size and scope of your business. 

Business insurance policies that you should consider for your winery include:

• General liability insurance : This covers accidents and injuries that occur on your property. It also covers damages caused by your employees or products.
• Auto insurance : If a vehicle is used in your business, this type of insurance will cover if a vehicle is damaged or stolen.
• Workers’ compensation insurance : If you have employees, this type of policy works with your general liability policy to protect against workplace injuries and accidents. It also covers medical expenses and lost wages.
• Commercial property insurance : This covers damage to your property caused by fire, theft, or vandalism.
• Business interruption insurance : This covers lost income and expenses if your business is forced to close due to a covered event.
• Professional liability insurance : This protects your business against claims of professional negligence.

Find an insurance agent, tell them about your business and its needs, and they will recommend policies that fit those needs. 

11. Buy or Lease the Right Winery Equipment

Some basic farming  equipment you will need to run a winery includes: 

• a vat for fermenting the wine
• a press for extracting the juice from the grapes 
• hoses for transferring the wine 
• oak barrels 
• wine bottles
• corks for bottling
• grape crushers 
• wine tanks 

12. Develop Your Winery Marketing Materials

Marketing materials will be required to attract and retain customers to your winery.

The key marketing materials you will need are as follows:

• Logo : Spend some time developing a good logo for your winery. Your logo will be printed on company stationery, business cards, marketing materials and so forth. The right logo can increase customer trust and awareness of your brand.
• Website : Likewise, a professional winery website provides potential customers with information about the products you offer, your company’s history, and contact information. Importantly, remember that the look and feel of your website will affect how customers perceive you.
• Social Media Accounts : establish social media accounts in your company’s name. Accounts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and/or other social media networks will help customers and others find and interact with your winery.

13. Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Winery

To run a winery, you need software that can help you manage your inventory, track sales and shipments, and create wine labels and other marketing materials. There are many options available for this software, depending on your winery’s needs.

For a small winery that sells to a few retailers and restaurants or wine bars, a basic point of sale (POS) system may be sufficient. These systems can track sales, inventory, labor hours, and product costs. Because of the low monthly fee associated with these systems, they may also include invoicing and other basic marketing tools.

For medium to larger wineries, you may want a system that includes advanced inventory management. These systems can help your staff easily track what products are available for sale, where they are in the wine production process, and when they were bottled (to help meet required bottle aging information). Many of these systems are highly customizable, making it easier to manage the particulars of your winery.

14. Open for Business

You are now ready to open your winery. If you followed the steps above, you should be in a great position to build a successful business. Below are answers to frequently asked questions that might further help you.

Additional Resources

Winery Mavericks

How to Finish Your Ultimate Business Plan in 1 Day!

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your winery business plan?

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

How to Start a Winery FAQs

Is it hard to start a winery.

It’s not hard to start a winery. There are few things to consider when opening a wine business , from the cost of materials and equipment to the location of your vineyard. You'll also need to have a strong marketing and sales plan in place to make your venture successful.

How can I start a winery with no experience?

There are a few ways to start a winery with no experience. One way is to do some research on the winemaking process. There are many resources available online. You can also attend wine tastings and winemaking workshops to get a better understanding of the process. Additionally, you can speak with experienced winery owners for advice.

What type of winery is most profitable?

The most profitable type of winery is a boutique winery. A boutique winery produces a limited number of cases per year, typically between 500 and 5,000 cases. They focus on high-quality wine making, using only the best grapes. Because they produce such a small amount of wine, their wines are often in high demand and command a high price.

How much does it cost to start a winery?

The cost of starting a winery can vary greatly depending on the size and scope of the business. However, on average, it costs around $75,000 to get a winery up and running. This includes the cost of land, equipment, licenses, and startup expenses.

What are the ongoing expenses for a winery?

The bulk of ongoing expenses for a winery are those related to the production of the wine. In order to produce wine, you will need to purchase grapes, oak barrels, and other ingredients. You will also need to pay for labor, packaging, and shipping.

How does a winery make money?

A winery makes money by producing wine, selling wine, and hosting events. Wine is sold wholesale to restaurants, liquor stores, and other retailers. Wines can also be sold directly to consumers through the winery's tasting room, online store, or by mail order. Some wineries also offer food service, retail items, or lodging. Events such as weddings, parties, and corporate events are also popular at wineries and can be a source of income.

Is owning a winery profitable?

Yes, owning a winery can be profitable if you manage it well. There are a few things to keep in mind when running a winery, such as keeping track of your expenses and revenue, making sure you have a good marketing strategy, and maintaining your wine inventory. If you can stay on top of these things, your winery can be a successful business venture.

Why do wineries fail?

Most wineries fail because they do not have a solid business plan in place. They may not have the proper marketing and distribution strategies, or they may not produce a high-quality product. Many wineries also fail because they do not budget properly and end up going bankrupt.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

• Advance Medical Directive Forms
• Affidavit and Declaration Forms
• Arbitration Forms
• Assignment Forms
• Auditor Forms
• Confidentiality Forms
• Court Forms
• Employment Contract Forms
• Energy and Environmental Forms
• Escrow Agreements
• Incorporation and Company Forms
• Independent Contractor Forms
• Intellectual Property Forms
• Landlord and Tenant Notices
• Law Office Management
• Letters of Intent
• Limited Liability Companies
• Marriage and Family Law
• Mergers, Amalgamations and Takeovers
• Partnerships and Joint Ventures
• Personal Guarantees
• Power of Attorney Forms
• Releases and Waivers
• Shareholder Forms
• Software Licensing and Development Forms
• Stock Options and Incentive Plans
• Trust Agreements
• Wills & Estate Planning Forms
• Advertising and Marketing Forms
• Animal Services Forms
• Bids, Tenders and Proposals
• Business and Marketing Plans
• Business Presentations
• Buying or Selling a Business
• Catering Forms
• Cleaning Contracts and Forms
• Construction Industry Forms
• Consulting Contract Forms
• Customer Service Forms
• Distributor and Dealership Agreements
• Equipment Sales and Leasing
• Film and TV Contracts
• Forms for Online Businesses
• Franchise Forms
• Graphic Arts Forms
• Health Services Forms
• Hotel Management Forms
• Information Technology Forms
• Manufacturing Forms
• Music Contracts
• Nanny and Childcare Forms
• Painting Contractor Forms
• Photographer Contracts
• Publishing Business Forms
• Purchasing Forms
• Restaurant Management Forms
• Roofing Contractor Forms
• Sales and Auction Forms
• Security Services
• Service Contracts
• Sports and Fitness Forms
• Starting Up a Small Business
• Storage Contracts and Parking Leases
• Vehicle Sales and Leasing Forms
• Website Development and Hosting
• Workplace Manuals and Policies
• Accounts Receivable & Credit Forms
• Asset Protection and Tax Planning
• Bankruptcy Forms
• Bill of Sale Forms
• Financial Service Contracts
• Insurance Forms
• Investor Forms
• Loan Transaction Forms
• Mortgage Forms
• Promissory Note Forms
• Retirement Planning Information
• Succession Planning
• Commercial Lease Forms
• Condominium and Strata Forms
• Facility Rental Forms
• Farm Land Leases
• Hunting and Fishing Leases
• Mobile Home Forms
• Property Appraisal Forms
• Real Estate Forms
• Rental Property Management Forms
• Residential Lease and Tenancy Forms
• Vacation Property Rental Forms
• Discount Plans
• Subscribers
• UNITED KINGDOM
• UNITED STATES
• NEW ZEALAND
• Civil Actions
• Criminal Cases
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• South Australia
• Western Australia
• British Columbia
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland & Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island
• Saskatchewan
• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• West Virginia
• District of Columbia
• BRITISH COLUMBIA
• NEW BRUNSWICK
• NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
• NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
• NOVA SCOTIA
• PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
• SASKATCHEWAN
• YUKON TERRITORY
• MASSACHUSETTS
• MISSISSIPPI
• NEW HAMPSHIRE
• NORTH CAROLINA
• NORTH DAKOTA
• PENNSYLVANIA
• RHODE ISLAND
• SOUTH CAROLINA
• SOUTH DAKOTA
• WEST VIRGINIA
• Free Celebrity Wills
• Cast and Crew Contracts
• Film Clearance and Release Forms
• Film Distribution and Licensing Forms
• Film Financing and Budget Forms
• Film Production Logs and Forms
• Film Tax Credit Forms
• Rental Contracts for Film and TV
• Script and Screenwriter Forms
• Soundtracks and Scores
• Theater Production Forms
• TV Production Contracts
• Video Production Forms
• Booking Agent & Manager Contracts
• Music Publishing Forms
• Recording Contract Forms
• Songwriter Contracts
• Australian Capital Territory

• Business Forms /
• Business and Marketing Plans /

Winery Start-Up Business Plan

Prepare a Business Plan for a start-up winery business with this fully editable template.

• The initial purpose of the Business Plan is to obtain a loan to start up a small premium winery. The loan proceeds will be used to purchase the land, grapes, equipment and supplies.
• The Business Plan includes a market analysis and a financial model with pro forma templates.
• The Plan also includes a Confidentiality Agreement to protect against disclosure of your proprietary information, such as financial data.
• Each section contains instructions to help you compete the document.

• Glossary of Common Legal and Business Terms
• Find a Lawyer
• Legal In A Box
• Privacy Policy
• About MegaDox
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Guest Bloggers
• Exchanges and Refunds
• Save Money with a Subscription or Discount Plan
• Testimonials
• Conditions of Use
• Customer info
• Shopping cart
• Calgary, Alberta, Canada
• [email protected]
• 359-889-23-01-90; 359-889-23-01-90

Ontario vineyard offers wine in reused bottles cleaned by Kitchener company

Circulr co-founder says they're excited to 'start the ball rolling on something really big'.

Social Sharing

A vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., has bottled a 2021 field blend wine in reused bottles for the first time.

Stratus Vineyards collaborated on the intiative with Circulr in Kitchener, Ont., a company that provides reusable packaging like jars for stores and other retailers.

Stratus gathered used wine bottles from customers and collected bottles from the winery's tasting room, then gave them to Circulr to figure out how to properly process them so they could be used again.

"This has never really been done before in Ontario," Circulr co-founder Tyler De Sousa said in an interview on CBC Kitchener-Waterloo's The Morning Edition .

"We had conversations, I think over two years ago now, about how we wanted to do this and it was something we wanted to pursue."

Stratus collected 50 cases of bottles for Circulr to test. They had to figure out what could be done with the screw caps, how to properly wash and sanitize the bottles and how to remove the labels.

"The labels that are on there ... they've sort of been built up over years and years to be bulletproof pretty much to make sure that they don't come off after a decade or two of aging. So it's a long process to get the labels off," he said.

"Once the label's off, the hard part is done."

WATCH |  Ontario winery to resuse bottles :

Ontario winery to reuse bottles

European case study had promising results.

Currently in Ontario wine bottles are recycled through blue bin systems or by people who return them to The Beer Store, which runs a recycling program.

The practice of reusing wine bottles is more popular in Europe. The group Zero Waste Europe reported in 2021 that as part of a reWINE case study , 82,239 glass bottles were reused by wineries, which saved an estimated 171,058 tonnes of CO2, which is the equivalent to the amount of emissions a car would produce while travelling 11 times around the world.

The case study was done in Spain by the company Rezero between 2016 and 2020 and involved 99 stakeholders, from wineries to stores and restaurants and municipal waste collection points.

Marta Beltran, project director at Rezero, said in the 2021 release about the case study that the project "clearly shows the positive impact of wine bottle reuse on climate change mitigation and is key for the transition of the sector towards zero waste."

But, Beltran added, in order to make wine bottle reuse successful there would need to be an investment in the tools to make it happen and government regulations would need to be in place.

Advocacy group applauds move

Reusing wine bottles is an idea Ashley Wallis applauds. She's the associate director of Environmental Defence, and the group wrote a paper in 2011 advocating for refillable wine bottles in Ontario.

"Despite nearly 80 per cent of glass wine and liquor bottles being returned to The Beer Store through the province's highly successful deposit return program, these bottles have not up to this point been reused. This is a missed opportunity, and one we're happy to see local wineries, like Stratus, address," Wallis said in an email to CBC News.

She said it takes a lot of energy and resources to make products that are used briefly before they're thrown away.

• Mass produced paper bottles are here and are sure to turn heads — and raise some questions too
• Running on empty: As Beer Store locations close, it's getting harder to recycle

"We need to massively reduce the amount of single-use products and packaging in our economy, and favour non-toxic, low-carbon reuse systems. Reusing glass wine bottles, at a regional or local level, is just the kind of initiative we need more of," she said.

Wallis also said there's no reason to stop at wine bottles. Environmental Defence has been calling on the province to broaden the deposit return program to include pop, juice and water containers since 2014, she said.

A broader program "would make it easier for companies to sell non-alcoholic drinks in reusable containers, and keep billions of single-use bottles and cans out of our environment, landfills, and incinerators."

'Have to start asking questions'

Dean Stoyka is the winemaker at Stratus Vineyards and says many wineries want to go on "the path of least resistance" and that's the usual way to recycling bottles.

"The thought of going through all these extra steps is, for a lot of companies like, well, why would I do that?" he said.

"With our sustainable mindset, we kind of have to start asking questions," he added. "Can we continue to go down this path where we're using these bottles once and then they're sometimes being recycled, but usually not being reused almost ever?"

Suzanne Janke is the estate director at Stratus Vineyards and says reusing bottles is another step in their commitment to environmental stewardship. The winery earned a LEED certification for their full facility in 2005 when it opened. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental design and is a global rating system that certifies green buildings.

"From that day forward, we've engaged in all kinds of different activities from the way we service our guests, the way we farm the vineyard, the way we make our wines in terms of being as mindful of the environment as possible, obviously, because wine comes from the land," she said.

"We have a very obvious and inherent responsibility to work this way."

LISTEN |  Kitchener company Circulr works with stores, businesses to recycle jars :

'Something really big'

Stoyka says they have plans to grow from 50 cases to 200 cases this year. He said they haven't found an alternative to the wine bottle that allows wine to age the same way, "so we're really married to the wine bottle."

Knowing that, he wants to see the idea of reusing bottles take off across the province.

"The idea is to grow it more and more with Circulr until we can maybe find a standardized bottle and get a bunch of wineries going on," he said.

"Ideally our entire production and all of Ontario — we have a really small, tight-knit community  … we're kind of perfectly set up to sort of band together and take initiative where there's bottles being used by the wineries."

• Pot shop employee pushes Ontario to adopt a cannabis container return program
• Big grocers, retailers want Ontario's recycling plan changed

De Sousa says he expects their Kitchener facility "is going to see a lot of bottles in the next 12 months" as more wineries and vineyards express interest in the idea of reusing their bottles, too.

"There's a lot of interest in that movement," he said, adding Circulr has talked to two dozen wineries who seemed open to the idea of what the company is doing.

"We're kind of just getting our stuff together," he said, adding Stratus and Circulr are excited to "start the ball rolling on something really big."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Reporter/Editor

Kate has been covering issues in southern Ontario for more than 20 years. She is currently working for CBC Kitchener-Waterloo. Email: [email protected]

Related Stories

• Nunavut scraps bottle deposits because glass, plastic end up in landfill
• Coke, Pepsi top list in global count of plastic waste
• Why are European wines often cheaper than Canadian ones? Centuries of production — and regulation

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Most drivers will pay $15 to enter busiest part of Manhattan starting June 30

FILE - Recently installed toll traffic cameras hang above West End Ave. near 61st Street in the Manhattan borough of New York, Friday, Nov. 16, 2023. The start date for the $15 toll most drivers will be charged to enter Manhattan’s central business district will be June 30, transit officials said Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

• Copy Link copied

NEW YORK (AP) — The start date for the $15 toll most drivers will be charged to enter Manhattan’s central business district will be June 30, transit officials said Friday.

Under the so-called congestion pricing plan, the $15 fee will apply to most drivers who enter Manhattan south of 60th Street during daytime hours. Tolls will be higher for larger vehicles and lower for nighttime entries into the city as well as for motorcycles.

The program, which was approved by the New York state Legislature in 2019, is supposed to raise $1 billion per year to fund public transportation for the city’s 4 million daily riders.

“Ninety percent-plus of the people come to the congestion zone, the central business district, walking, biking and most of all taking mass transit,” Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Janno Lieber told WABC. “We are a mass transit city and we are going to make it even better to be in New York.”

Supporters say that in addition to raising money for buses and subways, congestion pricing will reduce pollution be disincentivizing driving into Manhattan.

“We cannot drive our way out of the climate crisis, and congestion pricing will provide critical funding to upgrade our mass transit system, benefiting the millions of daily commuters across the region and encouraging countless more to ditch their gas-guzzling cars,” said Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters.

Opponents say the fees will be a burden for commuters, who already pay bridge and tunnel tolls, and will increase the prices of staple goods that are driven to the city by truck.

The state of New Jersey has filed a lawsuit over the congestion pricing plan, will be the first such program in the United States.

Lieber said he is “pretty optimistic” about how the New Jersey lawsuit will be resolved.

Congestion pricing will start at 12:01 a.m. on June 30, Lieber said, so the first drivers will be charged the late-night fee of $3.75. The $15 toll will take effect at 9 a.m.

Low-income drivers can apply for a congestion toll discount on the MTA website, and disabled people can apply for exemptions.

Anthropic launches new iPhone app and premium plan for businesses

Anthropic, one of the world’s best-funded generative AI startups with $7.6 billion in the bank, is launching a new paid plan aimed at enterprises, including those in highly regulated industries like healthcare, finance and legal, as well as a new iOS app.

Team, the enterprise plan, gives customers higher-priority access to Anthropic’s Claude 3 family of generative AI models plus additional admin and user management controls.

“Anthropic introduced the Team plan now in response to growing demand from enterprise customers who want to deploy Claude’s advanced AI capabilities across their organizations,” Scott White, product lead at Anthropic, told TechCrunch. “ The Team plan is designed for businesses of all sizes and industries that want to give their employees access to Claude’s language understanding and generation capabilities in a controlled and trusted environment.”

The Team plan — which joins Anthropic’s individual premium plan, Pro — delivers “greater usage per user” compared to Pro, enabling users to “significantly increase” the number of chats that they can have with Claude. (We’ve asked Anthropic for figures.) Team customers get a 200,000- token (~150,000-word) context window as well as all the advantages of Pro, like early access to new features.

Image Credits: Anthropic

Context window, or context, refers to input data (e.g. text) that a model considers before generating output (e.g. more text). Models with small context windows tend to forget the content of even very recent conversations, while models with larger contexts avoid this pitfall — and, as an added benefit, better grasp the flow of data they take in.

Team also brings with it new toggles to control billing and user management. And in the coming weeks, it’ll gain collaboration features including citations to verify AI-generated claims (models including Anthropic’s tend to hallucinate ), integrations with data repos like codebases and customer relationship management platforms (e.g. Salesforce) and — perhaps most intriguing to this writer — a canvas to work with team members on AI-generated docs and projects, Anthropic says.

In the nearer term, Team customers will be able to leverage tool use capabilities for Claude 3, which recently entered open beta. This allows users to equip Claude 3 with custom tools to perform a wider range of tasks, like getting a firm’s current stock price or the local weather report, similar to OpenAI’s GPTs .

“By enabling businesses to deeply integrate Claude into their collaborative workflows, the Team plan positions Anthropic to capture significant enterprise market share as more companies move from AI experimentation to full-scale deployment in pursuit of transformative business outcomes,” White said. “In 2023, customers rapidly experimented with AI, and now in 2024, the focus has shifted to identifying and scaling applications that deliver concrete business value.”

Anthropic talks a big game, but it still might take a substantial effort on its part to get businesses on board.

According to a recent Gartner survey, 49% of companies said that it’s difficult to estimate and demonstrate the value of AI projects, making them a tough sell internally. A separate poll from McKinsey found that 66% of executives believe that generative AI is years away from generating substantive business results.

Yet corporate spending on generative AI is forecasted to be enormous. IDC expects that it’ll reach $15.1 billion in 2027 , growing nearly eightfold from its total in 2023.

That’s probably generative AI vendors, most notably OpenAI, are ramping up their enterprise-focused efforts.

OpenAI recently said that it had more than 600,000 users signed up for the enterprise tier of its generative AI platform ChatGPT, ChatGPT Enterprise . And it’s introduced a slew of tools aimed at satisfying corporate compliance and governance requirements, like a new user interface to compare model performance and quality.

Anthropic is competitively pricing its Team plan: $30 per user per month billed monthly, with a minimum of five seats. OpenAI doesn’t publish the price of ChatGPT Enterprise, but users on Reddit report being quoted anywhere from $30 per user per month for 120 users to $60 per user per month for 250 users. 

“Anthropic’s Team plan is competitive and affordable considering the value it offers organizations,” White said. “The per-user model is straightforward, allowing businesses to start small and expand gradually. This structure supports Anthropic’s growth and stability while enabling enterprises to strategically leverage AI.”

It undoubtedly helps that Anthropic’s launching Team from a position of strength.

Amazon in March completed its $4 billion investment in Anthropic ( following a $2 billion Google investment), and the company is reportedly on track to generate more than $850 million in annualized revenue by the end of 2024 — a 70% increase from an earlier projection. Anthropic may see Team as its logical next path to expansion. But at least right now it seems Anthropic can afford to let Team grow organically as it attempts to convince holdout businesses its generative AI is better than the rest.

An Anthropic iOS app

Anthropic’s other piece of news Wednesday is that it’s launching an iOS app. Given that the company’s conspicuously been hiring iOS engineers over the past few months, this comes as no great surprise.

The iOS app provides access to Claude 3, including free access as well as upgraded Pro and Team access. It syncs with Anthropic’s client on the web, and it taps Claude 3’s vision capabilities to offer real-time analysis for uploaded and saved images. For example, users can upload a screenshot of charts from a presentation and ask Claude to summarize them.

“By offering the same functionality as the web version, including chat history syncing and photo upload capabilities, the iOS app aims to make Claude a convenient and integrated part of users’ daily lives, both for personal and professional use,” White said. “It complements the web interface and API offerings, providing another avenue for users to engage with the AI assistant. As we continue to develop and refine our technologies, we’ll continue to explore new ways to deliver value to users across various platforms and use cases, including mobile app development and functionality.”

A retired Microsoft exec and his wife fell in love with RVing during the pandemic. Now he's using AI to help you plan your next road trip.

• Scott Lengel, a former Microsoft CTO, launched an AI-powered RV road trip planner, AdventureGenie.
• He said when he got into RVing during the pandemic, he couldn't find a great planning tool.
•  AdventureGenie recommends custom routes, campsites, and activities based on user preferences.

Scott Lengel and his wife, Lisa, were Marriott people.

After spending 23 years as a CTO at Microsoft , Lengel retired in 2017, at which point he and his wife knew they wanted to travel the world. They visited places like Cambodia, Vietnam, and India, typically traveling by plane and staying in hotels — often Marriotts.

Then the pandemic hit.

Suddenly, they were stuck at home in South Carolina. That's when the couple realized, "We really haven't seen the good old US of A."

Up until that point, they'd never even been camping .

"We figured if ever there was a time to go RVing, to go camping, this would be it," Lengel told Business Insider.

So they rented an RV and set off for Nashville with a couple of good friends. "We just had a blast," Lengel said. "Hanging around the campsite and the campfire and eating and beverages, and just the camaraderie. We just fell in love with the lifestyle of camping in one week."

Within six months, they purchased an RV of their own and started taking it all over. But when the couple tried to plan a six-week, multi-stop road trip to the national parks of the Southwest, they realized it was actually pretty challenging and that the existing resources were not great.

"There has to be a better way," they thought.

A couple of years later, in May 2023, Lengel launched AdventureGenie — an AI-powered RV trip planner. Lengel, who serves as chairman and CEO, said that in less than a year, AdventureGenie has attracted more than 10,000 users, and not just RVers, but also people traveling in cars on all kinds of road trips.

AI can customize trip planning

AdventureGenie is one of many AI-powered trip-planning tools that have popped up over the past couple of years. It's been featured on lists of the best RV- and road-trip planning AI tools.

Related stories

AdventureGenie is set up to help people plan their trips in three phases, which Lengel said was based on talking to thousands of people about how they plan their trips.

First, you can shape your trip. You can tell AdventureGenie things like where you want to start, where you want to end, how many miles you want to drive in a day, and any places you know you want to stop along the way. AdventureGenie will create a custom route based on your preferences and what the program knows about you, either from what you've told it or from past trips you've planned.

Second, you can select your campsites. AdventureGenie uses AI to compile information about campsites and make recommendations based on your preferences. In addition to generating an overall score on a campsite, AdventureGenie also generates a score that is unique to you, indicating how likely a specific campground is to meet your personal needs.

Third, is finding things to do. For instance, if it knows you like eating at local restaurants, hiking, and biking, as Lengel and his wife do, it can point out those attractions.

The biggest thing AI brings to AdventureGenie's trip planning is the customization, Lengel said. Instead of looking up a generic road trip planner that is the first hit served to everyone on Google, AdventureGenie can create itineraries that are unique to you.

"It feels as if you have a copilot or a travel planner sitting by your side and knows what you're looking for and customizes it for you," Lengel said.

He said that when RVers first use AdventureGenie the "jaw-dropping" moment for them is when it fills in the blanks on a trip with stops along the way.

In the past, if you wanted to road trip from South Carolina to Yellowstone, you'd have to look at a map and try to plot out stops based on how many miles a day you want to drive. But you'd also have to manually figure out whether those stops have campsites that suit your needs, or if they have any other attractions that make them worth passing through, or how far off the highway they are.

Lengel said new AdventureGenie users often say it saves them so much time planning their trip just by filling in their route.

"That's pretty darn rewarding for us," he said.

From Microsoft to tech startup

Lengel, who came out of retirement to launch AdventureGenie, said working on this startup has been a major change of pace from his days at Microsoft, which he also loved.

"We're a startup at our core, and it's a lot different than when I was working for an organization that had 150,000 employees and an incredible budget," he said. "We all wear lots of hats, which has been exciting, thrilling, and even challenging from time to time."

These days, he and his wife are on the road three out of four weeks a month, though now it's usually for work, visiting trade shows and meeting with RV user groups.

However, they do still make a point to do some fun things, too.

When Lengel spoke to BI, he was sitting in his RV in the Florida Keys, with a view of the ocean right out his window .

Watch: Marriott International's Tina Edmundson tells Insider that the travel mindset has changed since the pandemic

• Main content

How To Write a Successful Vineyard Business Plan + Template

Creating a business plan is essential for any business, but it can be especially helpful for vineyard businesses who want to improve their strategy and/or raise funding.

A well-crafted business plan not only outlines the vision for your company, but also documents a step-by-step roadmap of how you are going to accomplish it. In order to create an effective business plan, you must first understand the components that are essential to its success.

This article provides an overview of the key elements that every vineyard business owner should include in their business plan.

Download the Ultimate Business Plan Template

What is a Vineyard Business Plan?

A vineyard business plan is a formal written document that describes your company’s business strategy and its feasibility. It documents the reasons you will be successful, your areas of competitive advantage, and it includes information about your team members. Your business plan is a key document that will convince investors and lenders (if needed) that you are positioned to become a successful venture.

Why Write a Vineyard Business Plan?

A vineyard business plan is required for banks and investors. The document is a clear and concise guide of your business idea and the steps you will take to make it profitable.

Entrepreneurs can also use this as a roadmap when starting their new company or venture, especially if they are inexperienced in starting a business.

Writing an Effective Vi neyard Business Plan

The following are the key components of a successful vineyard business plan:

Executive Summary

The executive summary of a vineyard business plan is a one to two page overview of your entire business plan. It should summarize the main points, which will be presented in full in the rest of your business plan.

• Start with a one-line description of your vineyard company
• Provide a short summary of the key points in each section of your business plan, which includes information about your company’s management team, industry analysis, competitive analysis, and financial forecast among others.

Company Description

This section should include a brief history of your company. Include a short description of how your company started, and provide a timeline of milestones your company has achieved.

If you are just starting your vineyard business, you may not have a long company history. Instead, you can include information about your professional experience in this industry and how and why you conceived your new venture. If you have worked for a similar company before or have been involved in an entrepreneurial venture before starting your vineyard firm, mention this.

You will also include information about your chosen vineyard business model and how, if applicable, it is different from other companies in your industry.

Industry Analysis

The industry or market analysis is an important component of a vineyard business plan. Conduct thorough market research to determine industry trends and document the size of your market. 

Questions to answer include:

• What part of the vineyard industry are you targeting?
• How big is the market?
• What trends are happening in the industry right now (and if applicable, how do these trends support the success of your company)?

You should also include sources for the information you provide, such as published research reports and expert opinions.

Customer Analysis

This section should include a list of your target audience(s) with demographic and psychographic profiles (e.g., age, gender, income level, profession, job titles, interests). You will need to provide a profile of each customer segment separately, including their needs and wants.

For example, a vineyard business’ customers may include both wine enthusiasts and casual drinkers. A customer profile for wine enthusiasts might look something like this:

• Wine enthusiasts are passionate about wine and are willing to pay a premium price for high-quality products.
• They are usually well-educated and have disposable incomes.
• Wine enthusiasts are typically between the ages of 25 and 50.
• They often live in urban areas.

A customer profile for casual drinkers might look something like this:

• Casual drinkers are those who purchase wine for occasional consumption.
• They are price-sensitive and are looking for value wines.
• Casual drinkers are typically between the ages of 25-64

You can include information about how your customers make the decision to buy from you as well as what keeps them buying from you.

Develop a strategy for targeting those customers who are most likely to buy from you, as well as those that might be influenced to buy your products or vineyard services with the right marketing.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis helps you determine how your product or service will be different from competitors, and what your unique selling proposition (USP) might be that will set you apart in this industry.

For each competitor, list their strengths and weaknesses. Next, determine your areas of competitive differentiation and/or advantage; that is, in what ways are you different from and ideally better than your competitors.

Below are sample competitive advantages your vineyard business may have:

• You offer a higher quality product than your competitors.
• You have a more convenient location than your competitors.
• You have lower prices than your competitors.
• You offer better customer service than your competitors.

Once you have determined your areas of competitive advantage, you can use this information to develop strategies for marketing and selling your products

Marketing Plan

This part of the business plan is where you determine and document your marketing plan. . Your plan should be clearly laid out, including the following 4 Ps.

• Product/Service : Detail your product/service offerings here. Document their features and benefits.
• Price : Document your pricing strategy here. In addition to stating the prices for your products/services, mention how your pricing compares to your competition.
• Place : Where will your customers find you? What channels of distribution (e.g., partnerships) will you use to reach them if applicable?
• Promotion : How will you reach your target customers? For example, you may use social media, write blog posts, create an email marketing campaign, use pay-per-click advertising, launch a direct mail campaign. Or you may promote your vineyard business via a combination of these methods.

Operations Plan

This part of your vineyard business plan should include the following information:

• How will you deliver your product/service to customers? For example, will you do it in person or over the phone only?
• What infrastructure, equipment, and resources are needed to operate successfully? How can you meet those requirements within budget constraints?

The operations plan is where you also need to include your company’s business policies. You will want to establish policies related to everything from customer service to pricing, to the overall brand image you are trying to present.

Finally, and most importantly, in your Operations Plan, you will lay out the milestones your company hopes to achieve within the next five years. Create a chart that shows the key milestone(s) you hope to achieve each quarter for the next four quarters, and then each year for the following four years. Examples of milestones for a vineyard business include reaching $X in sales. Other examples include launching a new product/service, hiring new employees, and increasing market share.

Management Team

List your team members here including their names and titles, as well as their expertise and experience relevant to your specific vineyard industry. Include brief biography sketches for each team member.

Particularly if you are seeking funding, the goal of this section is to convince investors and lenders that your team has the expertise and experience to execute on your plan. If you are missing key team members, document the roles and responsibilities you plan to hire for in the future.

Financial Plan

Here you will include a summary of your complete and detailed financial plan (your full financial projections go in the Appendix). 

This includes the following three financial statements:

Income Statement

Your income statement should include:

• Revenue : how much revenue you generate.
• Cost of Goods Sold : These are your direct costs associated with generating revenue. This includes labor costs, as well as the cost of any equipment and supplies used to deliver the product/service offering.
• Net Income (or loss) : Once expenses and revenue are totaled and deducted from each other, this is the net income or loss.

Sample Income Statement for a Startup Vineyard Business

Balance sheet.

Include a balance sheet that shows your assets, liabilities, and equity. Your balance sheet should include:

• Assets : All of the things you own (including cash).
• Liabilities : This is what you owe against your company’s assets, such as accounts payable or loans.
• Equity : The worth of your business after all liabilities and assets are totaled and deducted from each other.

Sample Balance Sheet for a Startup Vineyard Business

Cash flow statement.

Include a cash flow statement showing how much cash comes in, how much cash goes out and a net cash flow for each year. The cash flow statement should include:

• Cash Flow From Operations
• Cash Flow From Investments
• Cash Flow From Financing

Below is a sample of a projected cash flow statement for a startup vineyard business.

Sample Cash Flow Statement for a Startup Vineyard Business

You will also want to include an appendix section which will include:

• Your complete financial projections
• A complete list of your company’s business policies and procedures related to the rest of the business plan (marketing, operations, etc.)
• Any other documentation which supports what you included in the body of your business plan.

Writing a good business plan gives you the advantage of being fully prepared to launch and/or grow your vineyard company. It not only outlines your business vision but also provides a step-by-step process of how you are going to accomplish it.

A well-written business plan is an essential tool for any startup vineyard. By taking the time to write a comprehensive business plan, you will be able to focus on the key elements of your business and avoid common pitfalls.  

Finish Your Vineyard Business Plan in 1 Day!