Starting your own business is never a calm walk in the park, and the wine industry is no different. You won’t be starting a successful winery on a whim. You need determination and stacks of dough to get the whole plan together.
If you have passion for wine and know this is what you want to do, then there’s no reason you shouldn’t put your best foot forward.
There’s tons to consider when heading a busy winery operation, like winery scheduling tasks, equipment acquisition and maintenance… etc. Take a moment now to read through a very simple rundown of what you’ll need to do to get your winery business off the ground.
Determine what kind of winery you want to run
You may already know that there are plenty of options on the table when choosing what sort of winery you plan to run. You need to decide what level of operation you want.
Some wineries just grow grapes and produce wine. Some grow, produce, and host guests for tasting on the property. Some places choose to outsource their grapes. Decide what your end goal looks like before you begin.
Scout out a location for your winery
If you plan to grow your own grapes, you’ll need a pretty specific plot of dirt in the right climate to support your winery. If you order your grapes from a farm, you’ll open up a lot more options for the land you choose.
Take your scouting venture seriously, and make sure you look at several different land options before making your final choice. The land is your foundation for your winery, and it’s a crucial part of your overall success.
Put together a compelling business plan
You’re going to need money to prepare the various elements of your winery for functionality. You can’t get a serious loan option without a well thought out business plan.
Take the time to be detailed, and lay out the hows and whats of the winery you want to create. Ask other winemakers how they set up their operation to get a better idea of what you’ll need as you plan.
Handle all the licenses and permits
Making wine for resale is a heavily regulated line of business. The time you will need for licensing and permits may be extensive. Start early.
You don’t want to miss any steps in this area, as they will come back to haunt you in the future. Get a lawyer who specializes in the industry to help you navigate the waters, if you find the task to be a bit overwhelming.
Work on funding your new business
Now that you’ve taken the time to craft a well-rounded business plan, you can take what you have to the lenders. You’ll need money for equipment, land, and product, for starters.
