This complete winery guide will cover everything you need to open, operate, and enjoy wineries. Whether you’re looking to start your own winery, work at a winery, or find some great wineries to visit, we’ve got you covered. From learning about types of online businesses for wine sales to discovering the best winery marketing tactics, we’ll cover every facet of owning a winery. To start, we’ll dive into the winery definition to get acquainted.
What Is a Winery? 5 Details of Winery Business and Growth
The first step of getting into the winery business is learning the definition of winery businesses. Whatever your interest is in wineries, there are some facts you should know.
What Is a Winery Owner Called?
A winery owner can go by many names depending on skills and experience. The following terms are several typical winery owner names:
- Winemaker
- Vintner
- Vigneron
- Négociant
- Viticulturist
A winery owner could be any of these individuals. The most common winery owners are winemakers or vintners. Of course, a sommelier could also be a winery owner with the right training and experience.
What Is a Vineyard?
A vineyard is where grapes are grown for wine. Vineyards are often also grouped in with wineries, as the two often go hand in hand. We’ll take a closer look at the differences between vineyards and wineries.
What Is the Difference Between a Winery and a Vineyard?
Wineries are specifically a place where wine is made, and where tastings and other events take place. A vineyard is purely a place where grapes are grown. That said, vineyards are often on the same property as wineries. The two wine terms will always be linked.
Winery Hours
Winery hours for tastings often start around 11am and go into the mid-afternoon. Winery events, from concerts to game nights to happy hour, are generally held in the late afternoon and evening. Wineries can also host weddings, birthdays, and other parties throughout the day.
How to Work at a Winery
Winery jobs can be found on job boards and career websites. You can also find work by reaching out to wineries directly. You’ll often find opportunities you wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. If you’re starting a wine business, posting on sites and being accessible through your website will help you find employees.
How to Start a Wine Business?: 10 Key Winery Plans
One of the key parts of starting a wine business is creating a winery business plan. We’ll walk you through the process of a standard or restaurant business plan, and the specifics of a winery business plan.
Business Plan Needs
First, we’ll cover everything a standard business plan needs, 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
- An analysis of financial plans
- An investment proposal
- Milestone plans
Your winery business plan needs all those sections, curated towards winery work. Of course, there are specific winery business plan details to include as well.
10 Winery Business Plan Needs
The winery-specific business plan needs are all about planning each step of your winery business. These 10 components are vital to making your winery successful.
10. Finding a Winery Location
9. Choosing Bottle Design
8. Reviewing Climate Needs
7. Grape Selection
6. Wine Cellar Needs
5. Alcohol Laws
4. Selecting Winery Equipment
3. Estimating Costs
2. Distributor Marketing Plans (and Supply Chain Management)
1. Winery-Specific Marketing
How to Start a Wine Business: Get Growing!
Now that you’ve written up your business plan, the real work begins. One of the next steps is buying a winery, as you can’t do much else until you have a location locked down.
Buying a Winery: 10 Ideas for Buying a Winery
Buying a winery is one of the most concrete, important steps of starting a winery business. We’ll take a look at finances and the best places you should look into for your winery location.
How Much Does It Cost to Buy a Winery?
A winery's total startup cost can range from $600,000 to $3 million. That may seem like a lot, but investing in your winery from the start will pay dividends in the years to come.
10 Best Places to Buy a Winery
There are a lot of factors to consider in deciding where you want to buy a winery. These 10 spots cover the range of great winery weather conditions, soil conditions, and overall wine culture.
10. Monterey, CA
9. Walla Walla Valley, OR
8. Finger Lakes, NY
7. Napa Valley, CA
6. Wallingford, CT
5. Umpqua Valley, OR
4. Sonoma County, CA
3. Newport County, RI
2. Willamette Valley, OR
1. Santa Barbara, CA
Buying a Winery: The Cost of Good Wine
Once you’ve bought your winery spot, it’s time to dive into the rest of the winery business process. How to open a winery is something you’ll need to know in-depth to prepare for opening your winery doors.
How to Open a Winery: 3 Key Steps to the Wine Business
There are many steps involved in starting a winery. In this section, we’ll walk you through some of the very first steps, and basic lists and figures you should know.
Starting a Winery
Your options on how to start a winery include:
- Starting from the ground up with a new site
- Buying and recycling an old piece of property
- Purchasing and revamping an existing winery
Of those options, the third may be the easiest. If you want to go through the entire process, the first two are great choices.
What Equipment Do I Need to Start a Winery?
The most crucial equipment you’ll need to start a winery is winemaking equipment. For the winemaking process, the basics you’ll need are:
- Bag in box supplies
- Automatic bottle washers
- Bottle washer drain tables
- Bottle washer tray growlers
- Cleaning station key and carboy
- Sinks
- Chillers
- Winemaking systems
- Wine presses and destemmers
- Stainless steel fustis
- Filters
- Winemaking accessories
- Corker
- Capper
- Bottle filler
- Heat shrink tunnel
- Aerator equipment
- Labeler
- Stainless steel tanks
- Tank accessories
- Pumps
- Airlocks
- Taps
These items and more will make up a large portion of your winery budget. Rest assured, however, it’ll be well worth it to buy the best you can get.
How to Open a Winery: Time for a Tasting
You’re now more prepared to open up your own winery. However, there is something else you really need to consider: hiring the right people for the jobs.
Working at a Winery: 3 Facts from Winery Cellar Hand to Winemaker or Manager
There are several jobs to consider for winery work. From winemaker to viticulturist to winery cellar hand, it’s time to take a look at the career options available in the winery business.
Winemaker Definition
A winemaker is someone with a lot of passion, knowledge, and experience with wine. They may have a degree in viticulture–the study and production of grapes and grape vines. They could also have a degree in oenology, which is the science and study of wine and winemaking. A winemaker could even be someone who took sommelier classes, or another wine expert.
Viticulturist Definition
A viticulturist has an educational background in grapes, vines, and the process of turning wine grapes into the best possible wine. The viticulturist and the winemaker can both fulfill the manager role at a winery.
Winery Cellar Worker
The winery cellar worker job is the starting point and backbone of a winery. Also known as a winery cellar hand, this job is fundamental to winery success. The specific duties and responsibilities can vary, ultimately the winery cellar hand is responsible for supporting the entire winery.
Working At a Winery: Gloves and Grapes
All these winery jobs are critical to the ongoing success of a winery. As we dive into some of the best wineries, you can imagine the dedication of the winery workers at these spots.
The Best US Wineries: 25 Unique, Picturesque Wineries to Visit in America
Though there are amazing wineries across the globe, we can’t ignore the exceptional wine spaces spanning the US. These 25 unique locations across the states show the diversity of US wine.
25. Scribe Winery in Sonoma County, CA
24. Beneduce Vineyards in Pittstown, NJ
23. Arrigoni Winery & Cider Co. in Portland, CT
22. Alta Colina in Paso Robles, CA
20. Sawtooth Winery in Snake River Valley, ID
19. Chateau St. Jean in Sonoma Valley, CA
18. Augusta Winery in August, MO
17. Croteaux Vineyards in Southold, NY
16. Round Barn Estate in Baroda, MI
15. Eberle Winery in Paso Robles, CA
14. Folktale Winery in Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA
13. King Family Vineyards in Charlottesville, VA
12. Jacuzzi Family Vineyards in Sonoma Valley, CA
11. CASS Vineyard & Winery in Paso Robles, CA
10. Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley, CA
9. Sokol Blosser in Dayton, OR
8. Kramer Vineyards in Gaston, OR
7. Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery in Hammondsport, NY
6. L’Ecole No 41 in Lowden, WA
5. Duckhorn Vineyards in Napa Valley, CA
4. Colterris Winery in Palisade, CO
3. Tank Garage Winery in Calistoga, CA
2. Wölffer Estate in Sagaponack, NY
1. Hendry Ranch Wines in Napa, CA
US Wineries: Which Wines Will You Visit?
Any of these US spots make for a great tasting or weekend adventure. Of course, we can’t discount the marvel of worldwide wineries. In fact, there are even more wineries within the US that deserve attention as well.
The Best Wineries: 20 Unique, Beautiful Wine Spots to Visit
From Napa to Naples, Italy, there are unique wineries across the world. We touched on US wineries specifically a moment ago. Now, we’ll appreciate the wineries you can find in the US and beyond.
The Best Wineries in Napa
A list of great wineries wouldn’t be complete without Napa Valley. These two are some of the best Napa treasures.
- Chateau Montelena
- Charles Krug Winery
The Best Wineries in Sonoma
Sonoma is right up there with Napa in terms of great California wines. These two options showcase the qualities of Sonoma wines.
- Rodney Strong Vineyards
- Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery
The Best Wineries in Willamette Valley
For years, Oregon has been showing up as a great wine destination. Some of the best wines there are from Willamette Valley, and these wineries.
- King Estate Winery
- Winderlea Vineyard and Winery
The Best Wineries in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara has been making a name for itself among the wine spots covering California. These two wineries show just what Santa Barbara can do for the wine world.
- Alma Rosa
- Foley Estates
The Best Wineries in NY
Of course, we can’t leave New York off this list. These wineries show the unique personality that comes with an East Coast wine.
- Benmarl Winery
- Whitecliff Vineyard and Winery
The Best Wineries Worldwide
Of course, those are just a few of the best wineries in the US. Now it’s time to check out some worldwide wine gems.
The Best Wineries in Italy
The red wines that come out of Italy have shaped the wine world through the years. These two spots are some of the best hidden gems in Italy.
- Possessioni Serego Alighieri
- Marchesi di Barolo
The Best Wineries in France
French wine is, according to many wine lovers, better than the rest. If you’re not a believer, wine from these spots will turn you into one.
- Château de l’Engarran
- Cos d’Estournel
The Best Wineries in Australia
Australian wines represent the unique, zany taste of this one-of-a-kind place. These wineries represent the best of Australian wine.
- Penfolds
- Paringa Estate
The Best Wineries in Portugal
From Port to white wine, Portugal is the birthplace of many of the best wines. These wineries are responsible for making some truly unique Portuguese wines.
- Regional de Colares Winery
- Burmester
The Best Wineries in Germany
If you aren’t generally a fan of Riesling, you should try a German Riesling. These wineries should be on your wine bucket list for traveling the world.
- Scharzhofberg
- Bacharacher Posten
The Best Wineries: Pack Your Bags
The best wineries cover the globe. Whether you’re traveling or you live in one of these spots, these wineries are worth visiting for a tasting. Some are even perfect for weddings.
Winery Wedding Definition: 5 Steps to Unique Nuptials
Of all the events to have at a winery, weddings are some of the best. There are wineries that tie their brands specifically to weddings. These five best winery wedding venues are curated to create your special day.
5. New Kent Winery’s Vineyard Estate in New Kent County, VA
4. Sassafras Springs Vineyard in Springdale, AR
3. Juniata Valley Winery in Mifflin, PA
2. BARRA of Mendocino Winery in Redwood Valley, CA
1. Eola Hills Wine Cellars in Rickreall, OR
What to Wear to a Winery Wedding
A winery wedding, like any other wedding, will typically have a dress code specified on the RSVP. If not, you can dress to match the aesthetic of the winery itself.
Winery Wedding Invitations
For the most part, wedding invitations are straightforward. The basic information they need is:
- The names of the couple
- The time and date
- Location
- Dress code specifications
- Any specifications outside of the norm
- An RSVP response space or link
Beyond that, the rest of the invitation is entirely up to you. You can create wine images, use your favorite script, or even include a winery tasting sheet as part of the design.
Winery Wedding Menus
When it comes to winery wedding menus, a great option is to choose foods that pair well with the wines served. You can work with the winery on this step, to ensure a well-suited menu selection.
Winery Wedding Definition: Wine’s the Big Day?
There’s plenty of work that goes into a winery wedding, just like any other wedding. That said, it’s well worth it to have a stunning day among the vines. If you want something truly special for your big day, choosing a winery that crafts some exceptionally unique wines is a great option.
Different Varieties of Wine: Guide to Bold Types of Wineries and Wine
There are so many types of wine you can choose from to produce at your winery. However, what about the wines no one else is making? The wines you cook up with chemistry and imagination? Let’s take a look at those extremely unique wine names.
5 Unique Wine Varieties
These five unique wine varieties are created by true artisan winemakers. Everything on this list is more unique than any rare wine varietal.
5. Rose Wine
4. Gik Blue Wine
3. Jalapeño Wine
2. Coffee-Infused Wine
1. Meteorite Wine
5 Unique Wineries
Of course, there are unique wines, and then there are unique wineries. These five spots make great wine, but they’re also special in their own winery ways.
5. Bodegas El Grifo on the island of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands
4. Vegas Valley Winery in Henderson, NV
3. Edivo Vina Winery on the Pelješac peninsula in Croatia
2. Birthday Cake Vineyards
1. Chillon Castle Winery on Lake Geneva near Veytaux, Switzerland
Different Varieties of Wine: Vine Varieties
All these amazing wines are created in their own ways, in their own spaces. If you’re looking to craft something truly unique, you should get acquainted with the growth of wine grapes, and the wine production process.
Wine Country Weather: 6 Facts on The Best Climate for Growing Wine Grapes
Learning about how climate can affect wine grapes and wine is on the more technical side of learning about wine. Even if you’re not the winemaker, understanding how climate can affect your wines will help you be in tune with the winemaking process.
Climate Change Wine Country Information
For anyone interested in getting into winemaking, there’s one thing you can’t get around: climate change. The world of winemaking has shifted drastically as the effects of climate change have worsened. We’re making this point first, not to scare you off from winemaking, but to make sure you know the current climate.
In recent years wildfires have decimated wineries and vineyards. The wine community needs to be prepared for more potential disasters. From fires to droughts to flash floods, vineyards are in for a rough time.
Climate Control Systems for Wine Cellars
You can’t control the climate outside, but you can control your wine storage space with climate control systems. From cellar-sized models to at-home variations for wine connoisseurs, climate control wine storage systems are a must.
Napa Valley Climate Wine
Napa Valley is settled between the Pacific Ocean and a lot of mountains. This air quality creates the perfect Mediterranean climate, which is the best wine climate type for most wines.
Best Wine Grapes to Grow in Hot Climates
For general warm climates, some varieties that do really well are Zinfandel, Grenache, and Shiraz. Those are some rather rare wines, but if you’re in the right spot, you can really create something special.
For hot, dry climates, some of the best grapes to grow are Zinfandel, Golden Muscat, Malbec, Syrah, Tempranillo, Barbera, and Sangiovese. These wines are even rarer, and when you find or produce a good one, you’ve truly got something amazing.
Best Soil for Growing Grapes for Wine
The best soil for growing grapes for wine are sandy loam, clay loam, and silt loam. Loam is a mix of clay, silt, and sand. It also has some organic material known as humus (formed by decomposed leaves and other materials) mixed in. All these variations are great for nutrient-packing and drainage.
Wine Country Weather: Rolling With The Weather
When it comes to finding your winery location and planning for climate, there’s only so much that’s within your control. One thing you can focus on is purchasing and growing the best grape vines for your location.
Grape Vines: 6 Steps to Purchasing, Planting, and Growing Grapes
Purchasing and growing grape vines is one of the true starts of your winemaking process. In the next few sections, you’ll learn the basic process of buying grape vines and planting and cultivating them for wine success.
Grape Vines for Sale: Buying Grape Vines
You can buy and ship grape vines, but it is definitely easier to pick them up nearby. If you’re opening a winery in a popular wine region, you’ll be able to find just about anything you need somewhere close by.
How to Plant a Grape Vine
The following list is a guide first steps of planting grape vines:
- Soak your vines, specifically soak the roots, in water before planting.
- Plant your vines immediately.
- Plant your vines in early spring.
- Make the holes for your vines a few inches deeper than the longest roots.
- Evenly spread the roots out as you plant.
- Avoid using fertilizer at first.
- Set up a trellis system for growth support.
- Consider using grow tubes to protect the vines when they’re still new.
Once you’ve planted your vines, that’s when the real work begins. Planting may be an adventure, but the care and cultivation of your vines is even more a part of building your winery.
How to Prune Grape Vines
The process of pruning has several steps, including:
- Reducing the shoots from many down to one (with three buds).
- Pruning and shaping as new shoots grow.
- Repeating this process, specifically with the support of the shoots on the stakes to keep it growing without breaking.
- Removing any shoots that grow from the base of the trunk.
Once your vines are stable, your pruning needs will change. For mature vines, the process includes:
- Pruning twice a year. Once in the winter and again in the spring or early summer to tidy the vines.
- Reducing buds even further. Heavy pruning will provide you with the best grapes for wine. 20 to 30 buds on each vine is recommended.
As you get more practiced, you may find other habits that work well. However, the general process should always remain the same.
Growing Grape Vines
With those habits, you’ll be able to develop great wine from your grape vines. Of course, it takes seasons to see growth, but luckily others have come before you to work out the kinks. While your vines grow, it’s a great time to focus on your marketing and sales plans.
Wine Marketing: 16 Steps to Vine Growth and Marketing Success
Wine marketing has many similarities to restaurant marketing strategies, eCommerce marketing, and wholesale marketing. That said, there are things you can do to make your winery marketing wine-specific and unique. These 16 ideas will be familiar in some ways, and utterly new in others.
16. Gain Influence on Social Media
15. Gift with Giveaways
14. Make It Virtual
13. Follow Through from Vine to Wine Shelf
12. Wine Raffle
11. Family Fun Days
10. Wine and Paint Night
9. Vintage Sale
8. Strive for Sustainability
7. Wine Blog
6. Build Your Brand
5. Wine Tasting Kits and Wine Aroma Kits
4. Understanding Ingredients
3. eCommerce Email Marketing for Wineries
2. Bottle Label Galleries
1. Work with Your Website
Wine Marketing: Ads and Aubin Blanc
Finding your marketing stride will take time and some trial runs. While you’re at it, you can combine marketing tactics with sales techniques, to find the best combination for your winery.
Wine Sales: 2 Facets of The Best Supply for Demand
Selling your wine is just as important as the wine production process. There are two facets of wine sales you need to learn about: wine sellers and wine distributors (including wholesale alcohol distributors). We’ll cover both of them.
Wine Sellers
As a winery owner, you are the main wine seller. You may hire salespeople, but ultimately the responsibility of getting your wine out there starts with you. You’ll probably want some wine-specific industry support to help with online wine sales and finding the best buyers. That’s where wine distributors come into the mix.
Wine Distributors
A wine distributor is a marketer, salesperson, and overall wine expert, all in one. You can hire an in-house distributor, or outsource through a company. You can even search for food distribution companies as well, to help with winery food servings. The following 10 companies are all great options throughout the US and beyond.
10. Wine Warehouse
9. Martignetti Companies
8. Opici Family Distributing
7. Heidelberg Distributing Co.
6. RNDC/Young’s Market Co.
5. Breakthru Beverage Group
4. Empire Distributors
3. Johnson Brothers
2. Winebow Group
1. Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits
Wine Sales: The Sale Is On
You won’t need to start selling until you’ve got a few hundred bottles ready to go. However, it’s never a bad time to prepare for the work of sales and marketing. It’s also a good idea to prepare yourself for the world of wine shipping laws.
Direct to Consumer Wine Shipping Laws: 5 Rules and Regulations
Learning the rules and regulations around shipping wine is an integral part of keeping your winery open and running smoothly. They’re not rules you want to mess around with.
Those laws include direct to consumer (D2C) wine shipping laws. Overall, you’ll want to put in a lot of work and understanding into the laws and regulations around distributing alcohol. It goes beyond a shipping cost estimator, you’ll want to be completely immersed in every rule there is about shipping alcohol.
US Wine Laws
The US wineries' regulations cover a range from wine label laws to shipping laws. When it comes to your wine labels, there’s some information you’re required to include:
- Your brand name
- The wine type
- Alcohol content percentage
- The bottle volume (or wine bottle sizes)
- Sulfite content
- The producer’s name and address
That information provides wholesalers and buyers with the facts they need to know about where the wine is coming from. It also tells them what to expect in the bottle.
Wine Distribution Laws by State
When it comes to how to ship alcohol and how to ship wine specifically, there are entire websites devoted to the specific laws each state has in place. It’s a lot more complicated than learning how to ship a package.
We aren't legal experts, and we don’t offer legal advice at BinWise, so we recommend you go to official sources. Before you start selling and shipping wine, check out your state’s or country’s laws and regulations on alcohol sales and distribution. It’ll pay off to learn about potential shipping issues, any needs for flat rate shipping, shipping policy specifications, and even eCommerce shipping and eCommerce packaging.
Wine Shipping Laws: By Bottle or Barrel
Wine shipping laws can be convoluted at times. However, it’s worth it to take the time to understand them. Not only will you avoid legal hassles, but you’ll also gain a deeper understanding of the world of wine. You’ll also become versed in shipping practices, and maybe even buy your own shipping label printer to have your own packing slip prep on hand.
Winery Design: 10 Best Key Ideas Guide
We’ve covered a lot of business plan-related topics in this guide so far. Now it’s time to really get into the fun parts of opening a winery. We’ll start with the winery design. To get you started on your winery design plans, we’ve gathered 10 design ideas that will be helpful no matter your design goals.
10. Find Your Colors
9. Create Spaces
8. Consider Your Architecture
7. Let Wine Inspire
6. Invest in Wine Storage
5. Utilize Everything
4. Keep it Light
3. Find a Theme
2. Aesthetics and Organization
1. Keep Growing
Winery Design: Decant Your Design
All these ideas tie into a great design that suits your winery and brings in wine-loving crowds. Of course, while your winery design should be visually appealing, it also needs to be practical, to make room for your wine storage.
Wine Storage Ideas: 4 Favorite Storage Ideas and Solutions
When it comes to planning for your wine storage, you need to consider:
- Visual design
- Ideal temperatures
- Safety for wine bottles
- Adequate storage space
Those factors will help you find the right storage solutions for your winery. They’ll also help you organize your winery from the cellar to the tasting room.
Wine Glass Storage
The two best options for wine glass storage are a high sturdy shelf or a low, sturdy shelf that is unlikely to be bumped. In either option, the key factor is safety for the glasses, to avoid broken glass.
Bar with Wine Storage
A bar is an opportunity for extra wine storage that is both on hand and tucked out of view. In a tasting room bar, you can display bottles and keep extras stored away for sales. If you have a full bar, you can build it to suit whatever wine storage you need. It all depends on your bar layout.
Wine Storage Ideas
One of the best wine storage ideas when it comes to shelving is a lattice wine rack. Lattice wine racks are built to hold a large number of wine bottles in a very secure way. Similar to storing wine glasses in a stable area, a lattice wine rack gives you stability with your bottles within a visually pleasing setup.
Wine Cellar Ideas
Your wine cellar can serve as both a place for large-scale wine storage and wine production. If you’re offering cellar tours you should make the storage as aesthetically pleasing as possible. If not, you can focus fully on maximizing the use of this space.
Wine Storage Ideas: Stock Your Shelving
With your winery design and wine storage set up, you’re close to being ready to open the doors. There is, however, one facet of design that is vital to a great winery: your tasting room.
10 Unique Wine Tasting Room Ideas: Wine Tasting Sheet to Amazing Room Design
Each facet of your winery tasting room, from the wine tasting sheet to the overall room design, is an extension of your winery. It’s the place to pour your winery’s personality and your love of wine into a place for guests. It's where guests visiting your winery can become fully immersed in the spirit of your winery.
Wine Tasting Sheet: Start Simple
The simplest place to start your tasting room design is the wine tasting sheet. A wine tasting sheet is a piece of paper where guests can mark down notes on the wines in the tasting. It can be plain, but it can also be a space for your creativity to run wild and showcase what makes your winery special.
Wine Tasting Room Furniture
Your winery tasting room furniture should be centered around functionality for your guests. Whether you want cozy couches or sparse seating, your furniture should be a part of the feeling you want guests to experience.
10 Wine Tasting Room Ideas
A tasting room gives you a lot of space to exercise your design skills. You can pull from design tips mentioned earlier in this complete winery guide. If you’re looking for more, these 10 tips are designed specifically to impress any tasting room guests and get them coming back for more.
10. False Picture Windows
9. Built-In Wine Racks
8. Watercolors with Wine
7. Vine Designs
6. Wine Barrel Tables
5. Wine Bottle Decorations
4. Space Within a Space
3. Wine Bottle Lighting
2. Wine Wall
1. Wine Wheel
Winery Tasting Room Supplies
Beyond design needs, you’ll also need to stock your tasting room. Some of the basics you should have on hand are:
- Seating
- Wine glasses
- Plastic cups
- Tasting tools (like a wine aerator)
- A podium or table
- Wine tasting sheets
You’ll also discover supplies along the way that suit your winery and make your tasting room even more inviting.
Beyond the design aspects, there are a few more steps you’ll need to take for your winery plan. These next sections of your complete winery guide will cover management systems and calculations for running a successful winery. These aren’t as delightful to work with as design, but they are vital to your success.
Winery Accounting Software: 2022 Management Systems and Solutions
When it comes to running a winery, one of the unsung heroes is winery management systems. Management systems can help you with everything from accounting to sales to marketing. They cover hospitality software, warehouse management system needs, and even eCommerce software work. When you find the right management system for your winery, you free up so much time to focus on your wine business.
8 Best Winery Management Software Programs
There are a great many winery management software programs available on the market. It can be hard to narrow it down because so many of them provide exemplary service. We’ve done the work for you, and found eight of the best winery management software programs. These programs can help with every aspect of running a winery.
8. Vintrace
7. WineDirect
6. VineSpring
5. Vines OS
4. Vintnerly
3. InnoVint
2. Ekos
1. 360Winery
Winery Accounting Software: Account for Everything
These software programs will carry you forward as you open your winery. However, there are still some calculations and plans you’ll want to be intimately involved with.
Wine Business Calculator: 5 Steps to Growth and Profit Through Balance
When you search for wine business calculators, you’ll find many options. This is because there is a lot that needs to be calculated in a winery business. There isn’t one calculation that covers every aspect of a winery, so we’ve gathered five of the best to help you along.
5. Land Quantity Calculator
A land quantity calculator determines how much land you need to produce the wine you’re going to sell. The calculation also needs to include the land you’ll need for the winery building and any other event spaces.
It starts with finding your ideal bottle count. That calculation looks like this:
# of Grapes per Bottle x # of Grapes per Vine = # of Bottles Needed
With that, you’ll have the vine count you need, and from there you can map out the spacing for planting those vines.
4. Tasting Room Capacity Calculator
Your tasting room capacity calculator is all about seating space and room dimensions. This will be based in part on the zone coding of your winery building. You’ll need to know how many people you want to host and can host according to state and local codes. The items you’ll need to count are:
- Glasses
- Chairs
- Tasting sheets and pencils
- Free gifts and souvenirs
The calculation for this count will be:
$/Glassware + $/Chairs + $/Tasting Sheets and Pencils + $/Gifts and Souvenirs = Total Cost of Tasting Room Needs
3. Wine Bottling Calculator
When it comes to production, your wine bottling calculator is one of the most important factors in planning your production count. The calculation is:
# of Grapes / # of Grapes per Bottle = # of Bottles You Need
Your exact quantities will depend on the size of your vineyard. Once you have that first number, you’ll be able to order more bottles as needed. Finding that first, total vineyard need is the first step to starting your bottling line. From there this general count can help with wine inventory as well.
2. Winemaking Calculator
When you search for a wine business calculator, the top search results are winemaking calculators. These calculators allow you to balance the creation of wine itself. Our top recommendation is a fortification calculation. The fortification calculation includes:
The Final Desired Alcohol Content (%) + Initial Volume of Must (L) + Alcohol Content of Fortifying Material (%) + Desired Baumé after Fortification (°Bé) + Initial Baumé of Must (°Bé) = Full Count of Fortification Process
1. Budget Calculator
For a budget calculator, your main need is an actual calculator and a list of supplies and equipment. Your general list will include startup costs, ongoing costs, and overhead expenses.
Some budget items to include are:
- Bottling supplies
- Wine production needs
- Tasting room furniture and supplies (like the best wine aerator options)
- Utilities for the building
- Taxes and permits
After you have it down pat you can move to an inventory app or wine tracker to keep everything in order.
Complete Winery Guide: Balancing Your Wine Book and Getting Started
These calculations will help you as you dive headfirst into your winery business. They and everything else in this complete winery guide will guide you along the way. Of course, there’s always more to learn, like “What is a wine decanter?” and other wine-enjoyment factors, but with this collection of tips and tricks, you’re well on your way.