How to Start a Wine Business? Investment, Tips & More

. 7 min read
How to Start a Wine Business? Investment, Tips & More

Are you passionate about wine and want to start a winery business? Who doesn’t enjoy a glass of delicious wine while watching the sunset? Wouldn’t it be nice to own the winery that made this wine?

When you are thinking about different business ideas, opening a wine business probably would not make it to the top of your list. But, wine is not just any beverage. It is a billion-dollar industry. Many new entrepreneurs have entered this business and have made a name for themselves. The Indian wine market is worth around $ 150 million, and growing at a CAGR above 20 percent.

However, to start a wine business you have to be both determined and passionate. Running a winery involves very hard work, with lots of time and money put in. If you are open to this challenge, we will guide you on how to start a business in wine, in this article:

Step 1: Gain knowledge about the business

You have to acquire basic knowledge about wines. The character and flavor of wine are influenced by the quality of grapes, fermentation process, and geography. Since it is a relatively new field in India, winemaking is not taught in any colleges here.  You can join a wine course at any University abroad.

Try to update your knowledge about wines by reading relevant magazines and trade publications.

Step 2: Select a location

If you want to grow grapes, you should select a place where the soil is favorable. There are five major wine-producing regions in India where you can locate your winery-they are Nashik, Bangalore, Bijapur, Hampi Hills, and Pune.

Step 3: Establish a name

Think about an effective and memorable name for your company. Make sure that it is available, and no other winery has the same name. The name you select will go hand-in-hand with your branding.

You should get a domain name registered in the same name so that you can create a website later. It will also help you in social media marketing, like on Instagram.

Step 4: Register your business

Apply for permits and choose a business entity. In addition to standard business licenses, you need to get a GST registration done. Note that the manufacturing of alcoholic drinks including wine is prohibited in the states of Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland, Mizoram, and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.

What type of vintner business you have will determine what laws and regulations applicable to your activities.

Step 5: Make a business plan

While writing a business plan, you should research the competition and the industry. Build a vision for your winery. Research all costs, from marketing costs to overheads and salaries. You should ask yourself who you would sell your wine to retailers, wholesalers, or the consumer?

Step 6: Create a business model

There are several ways you can operate a wine business. In the traditional business of wine, you buy the land, plant, harvest, and bottle the drink. This is a long and tedious process, almost like farming.  It takes five years for the grape plants to become mature. The investments that you have to make are substantial.

You can also buy a thriving winery. Though it will be more expensive, your returns on investment will be faster.

You can buy your grapes from other sources, instead of growing them. For this, you have to establish a relationship with a vineyard

You can also buy wine from other manufacturers and just sell them.

Step 7: Create a brand

Branding is an essential part of marketing. Your wine may be the best in the world, but without proper branding, no one will know. Ask yourself the reason for opening the winery. Think about the brand’s identity, mission statement, and purpose. Once you have answered all these questions, design the brand around these factors.

Step 8: Gain consumer insights

Visit stores and try to find out what type of wine is preferred in your target market.  What kind of experience do you want your consumers to have while sipping your wine? Test your wine with select customers before going to the market. All of these will help you in visualising different business ideas.

Step 9: Find a niche

The wine industry is so competitive now, it is important to find a niche to stand out from the competition. For example, fruit-flavoured wine is much in demand now among wine connoisseurs around the world. The premium segment of the market is seeing steady growth.

Step 10: Buy Equipment

You need to have a vehicle for transporting grapes and wine crates. You would also need tanks for ageing the wine and barrels to keep them. Other equipment include refrigeration, cellar, and bottling equipment.

Step 11: Investment

The cost of setting up a wine plant with a capacity of around 100,000 liters is anywhere around Rs 10-Rs 15 million. You have to construct a factory, warehouse, and tasting room. Advertising and marketing can also eat up a lot of money.

Step 12: Marketing

Advertising for alcoholic drinks is not allowed in India. You can do promotions through events and festivals, and do surrogate advertising through other products like mineral water. Network with potential clients like wine retailers, bars, and restaurants to increase clientele. Other prospects include wedding planners and hotels.

Step 13: Online retail

Enter the digital age of wine retail by starting an online wine store. Take pictures of all the wines in your warehouse and upload them on your website. You must have an effective delivery system in place.

Step 14: Use Technology to beat the competition

You can use AI to see how the thousands of compounds inside the wine interact with each other to create the wine’s flavour. Try using ancient wine techniques to create one-of-a-kind creations. Machine learning will help you to create different combinations of aroma, colour, and taste and make new varieties of wine.

Technology can also help you in determining the aeration time and the best-serving temperature.

Step 15: Some Wine Business Ideas

The wine industry is very versatile, and there are lots of profitable business ideas for you to choose from:

1. Export wine

The United States is the biggest wine market in the world. Americans love nothing better than to sip a glass of wine after a stressful day. You can export wine there, and be a part of this multi-billion dollar industry.

2. Become a wine consultant

A wine consultant is someone who conducts wine tasting for people. For this role, you must have extensive wine tasting experience. The tasting can be done privately or in groups, either in the client’s home or in a vineyard.

3. Open a wine shop

Wine shops usually operate as physical retail stores. Ordering and selling wines is a complex business. You must have good organisational and people skills. If you want to sell alcohol in India you must first get a liquor license. Selling liquor without a license can lead to serious penalties.

wine glasses next to a window and lush vineyard on the background

Winery-A tricky business

According to experts, you will be in the red for the first four years of opening a winery, and it might be a decade before you see any profits. You cannot be an absentee owner; you have to pay attention to every detail. Also, wine consumption in India is very less compared to the developed countries. So, domestic demand might be a problem.

Winery is a tough business. But the growing popularity of wine in India is generating lots of interest among big and small wine producers. We hope that this article will help you in understanding how to start a business of winemaking.

Also Read:

1) How to Start a Computer Training Institute?
2) How to Invest Money? Investment Tips for Small Businesses
3) How To Start A Car Rental Business?
4) How to Start a Coaching Institute for English Speaking Class?

Stay updated with new business ideas & business tips with OkCredit blogs in English, Hindi, Malayalam, Marathi & more!
Download OkCredit now & get rid of your bookkeeping hassles.
OkCredit is 100% Made in India.

FAQs

Q. What factor will affect the cost of my wine?

Ans. The origin of grapes and the packaging has the most impact on cost.

Q. What are custom crushing facilities?

Ans. These are businesses that will make the wine for you as per your directions, and you have to pay them for these facilities.

Q. What are the major expenses while setting up a winery?

Ans. The vast majority of your investment will go towards your winery’s infrastructure and operations.

Q. Where can I get funding for my wine business?

Ans. You can apply for debt-based small business loans from the bank. Otherwise, you can borrow money from friends or family, or go in for equity financing.

Q. What is a ‘virtual winemaker’?

Ans. It is a company that does not have a vineyard or processing facility, but contracts other growers to harvest grapes. Usually, it then makes the wine with rented equipment.