How to Launch Your Wine Career

Create and market your own wine to help launch your wine career

The leap from wine aficionado to a career in the wine industry can take years to complete. As with starting any small business, there are a lot of risks associated with starting a wine company; and a small staff and inadequate start-up capital can doom many nascent wine companies from the beginning. A love of and dedication to your product and a lot of determination can help young wine companies succeed in a competitive market.

Things You'll Need

• Wine manufacturing materials
• Telephone
• Computer with Internet access

Instructions

1. Write a business plan for your wine company. This is an important step to help you launch your career. The business plan can be modified as you go along, but it is extremely helpful in determining the amount you want to produce, the amount of money you are able and willing to invest for start-up and marketing and your marketing and distribution plans. Be as reasonable as possible when creating time lines and budgets. The more realistic these guidelines are, the greater your ability to follow them will be. Sample business plans can be found at Bplans.com.

2. Contact the alcohol and tobacco tax and trade bureau, the alcoholic beverage commission and the department of revenue in your state. These bureaus will provide you with the information relevant to licensing, registration and taxation that your business will be subject to. All states require wine companies to register with these departments before selling their products.

3. Obtain the necessary manufacturing and bottling equipment. Be sure that the equipment can produce the amount of wine that you determined you will be making. Try to follow the budget you created as closely as possible. Buy the equipment licensed manufacturers that provide warranty and service support in case of malfunctions. Some manufacturers may also give discounts to small businesses.

4. Contact local businesses, stores and restaurants and inform them about your product. Ask whether they would carry, serve or promote your wine. Avoiding contacting large chain businesses. Locally-based businesses are more likely to sell or promote your product in the way that you would like them to.

5. Market your product online by creating a website, Twitter profile or Facebook page. Online marketing is quick and free and can help keep your customers abreast of new developments, products and specials associated with your wine company, all the while generating more customers and consumer curiosity. Consider placing an online ad on a local newspaper or restaurant's website. These will be cheaper than placing a newspaper ad and are often seen by more people. Drive traffic to your website by updating it frequently with news, photos, promotions and coupons.

6. Consider using a wholesale wine distributor to help you reach a larger market. In the United States, wineries must first apply for distribution through their state-licensed distributor and then to national and local distributors. There are both benefits and drawbacks to selling through a distributor. You will be selling your product at wholesale prices and will be making less money per bottle. Your products, however, will be distributed to stores that you would not normally have access to, increasing your client base and revenue.

7. Host wine tastings, winery tours and promotional events, if possible. Offer small samples of your product to attendees. Have raffles, giveaways and entertainment at these events to increase business and consumer interest in your project.

Tips & Warnings

• The process of launching your wine career is a long one. Don't be discouraged by minor set backs. Tenacity pays off when starting any new business.

References

• Loring Wine Company; Winery 101
• BPlans.com; A Standard Business Plan Outline
• DavidHulley.com; Wine Careers Begin and End with Sweet Wine