Wineries for Sale

Not many wine enthusiasts know they can take their love for wine to the next level. Buying and running a winery can be a profitable and enjoyable activity if done right. Beer breweries may be a tad bit easier than running a winery, but all’s not lost. Wine lovers need to put in a little more time and effort into this endeavor.

Winery or Vineyard?

The first thing one should know is a winery is not the same as a vineyard. A vineyard essentially is an agricultural piece of land where grapes are cultivated. Wineries are where the grapes collected from the vineyards are processed to make wine. The most commonly adopted process in most wineries is:

·       To crush the grapes

·       Bottle them

·       Store them in temperature and climatic controller environments to allow them to mature or age

Depending on the type and vintage of wine hoped to be achieved by the winemaker, the storage duration will differ.

Needless to say, there are innumerable examples of vineyards that come with their own wineries. Undoubtedly, this is the best arrangement for the owner of both. The movement of the raw ingredient from source to processing plant is short, quick, and hassle-free. There are no middlemen required to ensure the grapes are gather and delivered to the winery without any damages. Many tourists and wine lovers enjoy marveling at picturesque vineyards while they savor its produce.

The other option is to buy just the processing and storing plant – the winery. This would of course necessitate having a continuous, working arrangement with a vineyard to make the wine. This is a good option for those who are only interested or knowledgeable about making the wine and not about cultivating grape plants. This is also the way to go if you have limited funds.

Choosing to buy a winery with or without a vineyard is the foremost decision on has to make before looking at the next steps in the process.

Where to Buy Wineries?

 

In the US, the favorite wine destinations are naturally the best places to buy wineries. Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Willamette Valley, and of late Malibu are some of the best examples. Wineries located in other regions tend to be those where some amount of cultivation of grapes is done locally. Quick access to grapes in top condition is important to make the perfect wine.

If you don’t know how to go about buying a winery directly, it would be best to contact established companies to do so for you. Just like real estate agents for house or commercial properties, these agencies help with buying wineries. They focus on places where wineries are most commonly found, and have expert knowledge about which establishment produces what kinds of wines, its brand value, equipment inventory, etc.

Depending on what kind of arrangement you prefer and your budget, winery agents will offer you a selection of establishments to choose from. Although not an entirely easy task, it is not impossible to find wineries themselves for sale minus vineyards. Many wineries opt to sell to bigger brand names but for a good price, you can be a winery owner too.

What to Look For While Buying a Winery?

1.     Seating Capacity – A good winery Is not like a regular bar with a a large number of table and chairs. A modest capacity seating area makes for the best atmosphere in a winery. If the entire winery is well maintained, then the barrels and machinery in the processing room will only add charm to the entire operation.

2.     Tasting room – A tasting room acts like a preview to the seating room. It’s also often where the winery owner can be found. It is the heart of the winery where the craftsman can offer samples of his creations to his customers. Most people tend to seek suggestions, so they can sample the best that the house to offer. And what better way can there be for a winery owner to interact with his customers than in the tasting room? Look out for a good, presentable, cozy tasting room in your shortlisted wineries.

3.     Storage – Storing the crushed and barreled or bottled wine is a crucial part of the process. Ensure the winery has a hygienic storage area with the necessary equipment. There should be sufficient place to keep the storage containers, and the conditions in which they are maintained should be controllable too.

4.     Brand value, Established Winery – A winery with some positive history is better than one that has none. The better the reputation, better are your chances of gaining a quicker return on investment. And reputed wine brands excites even the mildest of wine snobs. Unlike craft beer, for example, where the new and funky attract attention, wine lovers prefer expert, seasoned wine makers.

5.     Equipment – A crush pad, for example is one of the most basic equipment a winery will require to operate. This is in addition to the other equipment needed to store the freshly crushed wine.

After you purchase your new winery, make sure you consider the best winery insurance policy to keep you and your assets protected.