Setting up a wine company
What we do today is opt for business ideas that allow us to undertake and create our own source of income, and why not combine this with fruit growing and horticulture? Without a doubt this is one of the most dreamed of sectors in which many people wish to start up and run their own wine business.
The businesses that are producing here
Although it may seem like one of the most complex business ideas, the truth is that it is not, but you should be aware of every step, the regulations in your country and the whole process to minimize investment risks.
Let’s see how to get started:
Determine the activity of the business
If we are going to start with the creation of a vineyard, this does not necessarily imply that we will be the ones who will sell our product to the client, since we also have the option of dedicating ourselves exclusively to the elaboration, for volume distribution to the warehouses that serve people directly. This will allow us to focus on this activity to make the best product and leave the sale to an intermediary.
However, it is clear that we can also open our own sales premises to the public, where we will sell our product, but it is advisable to do so later, when the product has been on the market for some time and we have brought out more presentations or flavours. But this is not required, you can start as you prefer according to the course of your activity.
Learn about viticulture and the legal process
Before starting, it is essential that you take the first step by training yourself and learning about the entire viticultural system. This will allow you to be advised and aware of the subject from now on, even if you do not want to be part of the procedure, because an entrepreneur must know every department of his business to make it successful.
Permits and Licenses: In addition to understanding the process of this activity, it is also extremely necessary that you make sure you know everything about permits and legal procedures that you need to carry out to get the vineyard up and running. To do so, you must approach the entity in charge of your city and there you will obtain all this information that will be essential in your activity.
Choose the location of the vineyard
For the location of the vineyards, these are established according to the area that presents the best conditions for the production of the grape, so often these are areas that have warm territories where the winter is not strong or presents late frosts, and the possibilities of frost are very few during the spring season. Although we can find grapes for almost any type of climate, it is the grapes produced under the following conditions that are preferred for winemaking: Remember to determine the type of grape you are going to grow.
Conditions: Ideally, the grapes should be able to receive direct sun, which means very little shade for them while they’re growing. As far as temperature is concerned, it is suggested that the region be between 21°C during the daytime hours and between 15°C or 16°C during the nighttime hours. It is also recommended to use grafted vines on rhizomes that are much more resistant to phylloxera that deteriorates the roots of the vines.
Make a business plan for our wine company
Before starting with the elaboration and adaptation for the vineyard, it is time to make a business plan that allows us, among other things, to obtain data on the initial investment to finance the business. To do this, we will have to start by quoting the following aspects:
Initial financing: At least in the first two years, it is possible that the profits will not be very high, as we are just beginning, so it will be necessary to have capital to cover not only the operating expenses of this type, but also our own, if at the moment we do not have another source of income.
Space for the vineyard: According to the place, prices per hectare can be extremely variable, so it will be necessary to ensure a fixed space for production, guaranteeing stability at least during the first 12 months of operation and production of the vineyard.
Conditioning of the place: This part includes from the tools for the adaptation for each one of the vines, to the pesticides, meshes and other elements that we have to use in the process, like the trellises, the vines, articles of harvest, wood, etc.
Operating personnel: Although we want to start a business on our own, the truth is that a project like this requires more people from the moment it is created. The production stage is one of the most important and must have more attention, so we will need at least one or two more people.
Build the vineyard
There should be at least 6 feet of space between the rows of vines and about 3 feet between each plant individually
This is because of its vulnerability to fungi and microorganisms, we must also leave enough space to avoid the production of shade, allowing the direct sun to pass through. If you are in a climate that exceeds 30°C, it is advisable to plant the vineyard on slopes towards the north to avoid high levels of heat, while if it is less, we can plant it on a downhill slope towards the south.
To begin with, we suggest around 9 kg of fruit that will allow us to obtain 4 litres, although although this is a general figure, we must bear in mind that according to the type of grape chosen, it will be able to produce a different amount.
Procedure: Start by making holes to place each of the vines, which should be 10 to 15 cm deep and 15 to 20 cm in diameter. This is the ideal space for the roots to grow naturally and much more comfortably.
The vines should have a support before you start planting them, which will facilitate their growth and support their weight, because in many cases this is so much that they can break in the process. To do this, make trellises of wires or simple fences. You can also buy them in gardening stores, for example.
Once you have done the above, it is time to start planting the vines, for which we recommend that you have previously finished the cold season. In addition to the trellises, you can also place training posts to which the vines are tied for individual growth and directed towards the trellis we have already placed.
It is necessary to place nets on and around the vineyard to avoid the entrance of birds, gophers, deer, rabbits that can affect the vines, as well as insects and much larger pests to which this type of crop is very vulnerable. Consult an expert to prepare your space and avoid attacks.
Now all you have to do is wait to see them grow.
For the construction keep in mind: plant extra vines to guarantee that you will get the amount you predict and not less than it, analyze the whole process and keep a record that allows you to establish operation models according to quantities and results. As the season goes by, keep in mind that vine crops or nurseries generate orders, so you should make yours at least one year in advance.