The Wine Business Primer

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01
The big picture

Introduction to the Wine Business

How wine moves from vine to glass to ledger — and where the money is made along the way.

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02
It starts in the vineyard

Grape Growing & Viticulture

Climate, terroir, varietals, and the yearly growing cycle that sets the ceiling on quality.

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03
From juice to bottle

Winemaking Fundamentals

Fermentation, aging, blending, and bottling — the craft decisions that shape style and cost.

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04
What a bottle really costs

Wine Production Economics

Cost of goods, capacity, vintage risk, and the unit economics every wine business must understand.

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05
Producers, distributors, retailers

The Three-Tier System

How U.S. distribution works, why it exists, and how to navigate distributors and compliance.

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06
Telling your story

Wine Marketing & Branding

Positioning, label design, ratings, storytelling, and building a brand customers return to.

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07
Selling without the middle

Direct-to-Consumer & Wine Clubs

Tasting rooms, e-commerce, shipping law, and the recurring revenue of a great wine club.

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08
The rules of the game

Compliance, Licensing & Regulation

TTB, state licensing, label approval, and the regulatory must-knows that keep you in business.

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09
Closing the glass

Wine Sales & Hospitality

On- and off-premise sales, sommelier essentials, and the service that turns tastes into loyalty.

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10
Making the numbers work

Finance, Pricing & Profitability

Pricing strategy, margins, cash flow, and the financial levers that separate hobby from business.

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