Winery Startup Resource Guide
Starting a winery involves more than producing great wine. This checklist is designed to help you identify the professionals, services, and business decisions you'll likely encounter as you build your brand.
Business Formation
☐ Business Entity (LLC, Corporation, Partnership)
☐ Employer Identification Number (EIN)
☐ Business Bank Account
☐ Business Insurance
☐ General Liability Insurance
☐ Workers' Compensation Insurance (if hiring employees)
☐ Accountant / CPA
☐ Business Attorney
Licensing & Compliance
☐ Federal TTB Permit
☐ California ABC License (Type 02 or other applicable license)
☐ Seller's Permit
☐ Fictitious Business Name (if applicable)
☐ Trademark Search
☐ Brand Registration
☐ Direct-to-Consumer Shipping Licenses
☐ State Shipping Permits
☐ Excise Tax Registration
☐ Sales Tax Registration
☐ Compliance Consultant
Recommended Compliance Partners
Jessica Banta Consulting
Nancy – Uncorked Compliance
Vineyard & Grape Sourcing
☐ Vineyard Contracts
☐ Grape Purchase Agreements
☐ Grower Relationships
☐ Harvest Logistics
☐ Fruit Transportation
☐ Crop Insurance (if applicable)
Winemaking
☐ Consulting Winemaker
☐ Pacific Wine Services Winemaking Support
☐ Crush Services
☐ Laboratory Services
☐ Barrel Program
☐ Tank Storage
☐ Barrel Storage
☐ Bottling Schedule
☐ Wine Analysis
☐ Wine Samples
Packaging
☐ Bottle Selection
☐ Cork
☐ Screw Cap
☐ Capsules
☐ Labels
☐ Back Labels
☐ Case Boxes
☐ Cartons
☐ Pallets
☐ Glass Supply
☐ Label Approval (COLA, if applicable)
Branding & Marketing
☐ Winery Name
☐ Logo
☐ Brand Identity
☐ Website
☐ Professional Photography
☐ Social Media Accounts
☐ Email Marketing Platform
☐ Wine Club
☐ Marketing Plan
☐ Public Relations
☐ Graphic Designer
Sales Strategy
How do you plan to sell your wine?
☐ Wine Club
☐ Online Store
☐ Tasting Room
☐ Wholesale
☐ Restaurants
☐ Retail Stores
☐ Distributors
☐ Wine Brokers
☐ Events & Festivals
☐ Export
Distribution
☐ California Distribution
☐ Self Distribution (where permitted)
☐ Distributor Relationships
☐ Direct Shipping
☐ Fulfillment Warehouse
☐ Shipping Software
☐ UPS/FedEx Wine Shipping Account
☐ Temperature-Controlled Shipping
Financial Planning
☐ Startup Budget
☐ Production Budget
☐ Cash Flow Forecast
☐ Inventory Plan
☐ Barrel Budget
☐ Packaging Budget
☐ Marketing Budget
☐ Sales Goals
☐ Five-Year Growth Plan
Technology
☐ Inventory Software
☐ Compliance Software
☐ Accounting Software
☐ Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
☐ Email Marketing Platform
☐ POS System
☐ Website Hosting
☐ Domain Registration
Professional Network
Consider building relationships with:
☐ Attorney
☐ CPA
☐ Compliance Consultant
☐ Insurance Agent
☐ Vineyard Manager
☐ Consulting Winemaker
☐ Graphic Designer
☐ Photographer
☐ Label Printer
☐ Bottle Supplier
☐ Capsule Supplier
☐ Closure Supplier
☐ Carton Supplier
☐ Marketing Consultant
☐ Public Relations Firm
☐ Distributor
☐ Freight Carrier
☐ Wine Competition Coordinator
☐ Industry Associations
Custom Crush Client
“From grape to vine, Pacific Wine was an indispensable partner in the development of our vintage. Their ability to guide first-time clients through the complicated and often contradictory art of wine making is second to none. ”
Silver Hawk Vineyards
Custom Crush Client
“One of the best parts about working with Pacific Wine Services was their ability to maintain a solutions-oriented mindset. After working in the wine industry for decades, this level of customer service is unprecedented.”
Frisby Cellars