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Winery Wisdom: The Pros and Cons of Owning a Winery

The Pros and Cons of Owning a Winery

Dreaming of purchasing a winery? It certainly can be a dream business, giving you a lifestyle that takes you away from the stress and intensity of city living. While being the owner of a vineyard is essentially living the dream for many, it isn’t all sunshine and rosé. Like all things in life, there are pros and cons, so it’s up to each individual to decide whether this business and lifestyle is right for them. 

To help you weigh these pros and cons and make an informed decision, we’ve developed this brief overview of what you can expect if you purchase a winery. By the time you reach the end of the article, you should have a clearer idea of whether this is the path for you. 

Pro: The Process Is Much Easier Than You May Expect 

If your idea of making wine comes from movies or books, you’ll be pleased to know that the process is actually a whole lot easier than it seems. You will have to learn how to change the oil in your tractor and where to source the best Braud grape harvester parts, but almost all aspects of wine-making are handled by machines these days. So you won’t be out there squishing grapes in a barrel!

Con: You’re Responsible For Everything 

If you’re the owner, all responsibilities within the business essentially fall on you. This means you’ll need a good team of employees and professionals on your side. From the people who harvest your grapes to the tax accountant who keeps your books in order, you’ll need to select your people wisely and ensure they’re fairly compensated. 

Pro: You Get To Craft The Identity Of The Business

Although having all the responsibility may sound scary, it also means that you get to decide exactly how your business presents itself to the world. If you know you want to be your own boss and you’re excited about taking on all the risk and responsibility, you have the right mindset to excel as a winery owner.  

Con: Running A Business Can Be All-Consuming 

Running your own business affords you a level of freedom you can never achieve as an employee. You get to set your own hours and location, and you call all the shots and have total control. 

While this may sound like a dream come true, it’s important to be aware that running a business can take over your life. To avoid this, you must be willing to delegate and balance your pursuits with your professional ones.

Pro: You Can Choose Your Coworkers

Another major perk of owning a winery is that you get to choose your coworkers. Because you’re the boss, you can build the perfect team of people who are amazing at their jobs, get along well, and work as a cohesive team. Before going through the hiring process we suggest learning about diversity in the workplace so you can create the most inclusive and motivated team possible.

This list of pros and cons is far from exhaustive, but it is a good place to start when deciding whether you want to own a winery. Of course, you’ll need to weigh up your circumstances to make an informed decision. However, we hope this piece has given you some insight into whether this path is truly suitable for you. Ultimately, if you feel inspired by what you’re doing and motivated to take on the style of work required, owning a winery can be a deeply rewarding experience.