Do you want to start a private label wine company? If YES, here is a detailed sample private label wine business plan template & FREE feasibility report.
If you are considering starting a private label wine business, the good news is that you can’t get it wrong because it is becoming a thing of prestige for top flight players in the hospitality industry to come up with their own private label wine for their customers.
A private label wine business comes with its own fair share of challenges, but that does not rule out the fact that it is indeed a profitable business venture.
A Sample Private Label Wine Business Plan Template
1. Industry Overview
Private label wine business helps clients produce and brand wine based on their demand. Private label wine companies will basically help their clients create their own brand and label, register the label with the TTB or authority of the country, and then submit labels or artwork to the supplying winery.
Private label wine business is a subset of the Wineries industry and this industry comprises of companies that are involved in at least one component of the winemaking process. The winemaking process includes growing and harvesting grapes, crushing and pressing grapes into unfermented wine and fermenting the wine. The industry also makes wine blends, brandies and wines made from other fruit sources.
Studies shows that the U.S. private label wine market has doubled in size since 2012, and as a matter of fact, private label wines now account for 8 to 10 percent of domestic wine sales. According to wine industry experts, the trend in the U.S. is part of a global trend that is continuing to gain momentum.
Statistics has it that in the united states of America alone, there are about 6,979 licensed and registered private label wine companies directly responsible for employing about 10,440 employees and indirectly responsible for employing roughly 57,247 people.
The industry rakes in a whooping sum of $26 billion annually with an annual growth rate projected at 5.7 percent between 2014 and 2019. It is important to state that E. & J. Gallo Winery, Constellation Brands Inc. and The Wine Group Inc. are the establishments with lion shares of the available market in this industry.
A recent report published by IBISWorld projected that the winery industry revenue will increase at an average annualized rate of 3.4 percent to $13.86 billion over the five years to 2010. Wine producers are expanding, as demand from a younger set of consumers is rapidly growing.
While the rough economic environment and falling consumer sentiment hampered revenue in 2009, growth is expected to remain strong over 2010. On the other hand, most of this growth is coming from lower-priced wine, which is having an adverse effect on profitability. With the average retail price of wine falling, producers are taking a hit.
If you decide to start the business from the scratch you will have to be extremely patient and be ready to spend huge money.
It can take up to four years before you produce grapes that are commercially viable and the process of making the wine can take a further two years which means whatever you budget for the business should be for a long term basis and you should be in it for the long haul.
The industry is characterized by fierce competition which is why it is important that when entering the business, you develop a particular niche as this will enable you penetrate the market and get your own customers. The factors that make an entrepreneur go into the business is the amount of profit to be made as there is a high demand for wines in the country which has gone a long way in making the business lucrative and profitable.
Over and above, you can decide to start and own a winery where you will produce the wine, brand the wine according to client’s request and distribute them to the customer, or another option is to source and broker wine supply deals from world – class wineries in south africa, Portugal, Argentina, Slovenia, Montenegro and Macedonia et al while you do the branding and marketing without owning a winery.
2. Executive Summary
Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc. is a standard and licensed private label wine company that will be located in a grape farming community in San Jose – California.
We have been able to secure a long – term lease for a standard winery facility and 25 acres of grape farm land in a strategic location with an option of a long – term renewal. The facility has government approval for the kind of business we want to run and it is easily accessible.
Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc. is a private label wine company geared towards helping her esteem clientele develop the unique type of wine they want, then we source and broker the deal and we will walk with them through the development process until the private label wine get to their store room.
We are focused to help our clienteles create their own brand and label, register the label with the TTB or authority of their country, and then submit labels or artwork to the supplying winery. We are also in business to make profits at the same to give our customers value for their money.
We are aware that there are quite a number of standard private label wine companies in the United States which is why we spent time and resources to conduct our feasibility studies and market survey so as to enable us locate the business in an area that will support the growth of the business.
We ensured that our vineyard (winery) is easy to locate and we have mapped out plans to also work with other vineyard and wineries all around the United States of America and Canada in case we are not able to meet up with demand.
Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc. will ensure that all our customers are given first class treatment whenever they visit our winery.
We have a CRM software that will enable us manage a one on one relationship with our customers no matter how large they may grow to. We will ensure that we get our customers involved when making some business decisions that will directly or indirectly affect them.
Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc. is family business that will be owned by Shannon Pearce and his immediate family members. Shannon Pearce who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Company is a world – class wine connoisseur and Graduate of Agricultural Science (B.Sc.) and he holds a Master’s Degree in Business Management (MBA).
He has over 15 years of experience working in related industry as a senior wine taster and consultant prior to starting Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc.
3. Our Products and Services
Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc. is going to operate a standard and licensed private label wine company whose clients will not only come from the United States and Canada but also in other parts of the world. These are some of our services and product offerings;
- Work and walk with each client to choose the style of bottle, cork and top capsule and, of course, the customized wine that goes in the bottle
- Create unique wine brand and label, register the label with the TTB or authority of their country, and then submit labels or artwork
- Related wine consultancy and advisory services
4. Our Mission and Vision Statement
- Our vision is to establish a standard vineyard that will help each client to choose the style of bottle, cork and top capsule and, of course, the customized wine that goes in the bottle.
- We will work with clients both in the United States of America and also in other parts of the world.
- Our mission is to establish a standard private label wine company that will help produce assorted wines for major players in the restaurants industry, the hotel and hospitality industry and a wide range of clients.
- We want to build a private label wine company that will be listed amongst the top 10 private label wine companies in the United States of America and Canada.
Our Business Structure
Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc. is established with the aim of competing favorably with other leading private label wine company brands in the industry. We will ensure that we only hire people that are qualified, honest, hardworking, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stakeholders.
As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more depending how fast we meet our set target. In view of that, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;
- Chief Executive Officer (Owner)
- Winery Manager
- Human Resources and Admin Manager
- Vinedressers and Wine Production Experts
- Sales and Marketing Manager
- Accountants/Cashiers
- Customer Service Executive
5. Job Roles and Responsibilities
Chief Executive Officer – CEO (Owner):
- Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results
- Creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
- Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals
- Responsible for providing direction for the business
- Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
- Evaluates the success of the organization
Winery Manager
- Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of the Winery
- Part of the team that determines the types (species) of wine grapes that are to be cultivated
- Maps out strategies that will lead to efficiency amongst workers in the vineyard
- Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of winery workers
- Providing advice on the management of farming activities across all sections
- Responsible for carrying out risk assessment
- Using IT systems and software to keep track of people and progress of the growth of crops
- Responsible for overseeing the accounting, costing and sale of wine grapes after harvest
- Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
- Ensures that the vineyard meets the expected safety and health standard at all times.
Human Resources and Admin Manager
- Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
- Defining job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
- Carrying out induction for new team members
- Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
- Oversee the smooth running of the daily office and factory activities.
Vinedressers and Wine Production Experts
- Responsible for cultivation, thinning, pruning, tying, suckering, canopy management, planting and replanting, irrigating and harvesting
- Handle pest, fungicide and herbicide management
- Handle irrigation, monitoring and making recommendations related to vineyard and fruit quality
- In charge of erosion control, trellis Installation, irrigation installation, frost protection, vineyard installation, fence installation and R&M
- Provide tools for all jobs; make sure that workers use the necessary equipment; keep areas clean and orderly; comply with county, state and federal regulations
- Enforce company policy; ensure that every job or task is safe for the employees; supervise to make sure all work is carried out correctly; assist the workers and treat them with respect
- Must be able to reasonably estimate harvest equipment needed; provide accurate harvest estimates; work within assigned budgets
- Search out and evaluate vineyard problems and make recommendations that provide effective, timely and economic solutions
Sales and Marketing Manager
- Manage external research and coordinate all the internal sources of information to retain the organizations’ best customers and attract new ones
- Model demographic information and analyze the volumes of transactional data generated by customer purchases
- Identify, prioritize, and reach out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
- Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs as regards the production of customized wine, and communicate with clients
- Document all customer contact and information
- Represent the company in strategic meetings
- Help increase sales and growth for the company
Accountant/Cashier
- Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
- Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports
- Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
- Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting
- Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
- Responsible for administering payrolls
- Ensuring compliance with taxation legislation
- Handles all financial transactions for the organization
- Serves as internal auditor for the organization
Client Service Executive
- Ensures that all contacts with customer (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
- Through interaction with customers on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
- Manages administrative duties assigned by the store manager in an effective and timely manner
- Consistently stays abreast of any new information on Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc. products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to students when they make enquiries
6. SWOT Analysis
We are quite aware that there are several private label wine companies in the United States of America which is why we are following the due process of establishing a business so as to compete favorable with them.
We know that if a proper SWOT analysis is conducted for our business, we will be able to position our business to maximize our strength, leverage on the opportunities that will be available to us, mitigate our risks and be equipped to confront our threats.
Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc. employed the services of an expert HR and Business Analyst with bias in startup business to help us conduct a thorough SWOT analysis and to help us create a Business model that will help us achieve our business goals and objectives.
This is the summary of the SWOT analysis that was conducted for Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc.;
- Strength:
Part of what is going to count as positives for Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc. is the vast experience of our management team, we have people on board who understand how to grow business from the scratch to becoming a national phenomenon.
So also, aside from the fact that we have robust business network with other wineries, we grow different species of wine grapes and we have the capacity to blend and bottle quality and unique wines within our vineyards, our large international business network and of course our excellent customer service culture and unique style of branding will definitely count as a strong strength for the business.
- Weakness:
A major weakness that may count against us is the fact that we are a new private label wine company and we don’t have the financial capacity to engage in the kind of publicity that we intend giving the business especially when big names are already determining the direction of the market.
- Opportunities:
The opportunities available to private label wine companies in the United States are unlimited because studies show that the U.S. private label wine market has doubled in size since 2012, and as a matter of fact, private label wines now account for 8 to 10 percent of domestic wine sales. According to wine industry experts, the trend in the U.S. is part of a global trend that is continuing to gain momentum.
Aside from the above, the excise tax on wine represents federal and median state taxes levied on wine, which are charged per gallon produced. Taxes are levied on producers, which then pass along the tax burden to consumers in the form of higher prices.
Increases in the excise tax on wine raise the retail price of a bottle of wine, driving a greater number of customers to seek out more affordable alcoholic beverages. The excise tax on wine is expected to decline this year, representing a potential opportunity for the industry
- Threat:
Alcoholic beverage producers are highly regulated in the United States because the sector remains subject to many Prohibition-era regulations. These regulations make it difficult for alcoholic beverage producers to sell their products directly to downstream markets without going through a wholesale distributor.
Thus, regulation can deter prospective operators from entering the industry or force existing operators to leave the industry due to excessive money and manpower spent attempting to circumvent regulations. This year, regulation for the alcoholic beverages sector is expected to increase, posing a potential threat to the industry.
7. MARKET ANALYSIS
- Market Trends
Over the last five years, it has become obvious that consumer drinking preferences have moved away from standard light beers, and loads of consumers have discovered wine for its perceived health benefits and increasingly diverse flavor profiles.
Going forward, the wineries industry will continue to benefit from a growing number of consumers, mostly among the millennial generation, who have expanded their palettes toward domestic wine. Also, the US wine region is increasingly becoming popular on a global stage.
In a situation where you do not have enough money to invest beyond growing wine grapes, you can choose to partner with more established wineries that have their own vineyards and wineries to grow their grapes and produce their own wines. These wineries give people the opportunity to make a barrel for their own private consumption or make hundreds of barrels for commercial purposes.
All you have to do is bring some money and choose the variety of grape you will like as well as the site of the vineyard and choose a winemaker to work with you to choose your flavor then go ahead to market your product. You do not need to worry about buying property, machinery and other tedious aspects of the business. The investment is still huge but not as much as starting from the scratch.
A recent trend captured by IBWSS (International Bulk Wine & Spirit Shows San Francisco) shows that since that time, the market for private label wines has exploded in popularity. Many of the biggest retailers – Sam’s Club, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Kroger, Costco – have very well-developed private label wine programs.
Kroger, for example, has two separate lines of private label wines: Parker’s Estate and Acronym. Whole Foods Market goes one step further, with four different private label wines: Animist, Criterion, Wine Farmer, and Songbird Cellars. Costco now offers wines, priced from $6 at the low end to $24 at the high end.
According to retail experts, total global wine sales for Costco is now close to $1.8 billion. As a result, private label is truly big business these days. What started off as a retail trend is now moving into on-premise establishments as a way to attract customers with a distinctive wine that can’t be found anywhere else.
Grand Hyatt Hotels, for example, has partnered with Michael Mondavi’s Folio Fine Wine Partners on a new private label line. Shake Shack has partnered with Frog’s Leap winery on a private label “Shack Red” for its burger fans. And even the high-end restaurant.
8. Our Target Market
When it comes to selling private label wines, there is indeed a wide range of available customers. In essence, our target market can’t be restricted to just an industry, but all the businesses that are interested in retailing or giving out customized wines to their customers.
One thing is certain, the target market for wines, especially red wines will continue to increase.. We are in business to engage in the production of private label wines to the following groups of people;
- Hotel chains
- Restaurant chains
- Event planners
- High – end supermarkets and Wine shops
- Wineries (B2B).
Our Competitive Advantage
Although we are set out to establish a standard private label wine company, but we will also own our vineyard (winery) in San Jose – California whose clients will cut across players in different industries in the United States of America and Canada and the rest of the world. This is part of the competitive advantage that we are bringing into the market.
Another competitive advantage that we have is the vast experience of our management team, we have people on board who understand how to grow business from the scratch to becoming a national phenomenon.
Aside from the fact that we have robust business network with other wineries, we grow different species of wine grapes and we have the capacity to blend and bottle quality and unique wines within our vineyards, our large international business network and of course our excellent customer service culture and unique style of branding will definitely count as a strong strength for the business.
Lastly, all our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category in the industry. It will enable them to be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our business aims and objectives.
9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY
- Sources of Income
Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc. is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the wineries industry both the United States of America and Canada and we are going to ensure that we do all it takes to work with clients all across the globe.
Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc. will generate income by offering the following services and products;
- Work and walk with each client to choose the style of bottle, cork and top capsule and, of course, the customized wine that goes in the bottle
- Create unique wine brand and label, register the label with the TTB or authority of their country, and then submit labels or artwork
- Related wine consultancy and advisory services
10. Sales Forecast
We have perfected our sales and marketing strategies and we are quite optimistic that we will meet or even surpass our set sales target of generating enough income/profits and build the business from survival to sustainability within the shortest period of time.
We have been able to examine the private label wine market landscape and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. Below are the sales projections for Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc., it is based on the location of our private label wine company and of course the wide range of services and products we will be offering;
- First Fiscal Year (FY1): $350,000
- Second Fiscal Year (FY2): $650,000
- Third Fiscal Year (FY3): $1.25 million
N.B: This projection was done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown that can impact negatively on household spending, bad weather cum natural disasters and unfavorable government policies. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.
- Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy
Before choosing a location for Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc. and also the types of clients to work with, we conducted a thorough market survey and feasibility studies in order for us to penetrate the available market of those who purchase wine grape and consume wines.
We have detailed information and data that we were able to utilize to structure our business to attract the number of customers we want to attract per time and also for our products to favorable compete with other leading brands in the United States of America.
We hired experts who have good understanding of the wineries industry to help us develop marketing strategies that will help us achieve our business goal of winning a larger percentage of the available market in the United States of America and Canada.
In summary, Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc. will adopt the following sales and marketing approach to sell our private label wines;
- Introduce our private label wine company – brand by sending introductory letters to hotel chains, restaurants, wineries, wine production companies and other stakeholders both in the United States of America
- Advertise our products in community based newspapers, local TV and radio stations
- List our business and products on yellow pages ads (local directories)
- Leverage on the internet to promote our wine grape – brands
- Engage in direct marketing and sales
- Encourage the use of Word of mouth marketing (referrals)
11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy
Despite the fact that our private label wine is a standard one with a winery that can favorably compete with other leading brands, we will still go ahead to intensify publicity for all our brand.
Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc. has a long – term plan of producing private label wines for clients all around the United States of America and Canada and the rest of the world which is why we will deliberately build our brand to be well accepted in San Jose – California before venturing out.
Here are the platforms we intend leveraging on to promote and advertise Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc.;
- Place adverts on both print (community – based newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
- Sponsor relevant community programs
- Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook, twitter, et al to promote our brand
- Install our Billboards in strategic locations all around major cities in the United States of America
- Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
- Position our Flexi Banners at strategic positions in the location where we intend getting customers to start patronizing our products.
- Ensure that all our staff members wear our customized clothes, and all our official cars and distribution vans are customized and well branded.
12. Our Pricing Strategy
When it comes to pricing for products such as private label wines, there are factors that determines it. For example, a private label wine company may decide that the minimum initial order is one 20′ container – from 560-840 cases. For lesser quantities, the shipping cost per case increases significantly.
Current prices for standard quality wines in standard packaging is around $32/case of 12. Reserve wines with six months’ exposure to oak are priced from $50/case. Grand Reserve wines, available in limited quantities for clients looking for the best, are priced from $66/case.
- Payment Options
The payment policy adopted by Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc. is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and regulation of the United States of America.
Here are the payment options that Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc. will make available to her clients;
- Payment via bank transfer
- Payment with cash
- Payment via online bank transfer
- Payment via credit cards
- Payment via check
- Payment via mobile money
- Payment via bank draft
In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our client make payment for private label wine production deals without any stress on their part.
13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)
The private label wine company is a capital – intensive venture to start and we are prepared financially. We are aware that where you decide to locate the business, the equipment as well as structures you will build will take up a major chunk of the money you have put aside to set up the business.
We have conducted our research, analysis, feasibility studies and market survey very well before drawing up a budget and going ahead to source for funds for the business. This is the key areas where we will spend our startup capital;
- The total fee for registering the Business in the United States – $750.
- Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits as well as the accounting services (software, P.O.S machines and other software) – $1,300.
- Marketing promotion expenses for the grand opening of Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc. in the amount of $3,500 and as well as flyer printing (2,000 flyers at $0.04 per copy) for the total amount of – $3,580.
- The cost for hiring Business Consultant – $2,500.
- Insurance (general liability, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $2,400.
- The budget for permits, Insurance and license – $5,000
- The money needed to acquire land that will be suitable for the variety of grapes we will like to plant can cost you between – $100,000
- Construction of the vineyard facility and tasting rooms and other administrative blocks could cost about – $200, 000
- The amount required for the purchase of the first set of grape seeds, bottles, corks, branding and other supplies – $150,000
- Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $100,000
- The equipment for the offices such as filing cabinets, safety gadgets, computers, printers, telephones, fax machines, furniture and electronics could cost about – $15,000
- Creating and launching an official website could cost about – $700
- Other expenses such as signage, business cards, advertisements, publicity and promotions) could cost around – $2,500
We would need an estimate of seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($750,00) to successfully set up our Private label wine company in San Jose – California.
Generating Funding/Startup Capital for Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc.
Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc. is a family business that will be owned and financed by Shannon Pearce and his immediate family members. They do not intend to welcome any external business partners which is why he has decided to restrict the sourcing of the startup capital to 3 major sources.
- Generate part of the startup capital from personal savings and sell of stocks
- Source for soft loans from family members and friends
- Apply for loan from the bank
N.B: We have been able to generate about $250,000 (Personal savings $200,000 and soft loan from family members $50,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $500,000 from our bank. All the papers and documents have been signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited with the amount.
14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy
Part of the plans we have in place to sustain Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc. is to ensure that we continue to produce top quality and unique private label wines, deliver quality after sales services, improvise on how to do things faster and cheaper.
We are quite aware that our customers are key component to the growth and survival of our business hence we are going to continuously engage them to give us ideas on how to serve them better and the products they want to see in our store.
We will not waste time in adopting new technology, best practices and diversifying our services. Shannon Pearce® Private Label Wine Company, Inc. will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of.
Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and re – training of our workforce is at the top burner. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.
Check List/Milestone
- Business Name Availability Check: Completed
- Business Registration: Completed
- Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
- Securing Point of Sales (POS) Machines: Completed
- Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed
- Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
- Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
- Application for business license and permit: Completed
- Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
- Leasing of facility (farmland inclusive) and construction of (vineyard) winery: In Progress
- Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
- Generating capital from family members: Completed
- Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress
- writing of business plan: Completed
- Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
- Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
- Design of the Company’s Logo: Completed
- Printing of Packaging and Promotional Materials: In Progress
- Recruitment of employees: In Progress
- Purchase of the needed furniture, racks, shelves, computers, electronic appliances, office appliances and CCTV: In progress
- Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
- Creating Awareness for the business both online and around the community: In Progress
- Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured
- Establishing business relationship with vendors – wholesale suppliers / merchants of wine grapes and key players in the restaurants industry and the hotels and hospitality industry: In Progress