After the acquisition of a vineyard, BLUE SIDE offers to assist the new owner in taking over the operation. This support covers four areas: the vineyard, technical equipment, human resources, and marketing. If necessary, it can extend to providing interim management.
Purchasing a vineyard means, above all, acquiring a business in its own right: the vineyard operation. Many buyers who do not come from the wine industry have skills in management, project management, or business administration. An understanding of the technical aspects of this type of business, tailored to their specific project, enables them to run the operation while avoiding pitfalls.
BLUE SIDE builds on an assessment of the vineyard, technical equipment, human resources, and existing production and sales models. We work, as needed, with land experts, oenologists, winery architects, designers, suppliers of viticultural and winemaking equipment, and specialized firms.
The vineyard: the foundation of the winery
Implementation of a vineyard optimization program:
- compliance with the appellation's specifications; ;
- renewal of the vineyard's grape varieties; ;
- maintenance of the trellis; ;
- drainage and irrigation; ;
- opportunities for expanding the vineyard area.
The Technical Tool
- Wine-making equipment : audit and optimization of investments (tractors, tillage and treatment equipment, grape-harvesting machines, agricultural implements).
- Wine Cellars and Cellar Equipment : ergonomics, quality, and scalability (harvesters, destemmer-crushers, crushers, heat exchangers, presses, pumps, filters, refrigeration units, fermentation tanks, cooperage, bottling, packaging, and storage).
Human Resources
- Analysis of the existing organizational structure in light of the operation’s needs (vineyard, administrative, and sales staff).
- Tasks that can be outsourced to service providers (pruning, debudding, grape harvesting).
- Administrative responsibilities (customs, FranceAgriMer, INAO, unions, and industry associations).
- Tools for managing vineyards, wineries, marketing, and accounting.
- Effectiveness of the sales team.
- Proposal for reorganization, if necessary.
Marketing
Wines from Provence—the vast majority of which are rosés—are sold almost entirely within the year, which makes the quality of marketing a critical factor. Our recommendations focus in particular on:
- product specifications (bottles, BIBs, bulk, product lines, price lists, packaging); ;
- target markets (wine cellars, wine shops, the hospitality industry, mass retail, exports, wine trading, and cooperatives); ;
- the establishment or expansion of a trading business (purchase of must or grapes, secondary brand).
Tailor-made support
This support is not exhaustive; it is tailored to the specific nature and structure of each property. Its purpose is to facilitate the new operator’s transition. When the situation requires it, BLUE SIDE can provide interim management during the transition period.
For the steps leading up to the restart, see our buyer's guide. To learn more about our business lines: Our Expertise. A takeover plan? Contact us.
