Wine Tasting

[rozza2013]

Hi,

I have been thinking for a while about setting up a business offering wine tastings.

I dont have any official qualifications in wine tasting currently, but I was thinking of starting very small and hosting them from my home.

Is anyone aware of any implications in doing this? Presuming insurance?? Would I need a alcohol licence?

 

[vvaannmmaann]

How will this business make any money for you?

 

[rozza2013]

Sorry... Pritty vital point i suppose lol.

Initially the price per person would cover the cost of the wine that is supplied for tasting.

Due to me not having any qualifications in this I was hoping to start with cheaper wines and a less formal approach.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

But what is the reason for you doing this?are you hoping to sell wine to people.I don't get what you are hoping to achieve. As for using "cheaper" wines..........

Does your local area have a Wine Group or Club that you could go to and see how things work?

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Have a look at this;
http://www.wine-4-beginners.com/WineTasting.html

 

[businessfunding]

The nature of the business model might well have a direct impact on the answers to your original questions.

 

[Pareto Associates]

Some thing I say time and time again... Write a business plan.

Tips can be found on the direct gov website.

At the moment you come across as an inexperienced wine taster who fancies trying their hand at setting up wine tasting parties. This is not a business plan.

You need to think about:
Competitors
Customers
Suppliers
Distribution channels
Suppliers
Marketing
Your Goals

I could go on...

Without a business plan there will be no structure or understanding of your business. Your decisions will be constantly flawed.

Take a couple of weeks to make a business plan and understand/research the industry. Come back and I will personally critique your plan.

Good luck!

 

[rozza2013]

Thank you for your advice.

Suppose I tried to focus too much on the initial issues I thought of such as legal issues i.e. would i need a licence etc. instead of putting more thought into the overall business model and plan etc.

Thanks

 

[Pareto Associates]

Thank you for your advice.

Suppose I tried to focus too much on the initial issues I thought of such as legal issues i.e. would i need a licence etc. instead of putting more thought into the overall business model and plan etc.

Thanks

Things like licenses are very valid issues, but you should seek to include them in your overall business plan. The direct gov website gives a great starting point for creating a business plan.

And, I would be more than happy to constructively critique it upon completion.

 

[Vectis]

I can't imagine paying to go somewhere to taste wine. I'd expect to go along and taste it and then buy some if I liked it.

Where would you be sourcing the wine from? Hopefully not your local supermarket? To my mind, you'd have to be offering something different - wines that can't be bought from Tesco etc, perhaps ones that you import yourself.

 

[patientlady]

If your model is how you have described, I am sorry there is no money in it unless you are dealing in fines wines. If that is the case they would not then be sampled and you would nead a great deal of knowledge.
As said above most consumers would expect to sample wine free of charge, then purchase. Unfortunately if you are looking at this market you will have a very lean time and without any knowledge you will be found out in minutes. Sorry

An idea
Many drinks wholesalers believe it or not, do not have any knowledge either! Get the knowledge, then approach some wholesalers with a view to representing them. You would be able to improve their end offering, set up wine lists etc. Dealing with a wholesaler will give you business outlets and volume. Once your up and running you could then start approaching businesses direct with confidence.

You can bluff so much with this subject, but once found out

 

[Deleted member 138423]

Where in the country are you OP?

 

[Bartenders Fetish]

Hi,

From personal experience, I know there is market for this, if done properly. It can be used for things such as team building and special occasions.
I currently do a similar thing, but with cocktails. I have done wine tasting sessions in the past though and I am still open to do them if prompted.
However your wine tasting guide must really know there stuff to the point of what the live stock grazed on for the manure to aid the grapes growing.
The type of clientele are usually middle aged and over men and women who already know their stuff and they will test you!
Why not trying to go to some wine tastings first or even forming a social wine club? Get some guest speakers to really learn the format and extent of knowledge used.
I hope this helps and if you need any more advice, then please don't hesitate to message me!

Thanks,

Tom