What Are Winery Private Barrel Programs?
Have you ever been to a wedding or family reunion where the wine was specially created for the occasion? There’s a growing interest in private barrel programs, which allow people who don’t specialize in winemaking to design their own wine. Private barrels are also of interest to restaurants and retailers who want to offer their customers a unique taste experience.
What Is the Allure of Investing in Private Label Wine?
Wine lovers are drawn to private barrel programs for a few different reasons.
The Taste Is Entirely Up to You
Personalizing your wine is an exciting experience. You get to work together with enologists and make the decisions that will determine the taste of your varietal. You can create blends and decide on important factors such as oak additions. There are several tastings for you to attend during the wine-making process, and the final product will reflect your taste exactly.
You Don’t Have to Worry About the Logistics
It’s unsurprising that seasoned wine-lovers are drawn to the process of selecting their own wine. But even though you’re thoroughly involved in the process, creating your personalized wine shouldn’t cause you any uncertainty. Since you have an experienced team to consult with, you don’t have to worry about making the wrong decision. Whatever varietal you may choose, the blending process will result in a balanced and delicious wine.
Additionally, the winery will take care of every part of the production. From providing the grapes to ensuring the right cellar conditions, they will take care of the specifics for you. You can rely on the experience and enthusiasm of wine professionals to create a barrel that will meet the highest standards of the industry. Some wineries even offer a tutorial for designing beautiful private labels.
You Can Use the Label to Fit Your Goals
Private label wine is an excellent choice for a birthday gift or retirement gift, and it’s frequently used as a corporate gift as well. When you choose the label on your bottles, you can leave a lasting impression.
High-end bars and restaurants love using this option for their house wine. Wine shops and other retailers can also make full use of personalized labeling. There are also corporations who invest in a private barrel and use the resulting wine for marketing.
What to Watch Out for When You Choose a Private Barrel Program
It's important to choose the right experts to create your personalized wine. Private barrel programs are increasingly popular, and they’re offered by both large wineries and boutique ones. Here are a few questions you should ask before you choose the winery you want to work with.
Do You Like Their Work?
Before you invest in a private barrel, sample the wines. How much experience does the winery have with the varietal you’ve chosen? Exactly how wide is the selection on offer? If you’re considering a winery that’s located in another part of the country, you might be able to receive a sample by post.
What Exactly Is Included in the Price?
Private barrel programs are a considerable investment, and you can expect to spend over $10,000 on a barrel that provides you with 24 or 25 cases of wine. Make sure to ask about the size of the barrel, as well as the expected production time for your chosen varietal.
But there are other questions you should cover as well. For example, some wineries include label design in the final price, while others do not. Additionally, you should find out how many tastings you can expect during production.
Does the Winery Offer a Tour?
If your barrel is intended as a gift for a special event, you may want to choose a winery that offers tours. The recipient of your gift will enjoy exploring the vineyard and the cellar that hosted their barrel. Some wineries offer wine tasting and dining options as well.
Will It Be Easy to Keep in Touch?
It’s best to opt for a winery that’s upfront about how much you’ll be involved in the production process. While you don’t have to stick to your local options, make it clear you’ll want frequent updates. The best wineries may offer video conference options, and they’ll make sure you have time to fit wine tastings into your schedule.
Other Drinks
It’s important to note that private barrel programs aren’t exclusive to wineries. Some luxury distilleries offer this service too, so you can invest in a private barrel of whiskey or other spirits. Personalized bourbon barrels are especially sought-after.
A Final Thought
Private barrel programs are on the rise across the country, and they’re gaining traction internationally as well. This means that there’s a wide variety of options in front of you, and you can find a winery whose selection fits your taste down to the last detail.
