family wineries

[annie5433]

Are family wineries more popular / produce better wine than wineries owned by big companies? Or are big companies buying them out? Does this happen more in the US or abroad? Does it effect pricing and distribution?

[Innkeeper]

Yes/no. Yes/no. Yes/no. This may not sound like a very good answer, but it is accurate. You left out of the equation medium sized wineries, and that is the crutch. Small wineries have a harder time in the U.S. than in some other countries. In Europe, in particular, some have been around for centurys. Here the problem is distribution, where there are fewer and fewer wholesalers. Bans on interstate shipping are their big problem.

Medium size wineries, particularly New World ones are subject to being gobbled up by national and international conglomorates. Most of these do well after the dust settles, but one knows that this is just as long as the bottom line holds.

There are many big guy/little guy arguments, and there is no pat answer. That is why I started out my answer the way I did.

[winoweenie]

Hi annie5433 and welcome to the board. Yes...Yes...Yes... Yes... No..Kinda'...Always. WW ( An Assignment? ) Has enntbody buts me noticed that when I answer a question that hasn't been answered, IK answers at the same time and his are ALLAS' posted afore' mine?????

[This message has been edited by winoweenie (edited 02-21-2003).]

[Kcwhippet]

IK wants to answer all the questions from all the new folks who never, ever, fill out their profile.

[Thomas]

Kc, that sounds like a super idea to me--let IK be the guy who does homework...