Why to create Lil' Wines?

I've decided to create Lil' Wines to help wineries export their wines, and also to help producers who don't have time to thoroughly research the varied rules among wine international markets.

Over the past years, I've met many family-run wineries that had to make a choice between a professional figure like an export manager and the necessity to buy new equipment (ex: tractors, label's print machine etc.) Almost all of them chose the latter. It's more important to be properly equipped to work in the vineyards; It's more important to produce a good product; It's more important to have attractive packaging. And once you finally have all these things? You must hope for a bit of luck: "I have a good product – someone will certainly be interested in it!"

Unfortunately, most of the wineries have realized it's not easy to sell their wines. Having a good product is just not enough to sell it. Eye-catching packaging is not enough to close a deal. A "sweet" history about the third/fourth generation of vine growers is more of a yawn than a unique selling proposition for importers.

In 2018, in Italy alone, there were more than 49.000 registered companies bottling wine – a huge number! Have you ever thought about how you can distinguish yourself among so many wines?

There are different things that each importer takes into consideration: brand, denomination (some are more famous than others), awards (high points at WE, WS etc), organic or biodynamic cultivation, price, packaging, etc.

The world of the export is in continuous evolution. In Russia, especially in the big cities, wine consumption has already outpaced vodka and beer. In Mainland China, the WSET has seen exponential growth of enrolments in just the last 5 years. Countries like Kazakhistan and Azerbajan have become important wine import markets.

HAVING A GOOD PRODUCT IS JUST NOT ENOUGH TO SELL IT
EYE-CATCHING PACKAGING IS NOT ENOUGH TO CLOSE A DEAL
A "SWEET" HISTORY ABOUT THE THIRD/FOURTH GENERATION OF VINE GROWERS IS MORE OF A YAWN THAN A UNIQUE SELLING PROPOSITION FOR IMPORTERS

Taking part in a wine exhibition could cost 10.000€ or more, but it's productive only if you've scheduled appointments in advance. Otherwise it's preferable to participate in B2B meetings or walk around tastings. But in this case, you must consider 2 things:

1. Which country should you choose?

2. Are you sure which country shows more potential interest?
All countries are different! Some only need an Invoice and DDT, some E-AD, while others require health certificates, labs analysis, certificate of origin, certificate of no OGM additions etc. In some cases you'll need to put different back labels or stick the state excise marks on the bottles. When you work with different states which have different rules, the organization of bottling can prove much more difficult than meets the eye.

I'm well prepared to take on the challenges that any winery could face when dealing with documents like contracts with Russia and Ucraine, the FDA or Cola Wavers, just to name a few.

I have many years of experience and expertise in international wine business. Please contact me and I would be pleased to help you find new clients and build your sales.