So You Want to Be a Wine Importer?

RE: So You Want to Be a Wine Importer?

David Medina — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 01:51:48 GMT

Great article! I'm looking to venture into the importing and distributing spirits and wine from Mexico. I feel like this article clarified a lot of things that I have been trying to focus on in my research. Thanks!!!

RE: So You Want to Be a Wine Importer?

Adam Zuckert — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 18:46:54 GMT

I really enjoyed this Kelli, thank you.

Question for Paolo if possible.

You’d mentioned each reefer costs ~$15K in just shipping and taxes, with taxes being about 1/3rd of that. Could you break down the federal and state taxes, even roughly please? How have the new Fed tax laws affected your business?

Thanks very much.

RE: So You Want to Be a Wine Importer?

Michael Matonte — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 15:21:56 GMT

Fantastic article Kelli - thank you for sharing! I have had the pleasure of knowing Paolo (Beivuma) since 2003 as a customer of Vinifera. Today I am proud to call him a friend. It's funny, because I was talking to him not long ago about how the "small guy" distribution and import companies deserve more love regarding how hard they need to work to maintain a successful company in today's US market. He said "funny you should mention that because I am talking to Kelli White who's working on an article about this very subject." In Illinois (Chicago), a state (city) dominated by Southern Wine & Spirits and Breakthru Beverage, I am beyond proud (and find it extremely important) to support the small, independent and family-run import and distribution companies. The service that Paolo (and many others in Illinois like him) provides is exceptional. I feel there are so many opportunities to work with these companies in creative and cost effective ways that the "big boys" can't offer. As wine buyers for retail and restaurants, it's our job to think outside the box and constantly push to change the way wine business takes place between buyers and distributors/importers, and to keep this sector of small importers/distributors thriving. I don't know about you all, but a wine world where you buy wine from two or three big companies exclusively sounds awful.

RE: So You Want to Be a Wine Importer?

Susan Cheung — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 22:37:57 GMT

Thank you, Kelli, for another great article with tons of information!!

RE: So You Want to Be a Wine Importer?

Andrew Copeland — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 15:57:04 GMT

What a great article - thank you!

RE: So You Want to Be a Wine Importer?

Keith Spreckels Jr — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 15:40:29 GMT

Thanks Kelli this is wonderful! I recently started my own import company (about 6 months ago) with a friend of mine. We appreciate the thoughtfulness of this and all of your articles. Very nice!

RE: So You Want to Be a Wine Importer?

Ivonne Nill — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 13:03:38 GMT

Well researched article, and great examples. Thank you!