By: Katy Anderson | Contributing Author
Have you ever been interested in having your own label of wine? Private labels have grown in popularity as more people discover you do not need to own your own winery. The key is partnering with an established vineyard and winery that offers a full array of custom wine-making services. I spoke with Akhil Reddy, Proprietor & CEO, and Eric Sigmund, Chief Operating Officer for Reddy Vineyards, to break down the steps of creating your own brand.
What is a Private Label Wine?
Private-label wines are traditionally brands created for a company, restaurant, or individual to sell exclusively under their own name. Many vineyards grow more grapes, or produce more wine, than they can sell on their own, so they work with outside parties to sell the excess. Owning a private-label wine allows for someone else to take care of the production process so you may focus on branding, marketing, and selling your new label.
Getting Started
Embarking on your journey to create your own label of wine is very exciting. A huge component is finding a quality producer. For 25 years, Reddy Vineyards has been a leading source of premium Texas grown wine grapes. With 400 acres and 38 different grape varieties, Reddy Vineyards offers a plethora of options to craft wines that reflect your brands unique style.
Once you have your producer, creating general guidelines and a plan for your label is key. You will want to know the style of wine and which grape varietals you would like to use.
- Sweet or dry?
- Bright and crisp, or creamy?
- Wine to age or drink right away?
- Sparkling or still?
- Light or full-bodied?
At Reddy Vineyards, their expert winemaking team can not only sell you the grapes you need, but also walk you through the protocols for creating the style of wine you would like. This can be as detailed as you want from the type of yeast, the aging treatment, or the way you finish the wine. Reddy Vineyards provides high-quality centered production to achieve their clients’ desired results.
Choosing a Viticulture Program
Buyers have the opportunity to select from three distinct viticulture programs at Reddy Vineyards, offering different levels of vineyard treatments dependent on the winemaker’s objectives. This allows the buyer the flexibility to choose the plan that best fit their program and budget.
When searching for your winery partner, it’s important to find a wine producer that offers a full array of custom winemaking services. From juicing grapes for transport, to fermentation, aging, cellaring, and bottling, Reddy Vineyards provides full-service production from vineyard to bottle for its clients. This Texas vineyard conducts all production on site, giving prospective brand owners more predictability and access for creating their own brand. Grapes can even be reserved on an annual basis, or via multi-year contracts to ensure you have your preferred vineyard plots to work with.
Start your Own Label Today!
Led by acclaimed winemaker Lood Kotze, responsible for numerous 90+ rated wines, Reddy Vineyards hand-crafted services offer producers the highest quality wines at prices that compete with the largest custom crush facilities. For grape or custom winemaking inquiries, contact the Reddy Vineyards team at [email protected].
FAQ
1. Can I partner with Reddy Vineyards to make my own wine?
Yes! The Reddy’s have built a state-of-the-art facility on their family vineyard in the Texas High Plains AVA, the premier grape-growing area in Texas. You can choose from three viticulture programs based on your level of involvement and overall objectives. Our award-winning winemaking staff will handle the rest, while educating and keeping you informed throughout the process.
2. How much does it cost to start my own private wine label?
Costs vary depending on the viticulture and winemaking programs selected by clients and will reflect the desired varietal, vintage, production, barreling, and packaging. Please reach out to our Executive Winemaker, Lood Kotze, at [email protected].
3. How long does the process take to have my own wine label?
Depending on the program and wine, it may take anywhere from 6 to 24 months, or more. Our team will work with you on the varietal and style to ensure you are 100% satisfied.
4. What kinds of grapes does Reddy Vineyards grow?
With 38 distinct grape varieties grown on site, Reddy Vineyards is a winemaker’s dream. Reddy Vineyards offers the following varieties: Aglianico, Albariño, Alicante Bouschet, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Cinsault, Gewurztraminer, Grenache, Malbec, Marsanne, Merlot, Montepulciano, Mourvedre, Muscat Blanc, Muscat Canelli, Nebbiolo, Negro Amaro, Orange Muscat, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Picpoul, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Refosco, Riesling, Roussanne, Sagrantino, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Tannat, Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional, Trebbiano, Viognier, Zinfandel. Specific grapes subject to availability.
5. Why choose grapes from a Texas vineyard?
Soaring at an elevation of 3305 feet, the vineyards experience a long growing season with warm days and cool nights. Sandy loam soils with deep limestone deposits protect the vines from pests while forcing the vines to produce concentrated grapes. This unique terroir allows us to grow grapes with exceptional balance, depth, flavor, and intensity.