When to Consider Captive Insurance for Vintners
Vintners and Growers
Keep the Good Times Flowing with our Insurance for Wineries, Vintners & Growers
Customized vineyard & winery insurance coverage to keep your business (and grapes) flourishing
Wineries, Vintners, and Growers
What Insurance is Right for You?
As a winery owner, grower, or manufacturer, you know there’s more to making good wine than simply growing grapes. With all the time and work that goes into each bottle, you need the right insurance to protect you from exposures. Like grapes, insurance comes in many varieties and can be complex.
Robust Insurance for Wineries
Vintner and winery insurance brokers need to understand the risks and challenges you face with your business.
At Heffernan Insurance Brokers, we have a dedicated team whose main goal is to get you the coverage and protection needed for your wine business before disaster strikes.
Our insurance includes more than just coverage – we also offer extensive risk management strategies, webinars, and other resources – with the ultimate goal to save you money while protecting your most important assets.
We’re familiar with the winemaking process from start to finish.
Whether your business is family-owned or global, your coverage will be tailored to fit your operation’s needs – managing applicable agricultural, manufacturing, and hospitality exposures.
We have custom policies for the specific aspect your wine business focuses on in the market.
Who Needs Winery Insurance, Vintners Insurance, & Wine Growers Insurance?
Winery insurance is for professionals or businesses in the wine industry like wineries, vintners, wine growers, and other related businesses.
Some common wine businesses that are covered by our insurance programs include:
- Wineries
- Wine Shops
- Wine Bars
- Vintner Businesses
- Wine Growers
- Wine Vineyards
- Wine Estates
- Vineyards
- Tasting Rooms
- Transportation / Delivery
- Overnight Guests
- Wine Tours / Wine Events
- Wine Consultants
- Wine Co-operatives
- Wine Crush Facilities
- Wine Conglomerates
- Wine Exporters
- Wine Manufacturers
- Wine Growers
- Wine Cellaring Businesses
- Catering
- Custom crushing operations
- Bottling
- Special Events, Winemaker Dinners, Weddings, etc.
Our comprehensive wine and vineyard insurance packages are tailored to your individual operations; whether you’re a vertically integrated winery, wine negociant or operate an individual tasting room. Whether you’re producing millions of cases per year, or less than a thousand, we have a solution for you.
Winery / Vintner Policy Details
A comprehensive insurance policy should cover your wines and your wine property, as both are vulnerable to loss. A shipment of wine could be damaged in transit, a fire, or during an earthquake.
Your wine is unique and so should your winery insurance policy. Don’t let your losses total in the millions. We can work with you to create the custom winery insurance policy you need.
Grower Policy Details
Wine growers and vineyards require unique insurance policies to protect vineyard assets and crop. Our coverage is tailor-made for vineyards, farm vineyards / wine orchards, custom crush facilities, and vineyard housing. Each policy should contain personal liability coverage for accidents or injuries that may occur on property.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to get the insurance coverage you need for your vineyard.
Risk Management for Winery, Vineyard, and Vintner Businesses
From property losses, to earthquake damage, to damaged wine barrels, don’t let your wine or your grapes cause you to figure out how to recover from expensive losses without a plan in place.
There are 5 main risks for wineries and vineyard businesses:
- Damage of buildings & inventory. This is commonly a result of a natural disaster from earthquakes or fires. Natural catastrophes pose a very significant threat to wineries and vineyards.
- Wine leakage. Whether the wine leakage is caused by a problem in the storage or as a result of transportation damage, you’ll be losing money if you’re not properly covered.
- Wine stock contamination. Wines can become contaminated from pesticides, arsenic, fungus, and many other outside contaminants such as smoke (smoke taint). Contamination results in an entire stock being lost. The last thing you want is for your wine stock to become unusable.
- Business interruption. As the name suggests, business interruption insurance is important when it may take some time before a business can get back to business as usual. Buildings may be unsafe, employees may be unsafe, or even property or equipment may need to be repaired. In situations outside of your control, business interruption insurance is an important need in our world today.
- Liability insurance. Wineries offering tastings face the same liability issues as bars. Employees serving minors or inebriated individuals are a major concern. You may also be held responsible for any injuries that may occur while someone is on premises.
Wine Insurance Programs to Help You Mitigate Risk
Liability
- Non-owned auto policy
- Accident reports for guest injury
- Emergency Action Plan
- Fall Protection
- Lockout/Tagout
- Respiratory Protection
- Hazard Communication
- Forklift
- Confined Space
- Hearing Conservation
- Heat Illness
Property
- Property Damages
- Wine stock programs and transit
- Mobile equipment
- Equipment breakdown
- Quake and flood
- Crop insurance
- Disaster insurance
- Bonds
Other Coverages
- Employee benefits
- Personal insurance including owner occupied dwellings
- Workers’ compensation with employee housing
- Farm and commercial auto
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore key questions about wineries, vineyards, and growers.
What is Winery Insurance?
Winery insurance is specialized commercial coverage designed to protect wineries from risks associated with wine production, storage, and distribution.
What does Winery Insurance cover?
Winery insurance covers risks specific to wine production, storage, and distribution. This includes property damage, equipment breakdown, product liability, and business interruption. It also protects against spoilage, contamination, and vineyard-specific perils like frost or pests. Coverage may extend to tasting rooms, events, and retail operations, ensuring smooth operations even during unexpected events.
Who needs Winery Insurance?
Winery insurance is essential for vineyard owners, wine producers, and winery operators. It’s crucial for businesses involved in wine storage, distribution, and retail services. Those hosting wine-tasting events or operating tasting rooms should also consider winery insurance to safeguard their operations.
What are the costs of Winery Insurance?
Winery insurance costs vary widely based on the winery’s size, location, production volume, and specific coverage needs. Premiums typically range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars annually. Factors like property value, equipment costs, and liability coverage determine the cost. Additional coverages like spoilage, contamination, and business interruption also influence the overall cost. Working with an experienced broker can help tailor a policy to meet the unique needs of your winery while optimizing costs.
How to get Wine Insurance?
Contact an experienced insurance broker specializing in wine business insurance. Provide details about your operations, including production volume, property value, and unique risks. The broker will tailor a policy to fit your needs and offer quotes from various insurers. After selecting a policy, the broker will guide you through the application and underwriting process to secure your coverage.
What is Vineyard Insurance?
Vineyard Insurance is a specialized type of coverage designed to protect vineyards from unique risks associated with grape growing and wine production.
What does Vineyard Insurance cover?
Vineyard insurance covers risks specific to grape growing and wine production. It typically includes property damage, crop loss due to weather events like frost or hail, and liability protection. Additional coverage may include equipment breakdown, business interruption, and contamination, ensuring continuous vineyard operations. Tailored policies can also cover workers’ compensation and grape transportation.
Who needs Vineyard Insurance?
Vineyard insurance is crucial for vineyard owners and operators involved in grape growing and wine production. Businesses managing vineyard properties or leasing land for cultivation should also consider vineyard insurance services to protect their investments.
What are the costs of Vineyard Insurance?
Vineyard insurance costs vary based on the vineyard’s size, location, and specific coverage needs. Premiums typically range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars annually. Key factors include property value, crop value, and liability coverage. Additional coverages like equipment breakdown, business interruption, and crop loss due to weather events can also affect the cost. Consulting with an experienced broker ensures a policy tailored to your vineyard’s needs.
How do I get Vineyard Insurance?
Contact an experienced insurance broker who specializes in agricultural or vineyard coverage. Provide details about your vineyard operations, including location, crop value, and specific risks. The broker will tailor a policy and offer quotes from various insurers. Once you select a policy, the broker will guide you through the application and underwriting process to secure your coverage.
What is Growers Insurance?
Grower’s insurance protects agricultural producers, including vineyard owners, from risks like crop loss due to weather events (frost, hail, drought) and threats from pests and diseases
What does Growers Insurance cover?
Grower’s insurance covers risks for agricultural producers, including vineyard owners. It typically includes crop loss coverage due to weather events, pests, and diseases. Liability, equipment breakdown, and business interruption coverage are also common, ensuring growers can sustain operations despite unexpected events. Tailored policies may cover workers’ compensation and transportation of harvested crops.
Who needs Growers Insurance?
Grower’s insurance is essential for agricultural producers, including vineyard owners, involved in crop production. It’s critical for those facing risks like weather events, pests, and diseases. Any agricultural entity can benefit from grower’s insurance to safeguard operations.
What are the costs of Growers Insurance?
Grower’s insurance costs vary depending on the agricultural operation’s size, location, and coverage needs. Premiums typically range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars annually. Factors like crop value, property value, and liability coverage determine the cost. Additional coverages, such as equipment breakdown, business interruption, and crop loss due to weather, can also influence the overall cost. An experienced broker can help tailor a policy to your specific needs.
How do I get Growers Insurance?
Contact an experienced insurance broker specializing in grower’s insurance. Provide details about your growing operations, including crop type, location, and unique risks. The broker will tailor a policy to fit your needs and provide quotes from various insurers. After selecting a policy, the broker will guide you through the application and underwriting process to secure your coverage.
How to Choose the Right Wine Insurance Policy
For an overview of the wine insurance marketplace, check out our videos and webcasts.
Why Heffernan?
Heffernan Insurance Brokers has been a trusted leader in delivering exceptional coverage in winery insurance, vintner insurance, and wine grower insurance for many years. Heffernan maintains its leadership in the industry by being members of reputable organizations like the Wine Institute, the Wine Industry Network (WIN), Wine Industry Advisors, Napa Valley Chamber of Commerce, Napa Valley Grape Growers, and many others.
Get a Custom Wine Insurance Quote Today
We believe that just like wine, you want an insurance broker that is bold, balanced and has a good finish! We believe we are the right wine insurance broker for you. Connect with our team leaders today and learn more about your policy options to stay well protected and save money!
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Tools & Resources
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