In everyday language "winery" and "producer" are used as synonyms, but behind a label they make a real difference. The winery is the business that turns grapes into wine, ages, bottles and sells it — often from grapes or must bought from several growers, sometimes from wine already made by others. The producer, or winegrower, is the farmer who tends their own vines and vinifies their own grapes in the estate cellar: "wine is made in the vineyard".
Between the two stand precise figures: the grape grower, who farms the grapes and delivers them without making wine; the independent winegrower, who follows the whole chain from bunch to bottle; the cooperative winery, where several growers deliver their grapes to a shared cellar. Supporting a winegrower means rewarding those who work the land themselves and guarantee traceability from bunch to bottle.
This is why Wine at Wine classifies every listing with a precise type, in three branches: those who make the wine, those who sell or host it, those who represent or serve it. The type appears on the listing and filters the directory.
Producers
Those who make wine: wineries, independent growers, grape growers, cooperatives.
- Winery
- The business that turns grapes into wine, ages, bottles and markets it, also from purchased grapes or wine.
- Independent winegrower
- Grows their own vines, vinifies their own grapes, bottles and sells: the whole chain in one hand (FIVI in Italy).
- Grape grower
- Grows grapes and sells or delivers them to wineries and cooperatives, without making wine.
- Cooperative winery
- A company of growers who deliver their grapes to the shared winery, which vinifies and sells.
- Farm with vineyard
- Wine alongside other productions: olive oil, crops, livestock, farm stays.
- Distillery / Sparkling wine house
- Grappa and spirits, or sparkling wine production also for third parties.
Trade and hospitality
Those who sell or serve wine: wine shops, restaurants, importers, online shops, wine hotels.
- Wine shop
- Retail sale of wine, often with tastings.
- Restaurant / Wine bar
- Restaurants with a curated wine list, wine bars, osterie.
- Importer / Distributor
- Wholesale and distribution, in Italy and abroad.
- Online wine shop
- Online sale of wine and related products.
- Farm stay / Wine hotel
- Hospitality among the vineyards: farm stays, wine resorts, relais.
Organisations and services
Those who represent, train, tell or serve the world of wine.
- Protection consortium
- The body that protects and promotes an appellation.
- Association
- Associations of producers, sommeliers, tasters (FIVI, AIS, ONAV, Slow Wine…).
- Wine school / Academy
- Courses, masters, training for professionals and enthusiasts.
- Wine tour operator
- Itineraries, visits, organised experiences among wineries.
- Fair / Event
- Wine fairs, shows, festivals.
- Agency / Wine services
- Marketing, communication, consulting, services for wineries and horeca.