A term coined in the 1990s for special winegrowing companies. The basic idea is based on the fact that there are no wineries and in some cases no vineyards of their own. Flexible premises and vineyards are rented or grapes are purchased and wines are produced with "flying personnel". These companies are organised in different ways. There is also the concept of buying wines produced according to predetermined guidelines from winegrowers/wineries and only carrying out the ageing, bottling, labelling and marketing. Examples of this type of wine production and marketing are Marchiopolo (Italy), Mitolo (Australia) and Telmo Rodríguez (Spain).
Another business model is the so-called urban wineries based in cities. These companies process grapes from their own vineyards, often located far away, and offer various services, such as wine production by hobby winemakers accompanied by counselling. See also under producers and wineries.
The glossary is a monumental achievement and one of the most important contributions to wine knowledge. Of all the encyclopaedias I use on the subject of wine, it is by far the most important. That was the case ten years ago and it hasn't changed since.
Andreas Essl
Autor, Modena