How to Import Wine: An Insider's Guide

by Deborah M. Gray

Since the 2011 publication of the first edition of How to Import Wine tectonic change has fundamentally reshaped the US wine business landscape. This comprehensively revised edition puts this new environment in a manageable, actionable context so that novices and veterans alike will be able to identify dangers and new opportunities in such areas as federal and state regulations, evolving distribution practices, the impact of social media and how to appeal to the new emerging tastemakers: Millennials. Drawing on her real-world experience of these new dynamics, Deborah M. Gray provides essential tools for the establishment of a progressive US wine importing business. As in her first book, she details the critical considerations in branding, packaging, pricing, licensing and regulations, shipping, warehousing, marketing, and more. The book is filled with specific examples of importing triumphs and failures, with particular interest paid to arguably the most important element of business success: acquiring and maintaining effective distribution.

Genres: Wine

304 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2011

About the author

Deborah M. Gray, an Australian native, founded her wine importing company in 1992 with her family’s brand and a collection of iconic, family-owned wineries from around Australia. She has written the first book in print on wine importing and distribution, How To Import Wine - An Insider's Guide, based on her own experience. In December, 2011 her book was recognized as “Best U.S. Professional Wine Book 2011” by Gourmand International. In March, 2012, her book placed second in “Best World Professional Wine Book 2011” in Paris with entries from 63 countries. In addition to Australia, she has lived in England, Spain, New Caledonia and several states in the US. She currently lives in southern California with her husband, two sons and beloved rescue dogs. She consults to the wine industry and teaches part-time at SDSU. Her second wine business book released December, 2015 and a revised 2nd edition How to Import Wine launched in October, 2018.

Reviews

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoiler alert: Though the title is deceptively novelistic, this isn’t a Swedish detective thriller. It’s a trade guidebook about importing wine into the US and developing a market for it, and, for a genre that tends toward the dry, it’s an engaging and highly readable one at that. Sidebar: take it from a person who makes his living in the wine industry, the info on distributors and distribution channels herein is invaluable.

[Isabel Rebelo da Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

A GREAT book and one of teh few ones on the market if you want to start a wine import business. It helped a lot to understand how teh business work and all the procedures. I searched for a long time for information and books about wine import and couldn't find anything until I came across this book. It is very well written, has the essential information, and it is easy to read. I loved it!

[Bryce Gillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely essential if you’re new to importing wine or already in the business. Undoubtedly the most comprehensive source of information you need and even that which you never knew you needed. Incredibly well written. Informative and instructive without the boring “textbook element” so many of these books seem to gravitate to.

[Edgar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read. It was very informative and I learned a great deal. What I liked best about this book was its straightforward approach on the subject. I bought this book when the opportunity to import wines presented itself and I needed a straightforward informative book.

[JT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive, filled with useful information, but still readable. Highly recommended.

[Jackie Duvieilh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't imagine anyone who wasn't in the business enjoying this book and after reading it, I'm not sure you would want to get in the business. I liked her personal stories, but everything else was boring although accurate.