Vintner Insurance

Tailored Insurance for Winemakers, Wine Producers & Vineyards

From vineyard to bottle, your craft is built on precision, patience, and passion. But producing wine comes with risks—crop loss, equipment failure, liability claims, and regulatory exposure. That’s why dedicated vintner insurance is critical to keeping your wine business protected and operational.

At Heffernan Insurance Brokers, we design custom vintner insurance programs that address the unique exposures of wineries, vineyards, and wine production facilities. Whether you’re a boutique winemaker or a large-scale commercial producer, we help safeguard your operation, so you can focus on what you do best.

Why Do Winemakers Need Vintner Insurance?

Vintners operate in a hybrid space that combines agriculture, manufacturing, hospitality, and alcohol sales. Without the right insurance, a single loss—like damaged crops or contaminated wine—could impact your brand and bottom line.

Vintner insurance helps protect against:

• Vineyard damage due to hail, drought, frost, or pests
• Equipment failure affecting production or storage
• Liability claims from tastings, tours, or product issues
• Lost income from production shutdowns
• Regulatory fines or compliance-related setbacks

With tailored insurance in place, your winery can weather unexpected disruptions and continue growing your brand.

What Does Vintner Insurance Cover?

We offer a broad portfolio of coverage options that can be combined into a customized policy based on your operations:

Property Insurance

• Coverage for wine cellars, tasting rooms, production buildings, and storage areas
• Protection against fire, theft, weather damage, and vandalism
• Equipment coverage for tanks, presses, chillers, and bottling lines

Crop Insurance

• Yield protection and revenue protection for grape harvests
• Coverage for weather events, pest infestations, and vine disease
• Replanting coverage to restore damaged vineyards

General Liability Insurance

• Third-party bodily injury or property damage claims
• Events, tours, and on-premise incidents

Product Liability Insurance

• Protection from consumer claims related to wine safety or contamination
• Coverage for issues related to bottling, labeling, or spoilage

Liquor Liability Insurance

• Coverage for alcohol-related incidents during tastings or special events
• Required in most states if you serve alcohol

Business Interruption Insurance

• Replaces lost income during covered shutdowns (e.g., fire, breakdowns, crop failure)
• Helps cover fixed expenses while you recover

Equipment Breakdown Insurance

• Covers mechanical failures of production-critical machinery
• Helps minimize downtime and repair costs

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

• Required for wineries with employees
• Covers vineyard workers, production staff, and hospitality teams

Who Needs Vintner Insurance?

We serve wine operations of all sizes and types, including:

• Winemakers and wine producers (estate wineries, cooperatives, commercial bottlers)
• Vineyard owners growing wine grapes
• Wineries with tasting rooms, retail shops, or event venues
• E-commerce wine businesses and online retailers
• Family-run wineries and generational vineyards
• Contract producers or custom crush facilities
• Wine brands with national distribution

If you’re producing, bottling, or selling wine—you need specialized protection.

How Much Does Vintner Insurance Cost?

Premiums depend on several factors, including:

• Acreage and size of the wine operation
• Value of your buildings, equipment, and inventory
• Crop yield history and geographic exposure
• Number of employees and alcohol service operations
• Claims history and risk management practices
• Coverage limits and optional endorsements

At Heffernan, we work with you to build a cost-effective program that reflects your operation’s risk profile and budget.