The Vision
For Fluid Wine Partners, it’s not what we do but how we do it. The business of wine is not something to be entered into lightly and at Gemini Consulting we understand the balance between lifestyle and profitability. The saying goes “To make a small fortune in the wine industry you must start with a large one.” Certainly not the type of proverb you want to hear when envisioning your life’s dream. At Fluid, we don’t believe in that saying because if you have the right cost structure, product mix, staffing, & marketing you can be successful. With any business it must ultimately be approached from a financial perspective. You have worked your entire life to realize this dream, now it is time to maximize that investment to solidify your legacy or ensure a lucrative exit strategy.
Grape prices are increasing, labor costs are on the rise, consumers are savvy and increasingly demanding. Todays winery owner/operator has to be better equipped than ever to navigate this new and constantly evolving landscape. The days of being able to hang an “open sign” on the front door of your winery and watch the money come in are unfortunately long gone. There is good news though, the industry continues to grow, sales are increasing, prices are rising and wine consumption is at an all time high.
Fluid Wine Partners was created to give industry and professional insight to the private winery owner and allow them to access the skills and expertise usually only available to multinational billion dollar firms. Each winery has it’s own unique story to tell…this is a special industry where friendships are made and life experiences are created. It is our goal at Gemini to make sure these stories are told for generations to come.
Our Mission
Anyone can come in and tell you what your doing wrong, real success is attained by developing and implementing solutions. This is how we approach our clients’ business opportunities. We first identify the ultimate goal and then focus our strategy to achieve that end game. The wine business is complex and cutting through the “noise” is key to building a solid foundation. Most winery owners try to do too much and by spreading resources thin, the business and investments are put at risk essentially ending the dream. In order to gain clarity, you have to decide what NOT to do.
Our team at Fluid can help determine your core competencies, strengths and most importantly the opportunities. As an owner, you want to balance the work with the lifestyle and make some money along the way. The advantage to brining in a consultant is that of gaining a fresh perspective and unique insight. We have assisted wineries throughout the West Coast ranging from start-ups to wineries producing over 300,000 cases annually. The key to success regardless of scale is staying true to your strategy, maximizing your resources, eliminating unnecessary costs & creating a product/experience that will engage your customers. Fluid Wine Partners is a resource of ideas & solutions with a proven track record of success, let us help you realize the true potential of your winery.
Fluid Wine Partners selects clients carefully, not as prospects but as partners. Below you will find a list of some of the organizations we have helped to achieve their goals. Are you ready to take your winery to the next level? Contact us today to find out more about Gemini Consulting.
Current Winery Clients
At Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards, we focus on the wines on which Thekla and Richard Sanford built their reputation – the cool growing varietals best suited to the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes predominate and form the core of the Alma Rosa Winery Vineyards product line.
Proprietor Ken Volk has been making Santa Barbara and Central Coast wines for more than a quarter century. Perhaps best known as the founder of Wild Horse Winery, Ken has earned a reputation for crafting world-class wines, particularly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Santa Maria Valley.
Craig Jaffurs has been making wines since 1989. He is a refugee from the aerospace industry where he spent 17 years as a cost analyst. Jaffurs Wine Cellars, whose winery is located in the city of Santa Barbara, has focused entirely on red and white Rhône-style wines since opening in 1994.
A pioneer in Santa Barbara County, Ken Brown has devoted his career to the pursuit of great Pinot Noir. His craft is his passion and with a very small production of only 3,000 cases per year, he has hands-on involvement in every phase of the winegrowing process, which is just the way he likes it.
Located in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country, the wines from Westerly begin in the vineyards of small family-owned growers. The relationship between farmer and vintner is vital in our pursuit of crafting the best wines possible. Westerly wines are sourced from a diverse selection of vineyards that have a proven track record of producing low yields, profound character, and the highest quality fruit.
The Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Viognier and Syrah grapes from Sunstone’s certified organic vineyards are crafted by winemaker (and founder Fred and Linda Rice’s son) Bion Rice into wines marked by firm structure with a balanced, sophisticated mouthfeel. Bion strives to translate the unique character of the estate into a wine that is true to the terroir
Our wines reflect the place in which they’re grown: the storied Santa Ynez Valley. Every bottle was grown on a single piece of land, the Brave & Maiden Estate.
We believe the best wines start in the vineyard and pride ourselves on precision farming. Each vineyard is meticulously farmed to produce low yields, hand harvested and farmed using only organic practices.
Buttonwood Farm is a small gem set amidst the splendor of Santa Barbara County’s Santa Ynez Valley. The farm is a shining example of the vision of our founder, Betty Williams. Betty was always ahead of her time, and in the 60’s set out to create a working farm based on good practices for people, animals and the earth. First there were horses, then organic vegetables and finally, a vineyard.
Overlooking lush vineyards with sweeping views of the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon, Belle Fiore Estate & Winery’s Old World elegance inspires a special feeling of magic and romance. Conveniently located just a few miles from Ashland and Interstate 5, visitors will be delighted with our expansive grounds, enchanting gardens, numerous creative settings, breathtaking views and natural seclusion.
Nestled in the seaside foothills of Santa Barbara County is a small family-owned winery with big ideas. Jorian Hill Vineyards™ produces exceptional small-lot, estate-grown wines using the meticulous techniques of France’s Rhône Valley and according to the best winemaking traditions of California.
The grandest wines are those that describe the particular zone from which the grapes originate. This phenomenon is “Ground Effect.” This small wine company is dedicated to exploring this powerful relationship between wine and earth. A wine without cause is a wine without effect…
The Sanger Family of Wines are three brands united to share the Mediterranean wine experience as we enjoy it here on the Central Coast. Consilience, Tre Anelli, and Marianello share a heritage that is equal parts California Central Coast and Old World, with each producing unique wines. The brands united as The Sanger Family of Wines in December 2013 and are based in Los Olivos, California.
Get in touch with Ground Effects
What can we help you with today?
With over 20 years of wine and hospitality experience and a proven track record of building sales both domestically and internationally, we can put that know-how to work for you. Most small to mid-size wineries do not have the resources to bring on full time executive level management and they don’t have to. We are able to offer that insight on a project basis, whether it is from sourcing, 
blending, bottling, marketing, selling, mergers acquisitions, distributor management programming or just increasing your bottom line, we have the experience to help.
Please use the form on the left to contact us today to set up a no obligation private consultation to explore how we can help you realize your dreams of winery ownership.
Cheers,
John R. Kochis
805.729.3349