Steven Trenholme, with 30 years' experience in the industry, runs an intense one-day seminar on how to break into the business.
All wines sold in Ontario must be represented by an agent - and the holy grail is to pick a wine that the LCBO agrees to take and then you just need to ensure steady supply and collect your percentage. Alas that's not easy to achieve. Obviously all the big sellers are represented already, but there are always new wineries trying to break into the Ontario market.
There's also the thriving restaurant "consignment" market that specifically seeks wines not available at the LCBO, and they buy by the case. Novelty is a big plus for that market.
But one key thing to remember is that no matter how good the wine is, it won't sell itself: so make sure you've got some salesman in you...
The Importing Wine for Pleasure and Profit seminar will be held on Saturday June 19th at the Old Mill Inn & Spa. The $295 tab includes a day-long seminar, lunch, materials and a one-month email consulting service.
Trenholme says that "over the years, a number of graduates have gone on to establish successful agencies, including Dionysus, RKW, World Wine Cellars, B&W Wines, Hobbs & Co, among others."
For more info, contact cstrenholme@sympatico.ca
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