Wholesale
This is not traditional distribution.
Cellar Method represents premium wineries directly to restaurants, bars and independent retailers.
We develop the market, introduce the wines, build trade relationships, secure listings and generate wholesale orders.
The winery retains control of stock, invoicing and fulfilment.
Cellar Method charges 15% of wholesale sales generated through the representation model.
Cellar Method 15% compared with traditional distributor margins of 35–40%
Traditional distribution
35–40%
Cellar Method
15%
More wholesale margin stays with the winery.
Traditional distributor margins commonly sit around 35–40%. Cellar Method charges 15% of wholesale sales generated, with no warehousing fees or inventory purchases.
Three steps. Clear roles.
- 01
We represent
Cellar Method introduces and represents the winery in agreed wholesale markets.
- 02
We sell
We engage restaurants, bars and independent retailers, present the wines, secure listings and develop repeat business.
- 03
You fulfil
The winery retains its stock, invoices the account and ships the order directly.
We provide the sales function.
You retain control of the product and customer relationship.
A leaner route to market.
Traditional wine distribution performs an important role, but its infrastructure carries a significant cost.
Warehousing, inventory, field sales teams, transport and administration all contribute to the margin required by a traditional distributor.
Cellar Method removes much of that infrastructure. By separating sales representation from warehousing and fulfilment, the winery can retain significantly more of the wholesale value of each order.
Designed for gaps in representation.
Cellar Method is particularly suited to wineries that:
- Have strong wines but limited representation in particular markets
- Want to develop restaurants and independent retailers in new states or regions
- Already have fulfilment capability at the winery
- Want greater control over wholesale customer relationships
- Want to test new markets without appointing another traditional distributor
- Want to retain more margin from wholesale sales
Built by someone who has run distribution.
Luke Langton previously built and operated his own wine distribution business, representing more than 20 wine brands and growing it to over $1 million in annual revenue.
That experience informs Cellar Method’s wholesale model — retaining the parts of distribution that create value while removing much of the cost base that makes smaller markets difficult to service profitably.
Have a market where your wines are underrepresented?
If there is a state, city or trade channel where your winery could be doing more business, let’s talk.