vintners

A vintner is a person involved in the production of wine, from growing grapes to bottling and selling wine. In contemporary usage, the term often refers to the proprietor or operator of a winery.

Vintners oversee viticulture and winemaking processes: choosing grape varieties and vineyard sites, tending vines, harvesting, supervising fermentation, aging, blending, and bottling. They may run tasting rooms, oversee labeling, distribution, and marketing, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Roles and scales: Some vintners own and operate small family estates; others manage large commercial wineries. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with winegrower or winemaker, though it can emphasize ownership of the vineyard and production facilities.

Context and history: Historically, vintners were local producers serving regional markets; in modern usage the term covers boutique operations and large-scale producers, with varying levels of direct-to-consumer engagement. Legal definitions and industry usage vary by country and region.

Vintners work at the intersection of agriculture, science, and commerce, requiring knowledge of viticulture, fermentation, aging, and market dynamics.