Wine grower and winemaker: do you know the difference?

When tasting wine, its "craftsperson" sometimes comes to mind when talking about the winemaker or wine grower. However, these terms are often used indiscriminately and refer to two very different occupations.

When tasting wine, its "craftsperson" sometimes comes to mind when talking about the winemaker or wine grower. However, these terms are often used indiscriminately and refer to two very different occupations. So, how do you avoid confusing one with the other? We will explain the difference between wine grower and winemaker.  

1-  Wine grower: gardener of the vineyard  

What does he do?

Considered as the "gardener of the vineyard", the wine grower takes care of the planting, growth and well-being of the vines. He is mainly involved in growing the best possible grape in order to produce high-quality wine. Owner of his plantations, the wine grower is also involved in the grape harvesting. Once his grapes have been harvested, the wine grower gives the fruit of his labour to a neighbouring estate, a cooperative cellar or even a wine merchant. They in turn produce the wine.  

Where does he work ?

As you now know, the wine grower works exclusively in the vineyards. This is precisely where the wine grower differs from the winemaker. Because, as we will see, the winemaker's task is not exclusively limited to the vines.

2- Winemaker: from the vine to the bottling

What does he do?

Unlike the winemaker, the winemaker is involved in the entire process of making a wine, from vine maintenance to bottling. But the winegrower's task does not stop there. Once the nectar is captured, he must manage a crucial step: the marketing of his wines, which includes negotiations with suppliers (wine merchants, restaurants, private individuals) and, if he works alone, the communication and promotion of the cuvées. on the internet (online sales sites, social networks) as well as in wine salons. When the winery has a vault, it is usually the winemaker who takes care of receiving the customers for the tastings.

Where does he work ?

Given its multicast, the winemaker does not have one, but several places of work. In fact, if the winemaker works exclusively in the vineyards, the winemaker knows the outdoors as well as the cellars, cellars and wineries.