Buying wine: why choose short supply chains?

Is the Era of Farmers' Markets Making a Comeback in the World of Wine?

Peasant and viticultural agriculture are on the brink of a new revolution. Orchestrated by distributors, the economic growth of recent years has hit local producers and cooperatives hard. With volume-based pricing and a focus on profit over the winemaker, the use of high-carbon transportation, and the disconnection between the customer and the producer, we have lost touch.

We have disconnected from wine, sometimes losing traceability. We have disconnected from each other, forgetting why we buy and produce wine. We have disconnected from our terroirs, which have become mere sources of profit. And we have disconnected from our passion, turning wine into an industry instead of honoring the vine.

What if choosing short supply chains meant reconnecting with the true taste of wine?

What is a Short Supply Chain?

When we talk about a short supply chain, we are specifically referring to a short distribution network. That is, there is at most one intermediary between the people who produced the bottle you’re going to taste and you. It’s a responsible consumption model aligned with the trend of eating better and reducing our carbon footprint. This movement is strong in agriculture for fruits, vegetables, and cheeses, and in wine, it is closely tied to organic farming practices, sustainable viticulture, and local consumption networks.

The common thread? A commitment to taking care of nature and those who enhance it through their work.

Thus, the short supply chain is a way to buy your wine directly from the property, support the producers directly, and appreciate the content of your glass while also tasting their story.

Why Buy Wine in a Short Supply Chain?

In the current context, we vote with our wallets. Buying wine in a short supply chain supports a model:

• That protects the environment by having a low ecological impact, limiting transportation. The bottle will come straight from the cellar to your door, nothing more.

• That compensates producers fairly by offering the right price. Every intermediary takes a margin, and with each margin, our winemakers are suffocated. Fewer intermediaries = lower costs! Prices are generally lower for you, and the money goes directly to the producer.

• That fosters social connections and authenticity. Wine is first and foremost a story between a terroir and a producer. Taste more than just wine, taste an authentic story and value the producer for their character, not just the price of their bottle.

• That supports the production of good wine. You value each winemaker's personality and allow them to receive direct payment. You give them the opportunity to focus on making great products instead of simply maximizing vineyard profits.

Wine is made by producers, not distributors. Who would you like to support?

How to Buy Wine Through Short Supply Chains? Online and Offline

The shortest supply chain is direct sales at the property. Every estate has a tasting area to welcome potential customers. But who could visit each estate to buy their wine? The second level involves markets, wine fairs, and cooperatives where some winemakers choose to sell their wines. But this remains rare and complicated, as winemakers have little time to manage sales. Direct-to-consumer online sales are increasingly becoming the obvious choice in the wine world. The web even allows smaller producers to have a platform where they can tell their story and easily sell the contents of their cellars at low cost.

On Avenue des Vins, producers are just a click away. We offer an online marketplace where the winemaker comes to sell their wines and share their story. You can explore our selection of wines through different regions, AOCs, AOPs, appellations, cuvées, and vintages to find the bottle that entices you.

We then facilitate contact with producers through a dedicated profile page filled out by each winemaker. The sale itself directly compensates the winemaker.

And as a bonus? We cover part of the delivery cost and arrange it with our partner DHL, ensuring a smooth delivery from the cellar to your living room.

FAQ - Short supply chain wine

What is a short supply chain in wine?

In wine, a short supply chain is a distribution network with at most one intermediary between the winemaker and you. It is a responsible consumption model, often tied to organic or sustainable farming, that brings the producer closer to the person enjoying the glass.

Why buy wine directly from the winemaker?

Buying direct from the winemaker cuts out intermediary margins and lets you pay a fair price that goes straight to the producer. You also gain traceability and support the grower's work rather than the distributors'.

Is wine bought through short supply chains cheaper?

Often yes. Every intermediary takes a margin, so fewer intermediaries means lower costs. Prices are generally lower and reflect the property price, the one set by the winemaker at the estate.

How can I buy wine through a short supply chain online?

Direct sales from the estate through the web have become the simplest option. On a marketplace like Avenue des Vins, the winemaker sells their own cuvées and shares their story, and you can browse regions, AOCs, cuvées and vintages in a few clicks.

Does a short supply chain guarantee better traceability?

Yes. With at most one intermediary, you know who produced your bottle and where it comes from. The wine is shipped directly and the relationship with the producer stays transparent, from the terroir to your glass.