Supporting Vineyard Insurance Services Across the West

From Oregon’s lush wine valleys to boutique producers in New Mexico, agents are receiving more inquiries about vineyard insurance services, often paired with winery exposures. 

While a vineyard and winery may operate under one brand, they represent two distinct insurance profiles:

 

• Vineyards are agricultural operations focused on growing grapes.
• Wineries include manufacturing, storage, and hospitality exposures, which significantly increase underwriting complexity.

At Stroud, we help agents navigate these distinctions so they can prepare stronger submissions, get faster answers, and confidently place vineyard insurance services across the West.

 

Understand the Full Risk Picture for Vineyard Insurance Services and Wineries

When a business includes both grape growing and wine production, it’s important for agents to present clear information about the exposures tied to both sets of activities so that underwriters have a clear understanding of the entire operation. 

 

Vineyard Risk Questions (Agricultural Operations)

 

To understand the agricultural side of the risk, and quote vineyard insurance services accurately, ask your client:

 

• What chemicals are applied, and how is drift managed?
• What specialized agricultural equipment is used, and is it stored indoors or out?
• Are contractors or third-party vendors involved in field operations?
• Is any property (equipment or harvested grapes) stored off premises?

Vineyard information is typically more straightforward and is generally the simpler part of the account to place.

 

Winery Risk Questions (Processing, Storage, Hospitality)

 

Once you’ve clarified the vineyard exposures, ask your client the following questions about their winery operations:

 

• Is there wine production or storage on-site?
• Are there tasting rooms, tours, or hosted events? 
• Are there chillers, fermentation rooms, or temperature-controlled storage areas?
• Do they store wine for others?
• Do they perform any custom crush or wine manufacturing for outside clients?

 

Both / Context-Dependent Risk Questions

 

Some risks apply to both vineyards and wineries depending on the specifics:

 

• Are contractors or third-party vendors involved?
  • Vineyards: field labor
  • Wineries: bottling vendors, event catering

 

• Is property ever stored off premises?
  • More commonly winery-related for wine storage, but can apply to vineyards for equipment or harvested grapes.

Not sure how to categorize something? Include it anyway and we’ll help you sort it out!

 

 

What to Include in Vineyard & Winery Submissions

 

For Vineyards (Growing Operations)

 

Include:

• Full description of farming operations
• Chemical use and drift mitigation
• Equipment lists and storage details
• Use of contractors or seasonal labor
• Off-premises equipment or crop storage

These details help determine eligibility for agricultural appetites and shape property, equipment, and liability coverage. 

 

For Wineries (Processing, Storage, Hospitality)

 

Include:

• Annual production volume and processing practices
• Wine stock and storage details (including temperature control)
• Any offsite storage or bailee exposure
• Tasting room operations
• Tours, events, and alcohol service
• Food service details
• Kitchen type must be specified due to appetite limitations
• Custom crush or wine manufacturing for others
• Specialty winemaking or storage equipment schedules

This information directly impacts appetite, limits, and coverage recommendations.

 

Winery Appetite Rules: What Must Be Flagged Early

 To help you submit winery risks more effectively through, here are some key appetite guidelines to keep in mind:

 

1. A vineyard must be part of the account.

• No standalone winery operations will be considered.

2. Kitchen exposures must be defined clearly.

• Outside appetite: Full restaurants or commercial kitchens
• Generally acceptable: Light fare such as charcuterie boards, snacks/appetizers, and simple pizza oven setups

3. Event exposure is a major appetite driver.

• May be acceptable: Occasional weddings or corporate events (a separate events policy may be required)
• Not within appetite: Operations functioning primarily as an event or wedding venue
• Acceptable: Wine-driven events intended to support wine sales, e.g., weekly live music, seasonal tasting events, “wine-on-the-patio” gatherings.

 

 

Let’s Talk About Your Vineyard Clients

 

We know that vineyard insurance services aren’t one-size-fits-all, especially when winery exposures are involved.

We’re here to help you get clear answers, navigate appetite, and support smarter coverage decisions.

With over 60 years of agricultural insurance experience and strong partnerships with top-rated markets, we help agents meet the insurance needs of American agriculture, including vineyard and winery operations, across our 18-state service area. We’re also excited about how our growing collaboration with Big I Oregon and Big I Minnesota, is helping us stay closely connected to regional agent communities and evolving vineyard and winery needs.

We’re here to help you get clear answers, navigate appetite, and support smarter coverage decisions.
Want to talk through a specific submission? Need help navigating appetite?

Use our Farm and Ranch Online Quote Request Form or reach out to our team anytime—we’re happy to help you place a combined vineyard/winery business with confidence!