Micro Wineries: The New Trend Established in France!

“Micro-wineries”—or “small wineries” in French—are a relatively new phenomenon. Originating in the United States in the 1990s, the concept is simple: producing wine in small urban facilities.

How did these wineries conquer the world?

It was in 2008 in Brooklyn, New York, that things really took off. The first micro-winery opened in a city with a global reach. Its name?“Red Hook Winery,”founded by Mark Snyder and two of his friends. The project, which had a slow start, eventually made a splash. The American trend spread worldwide and gained increasing momentum. The first step was taken in Asia, with the opening in 2010 of a micro winery, this time in Hong Kong. Many enthusiasts began developing the concept in their own cities, and openings multiplied. The milestone was officially reached in Russia in 2010 with the opening of a micro winery on the shores of the Black Sea by a wine enthusiast, Alexey Tolstoy!

In France, Marseille was where the first step was taken. The opening of“Microcosmos”in early 2012 thus marked the beginning of this new trend. Next came London, where London Cru—Europe’s best-known micro-winery—was founded in 2013. The phenomenon is thus gaining serious momentum. In Paris, however, it wasn’t until 2015 that two urban wineries opened their doors: “LaWinerie Parisienne”and“Les Vignerons Parisiens.”

How do you make wine in the city?

These organizations may, of course, own their own vineyards and choose to carry out the winemaking process in cellars separate from those on their estates. Otherwise, they purchase grapes from vineyards and transport them to their urban cellars under optimal conditions to preserve the fruit’s quality. All subsequent steps, right up to bottling, are then carried out in these micro-wineries.

Why Are Micro-Wineries Revitalizing Cities?

Today, the trend is toward a connection to local products. The countryside is increasingly making its way into our cities, and wine is no exception! These “Urban Wineries” give us the chance to reconnect with the world of winemaking, to see the work that goes into it, to understand it, and to meet the people who produce it. And all of this right on our doorstep—it’s a revolution! The pace of life in big cities is nothing like that of a winemaker. And yet! Stepping out of your home to see grapes in the midst of winemaking isn’t common, but it’s now becoming possible.

Beyond producing quality wines, these micro-wineries are located right where people drink wine. They therefore have a legitimate place and a real role to play, both in today’s wine world and in the future. Whether in New York, London, or 50 years after the closure of Bercy in Paris, micro-wineries no longer seem to be just a passing trend, but real businesses seizing a market full of opportunities.

To sum it up, there’s just one thing to say: go for it!