Description:  When Ed Sbragia started Sbragia Family Vineyards, it was an accomplishment that was nearly a century in the making. His grandfather moved from Italy to California in 1904 to work in the wineries just north of San Francisco. In the 1940s, Mr. Sbragia’s father bought property in the Dry Creek Valley near Healdsburg and planted zinfandel grapes, which he sold to local winemakers and used for his own home wine.

Source:  NYTimes.com

Date: Apr 25, 2013

Link:  http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/04/25/boutique-vintners-turn-to-private-equity-for-help/

Questions for Discussions:

• Why would small wineries need venture capital?
• What are the concerns entrepreneurs would have with taking on venture capital partners?
• What are the benefits?
• How can venture capitalists help boutique wineries with mergers?
• Why would banks be reluctant lenders to boutique wineries?