In a custom crush facility, what is the typical arrangement for growers?

• A. Growers must supply the winery with grapes annually
• B. Growers do not own the facility and pay per service
• C. Growers own the facility and manage the equipment
• D. Growers receive fixed payments regardless of service

Answer: (B)

In a custom crush facility, winemaking capacity is provided as a service rather than an ownership model. Growers bring their grapes to the facility, which is owned and operated by someone else, and pay for the work performed—crushing, fermentation, aging, bottling, lab analyses, storage, etc.—usually on a per-ton, per-batch, or per-service basis. This tolling arrangement lets growers access specialized equipment and expertise without the heavy capital cost of building and running their own winery. It’s not about owning the facility or receiving fixed payments regardless of activity, and while growers may supply grapes, the defining point is that the facility is not owned by the growers and charges are linked to the services used.