Why Boutique Wine Production is Harder (and More Rewarding) Than You Think | Nerses and Carol Bezdjian

Have you ever dreamed of starting a small wine production? Nerses and Carol Bezdjian did more than just dream–they took the leap. With Qini Wines, they blend Armenian heritage and an entrepreneurial spirit into every bottle.

Nerses, with a background in wine logistics, made a fascinating detour to winemaking, driven by his desire to craft wines that tell a story.

In this episode of Wine Talks, we dive into the joys and struggles of building a boutique wine brand–from hand-harvesting grapes to mastering unique fermentation methods. Discover what it means to stay true to your vision while balancing the challenges of a competitive industry.

Tune in now and explore the artistry of small-batch winemaking!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Nerses and Carol Bezdjian of Qini Wines (00:35)

Challenges in small-scale wine production (04:52)

Transitioning winemaking from a hobby to a family business (15:16)

Wine trends and the role of boutique brands (19:41)

Exploring the hospitality aspect vs. maintaining a vineyard (23:34)

The struggle with wine sales and marketing (26:47)

Nerses’ experimental approach to winemaking (44:51)

Wine Q&A (48:32)

Additional Resources:

👉Learn more about Wine Talks: https://www.winetalkspodcast.com/

👉Watch the YouTube full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcE_nUpOKHY&list=PLVPoDzlH3_n8rqmofwcCQvOi_3Ci66bu_

👉Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WineTalksPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

👉Visit Qini Wines for more information: https://qiniwines.com/

Watch or listen to these episodes:

🔸The Vineyard NO ONE Thought Could Exist in Texas with Stephanie Franklin: https://youtu.be/RNT-B-hUgpo

🔸Wine Storage on STEROIDS? THIS is How Bottle Bank Does It  | Damon Raque: https://youtu.be/U51rYIZ7wZU

Let’s Connect:

🍷IG: https://www.instagram.com/winetalkspodcast/

🍷LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-kalemkiarian-a792914

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Wine Talks with Paul K is the ultimate podcast for serious wine lovers who want to know everything about the wine business. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, this podcast will introduce you to the wonderful world of wine, one story at a time.

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