Trouble Brewing? 6 New Risks for Winery and Brewery Clients

As consumers embark on a non-stop quest to find those perfect, Instagram-able moments, wineries and breweries are responding. Today, beer and wine tourists can step out of the taproom and sip Chardonnay by the pool, listen to live music, and even enjoy an invigorating hike.

While this dramatic rise in entertainment and adventure options generates plenty of buzz, it also creates new risks for brewery and winery owners. Agents can fill the gap by understanding the nature of these evolving risks and protecting their clients as they transition into full-fledged hospitality venues.

Here, we’ll unpack six emerging amenities at wineries and breweries, examine their risks, and explore mitigation tips agents and brokers can share with their clients.

1. Outdoor Firepits

Firepits set the perfect ambiance for nighttime tasting and provide warmth on chilly evenings. They also offer a natural setting for intimate social gatherings. However, the larger the fire pit, the bigger the risks. Pits must be located as far away from flammable material as possible. Additionally, fire features increase the chances of burns to patrons and property, with wind-blown embers ranking among the biggest dangers.

Winery and brewery owners can reduce their risks by installing an automated shut-off on propane-fueled pits. Employees should perform and document routine pit maintenance, including cleaning and service. And venues must have a written emergency response plan, backed up by robust staff training.

2. Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs

Soak-and-sip is one add-on option among wineries. However, any water feature carries risks for drowning and increases the chances of slip, trip, and fall injuries. Tubs and pools must also be properly maintained and supervised.

Property owners should provide adequate fencing around pools. Visible signage is required to detail pool rules and communicate whether or not a lifeguard is present. Venue owners also must make sure their liability and property coverage is insured to its full value.

3. Onsite Lodging

Beer and wine tourists need a place to stay. Savvy winery and brewery owners are meeting the moment by adding boutique hotels to their properties. Doing so brings the same risks faced by traditional hotel owners, including injuries, bed bug claims, fire risk, and general liability concerns related to privacy and noise.

Venues moving into hospitality must shore up the basics, including drafting standard guest rental agreements and liability waivers. All lodging facilities must comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and each guest room must be equipped with smoke detectors and fire extinguishers and should include CO2 detectors, as well.

4. Golf Courses and Putting Greens

Lawn games, cornhole, bocce, putt-putt, and even a full-scale golf course create fun recreational options for guests. But they bring with them tripping hazards and a risk for injuries and property damage.

Smart risk reduction strategies include routine inspections of both play surfaces and equipment to minimize accidents and liability. Draft liability waivers for any potentially hazardous activities. Keep any children’s activities in an area separate from where adults will play and imbibe.

5. Hiking Trails

The hillside setting of wineries doesn’t only improve the quality of a vineyard’s grapes. It also allows guests to get some brisk exercise. Some venues offer vineyard walks, while others have hiking trails located right behind their properties. These trails bring risks for slip, trip, and fall accidents, injuries, and even wildlife run-ins.

Adequate risk mitigation starts with maintaining clear paths to and from hiking trails. Post signage to make guests aware they’re leaving the property and entering public land. Consider offering suggested routes encouraging guests to traverse low-impact trails and avoid hazardous ones.

‘Lawn games, cornhole, bocce, putt-putt, and even a full-scale golf course create fun recreational options for guests. But they bring with them tripping hazards and a risk for injuries and property damage.’

6. Petting Zoos

We’ve seen a few wineries add petting zoos to their properties, allowing patrons to feed baby goats, sheep, and even emus. While zoos are family-friendly, animals can be unpredictable. Winery owners must be ready to handle bites and scratches while limiting the transmission of diseases from animals to humans.

For proper risk mitigation, handwashing stations are a must-have. So, too, are in-house or third-party staff members trained in animal handling and supervision. Warning signs should also be posted so visitors understand the potential risks.

Advising Clients on Entertainment-Related Risks

As wineries and breweries transform, agents and brokers should talk with business owners early and often and provide options to keep their businesses insured to value. A few ways to make this happen:

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Perform annual, on-site risk reviews, then follow up with quarterly check-ins. Ask about upcoming events or new improvements.

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Recommend one-day event coverage for unique or significant exposures.

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Assess each client’s liquor liability policy and adjust it as needed.

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Encourage clients to perform and document all maintenance and safety training for employees and staff who service their events.

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Make sure brewery and winery owners properly vet all vendors and implement best practices for vendor management, including appropriate contracting.

Create a Memorable Experience for Everyone

As wineries and breweries transform into entertainment venues, they need a fresh look at their coverage and loss prevention strategies. Agents and brokers who keep abreast of the latest entertainment trends–and the liability that comes with them–will help their clients keep their venues as protected as they are popular.

Chasin is president and chief executive officer of PAK Programs, which provides insurance programs for wineries, vineyards, breweries, wine and liquor retailers, cideries, meaderies, distilleries, liquor and wine importers and distributors. He has led PAK Programs for nearly 30 years.