A winery is a building, property, or business involved in the production of wine. It typically houses the equipment and facilities necessary for fermenting, aging, bottling, and storing wine. Larger wineries may also include warehouses, laboratories, bottling lines, and extensive collections of storage tanks known as tank farms.
A winery differs from a vineyard, which refers specifically to the land where grapes are cultivated; a winery may source grapes from its own vineyards or from external growers.
In French terminology, a château often refers to an estate that combines both vineyard and winery operations under a single identity, whereas in general usage, a winery may or may not be associated with its own grape cultivation.
In modern wine production, wineries vary greatly in scale, from small, family-run establishments to large industrial operations producing wine for global distribution. Some wineries operate without owning any vineyards, purchasing grapes under contract or on the open market. Others, particularly those associated with traditional estates or high-value wines, emphasize estate-grown fruit as a mark of quality. The distinction between vineyard and winery remains important in understanding wine labeling, regional classifications, and the business structures of the wine industry.