Zoho implementation for Breweries, Wineries and Distilleries
Zoho for breweries, wineries and distilleries: trace batches from grain or grape to bottle, manage bonded stock and duty records, and sell to trade and clubs.
Business process workflow
How breweries, wineries and distilleries work flows in Zoho
Zoho connects batch production, packaging, bonded stock, trade sales, cellar door and club sales, and duty records for drinks producers.
Common problems we fix
- Batch, tank and barrel records are on clipboards, so traceability and recalls are slow
- Bonded stock and duty records are rebuilt by hand before each return
- Trade orders, taproom sales and club shipments run in separate systems
The process, step by step
- 1
Buy and receive inputs
Malt, hops, grapes, grain, yeast and packaging are received by lot.
- 2
Brew, ferment or distil
Each batch records recipe, inputs, readings and tank or barrel moves.
- 3
Package and check quality
Batches are packaged into cans, bottles or kegs and passed by QA.
- 4
Store under bond
Finished goods are held in bond until released, with duty records kept.
- 5
Sell to trade and direct
Distributors, venues, retailers, the taproom and club members order.
- 6
Account and report
Invoices, duty returns and margin per batch and product are reported.
Zoho Commerce
Zoho BillingDepartment by department
How every department of a breweries, wineries and distilleries business works in Zoho
A brewery, winery or distillery turns raw ingredients into batches, packages them, holds stock under bond and sells to trade and direct customers. In Zoho, trade sales, the taproom or cellar door, production, packaging and QA, stores, accounts and HR share one batch, one product and one customer record, so every bottle can be traced and every duty figure has a source.
How the departments hand work to each other
Each arrow is a handover. Because every team works on the same Zoho records, the next department picks up the work without re-entering it.
- 1Trade Sales and Distribution to Stores and Bonded Warehouse: Confirmed orders to pick and release from bond
- 2Trade Sales and Distribution to Production: Forecast demand by product
- 3Taproom, Cellar Door and Clubs to Stores and Bonded Warehouse: Club shipments and online orders to pack
- 4Taproom, Cellar Door and Clubs to Finance and Accounts: Club billing and daily takings
- 5Production to Packaging and Quality: Batches ready to package
- 6Production to Stores and Bonded Warehouse: Ingredient use by lot
- 7Packaging and Quality to Stores and Bonded Warehouse: Released finished goods by batch
- 8Stores and Bonded Warehouse to Finance and Accounts: Duty records and supplier bills
- 9Stores and Bonded Warehouse to Trade Sales and Distribution: Stock available to promise
- 10Finance and Accounts to Management and Reporting: Monthly margin, duty and cash summary
- 11HR and Payroll to Finance and Accounts: Payroll summary for posting
- 12Management and Reporting to Production: Production priorities
- 13Management and Reporting to Trade Sales and Distribution: Channel and account focus
Each department in detail
Open a department to see its workflow, its own entity diagram, who does the work, what needs approval, the reports it watches and what it hands over.
Trade Sales and DistributionSells to distributors, bars, restaurants and retailers and keeps accounts stocked.
Workflow
- 1
Manage accounts
Venues, retailers and distributors are kept as accounts with licence details and price tier.
- 2
- 3
Take orders
Orders for kegs, cases and bottles are entered with delivery date and keg returns.
- 4
Track depletions
Distributor depletion reports are loaded to see what actually sold through.
- 5
Run trade promotions
Seasonal releases and promotions are offered to selected accounts.
Zoho CampaignsEntity diagram: Trade Sales and Distribution
The records this team creates and updates, their key fields, and how they link.
- Zoho CRM
- Zoho Books
- Zoho Creator
Read the relationships as text
- Trade Account places Sales Order (1:N)
- Trade Account receives Visit (1:N)
- Trade Account reports Depletion (N:N)
Who does the work
- Trade sales rep
- Sales manager
- Distributor manager
Approvals and controls
- Pricing below the tier needs the sales manager
- Orders to accounts without a valid licence are blocked
Reports they watch
- Sales by account and product
- Depletions against shipments
- Kegs out by account
Hands over to
- Stores and Bonded Warehouse: Confirmed orders to pick and release from bond
- Production: Forecast demand by product
Taproom, Cellar Door and ClubsRuns on-site sales, tours and tastings, online shop and member clubs.
Workflow
- 1
- 2
Sell on site and online
Taproom, cellar door and online shop sales are recorded with age checks where required.
- 3
Run the club
Wine, beer or spirits club members get scheduled shipments charged to their card.
- 4
Release and allocate
Limited releases are allocated to members first through campaigns.
- 5
Zoho Bookings
Zoho Backstage
Zoho Marketing Automation
Zoho SurveyEntity diagram: Taproom, Cellar Door and Clubs
The records this team creates and updates, their key fields, and how they link.
- Zoho CRM
- Zoho Bookings
- Zoho Billing
- Zoho Commerce
Read the relationships as text
- Visitor books Tasting Booking (1:N)
- Visitor joins Club Membership (1:1)
- Visitor places Online Order (1:N)
Who does the work
- Taproom manager
- Cellar door host
- Club coordinator
Approvals and controls
- Shipments only go to regions where direct shipping is allowed
- Club tier changes outside the policy need the manager
Reports they watch
- Club members and churn
- Taproom sales per day
- Release sell-through
Hands over to
- Stores and Bonded Warehouse: Club shipments and online orders to pack
- Finance and Accounts: Club billing and daily takings
ProductionBrews, ferments, presses or distils each batch to recipe and records every step.
Workflow
- 1
Plan batches
Batches are planned from demand, tank or still availability and ingredient stock.
- 2
Issue ingredients
Malt, hops, grapes, grain and yeast are issued to the batch by lot.
- 3
Record the process
Gravity, temperature, pH, fermentation days or distillation cuts are logged.
- 4
Track vessels
Moves between tanks, barrels and stills are recorded with volumes and losses.
- 5
Entity diagram: Production
The records this team creates and updates, their key fields, and how they link.
- Zoho Creator
Read the relationships as text
- Recipe used in Batch (1:N)
- Batch records Process Reading (1:N)
- Vessel holds Batch (N:N)
Who does the work
- Head brewer or winemaker
- Distiller
- Production planner
Approvals and controls
- Recipe changes need the head brewer, winemaker or distiller
- Losses above the normal level are reviewed
Reports they watch
- Yield per batch
- Vessel utilisation
- Batch cycle time
Hands over to
- Packaging and Quality: Batches ready to package
- Stores and Bonded Warehouse: Ingredient use by lot
Packaging and QualityPackages each batch and checks quality before it is released for sale.
Workflow
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Release or hold
Passed batches go to stock and failed ones are held with a reason.
Entity diagram: Packaging and Quality
The records this team creates and updates, their key fields, and how they link.
- Zoho Creator
- Zoho Inventory
Read the relationships as text
- Packaging Run checked by QC Test (1:N)
- QC Test may raise Hold Notice (1:1)
- Packaging Lot used in Packaging Run (N:N)
Who does the work
- Packaging lead
- QA technician
Approvals and controls
- Batches are released only after QA sign-off
- Relabelling or rework needs the QA lead
Reports they watch
- Packaging waste
- QC pass rate
- Batches on hold
Hands over to
- Stores and Bonded Warehouse: Released finished goods by batch
Stores and Bonded WarehouseBuys inputs, holds finished goods under bond and keeps duty records accurate.
Workflow
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Release and record duty
Stock leaving bond is recorded with volume and alcohol content for duty.
- 5
Entity diagram: Stores and Bonded Warehouse
The records this team creates and updates, their key fields, and how they link.
- Zoho Inventory
- Zoho Creator
Read the relationships as text
- Stock Item ordered on Purchase Order (N:N)
- Stock Item moved in Bond Movement (1:N)
- Keg shipped in Bond Movement (N:N)
Who does the work
- Warehouse manager
- Purchasing officer
- Compliance officer
Approvals and controls
- Releases from bond are approved by the compliance officer
- Stock count differences in bond are investigated before the return
Reports they watch
- Stock in bond by product
- Duty liability for the period
- Kegs outstanding
Hands over to
- Finance and Accounts: Duty records and supplier bills
- Trade Sales and Distribution: Stock available to promise
Finance and AccountsInvoices trade and direct sales, prepares duty figures and reports batch margin.
Workflow
- 1
Invoice trade sales
Invoices include GST in India, VAT in the UK and EU, or sales tax where it applies, plus keg deposits.
- 2
Prepare duty figures
Excise or alcohol duty figures are prepared from bond movements for the return your country requires.
- 3
Reconcile direct sales
Taproom, online and club takings are matched to payments.
- 4
Cost batches
Ingredients, packaging and labour are rolled into cost per batch and unit.
Entity diagram: Finance and Accounts
The records this team creates and updates, their key fields, and how they link.
- Zoho Books
- Zoho Creator
Read the relationships as text
- Invoice included in Duty Return (N:N)
- Supplier Bill feeds Batch Cost (N:N)
- Batch Cost costs Invoice (N:N)
Who does the work
- Accountant
- Finance manager
Approvals and controls
- Duty returns are reviewed by the finance manager before filing
- Credit notes need the sales manager
Reports they watch
- Margin by product and channel
- Duty paid by period
- Receivables by account
Hands over to
- Management and Reporting: Monthly margin, duty and cash summary
HR and PayrollHires, trains and pays production, taproom and sales staff.
Workflow
- 1
Hire staff
Brewers, cellar hands, packaging staff and taproom crew are hired through Recruit.
- 2
Track training
Food safety, responsible service of alcohol and forklift training are recorded.
- 3
Roster shifts
Production and taproom shifts, including harvest or peak season, are planned.
- 4
Pay wages
Wages, overtime and taproom tips run through Zoho Payroll where it is available, or your local payroll provider.
Zoho Recruit
Zoho Learn
Zoho People
Zoho Shifts
Zoho PayrollEntity diagram: HR and Payroll
The records this team creates and updates, their key fields, and how they link.
- Zoho People
- Zoho Shifts
- Zoho Payroll
Read the relationships as text
- Employee holds Training Record (1:N)
- Employee works Shift (1:N)
- Employee paid by Payslip (1:N)
Who does the work
- HR officer
- Operations manager
Approvals and controls
- Taproom staff need current alcohol service training before shifts
Reports they watch
- Training due
- Labour cost by area
- Seasonal staffing
Hands over to
- Finance and Accounts: Payroll summary for posting
Management and ReportingGives owners one view of production, stock, sales channels and margin.
Workflow
- 1
Combine data
CRM, Creator, Inventory, Commerce, Billing and Books data flow into Zoho Analytics.
- 2
- 3
- 4
Entity diagram: Management and Reporting
The records this team creates and updates, their key fields, and how they link.
- Zoho Analytics
Read the relationships as text
- Production Board compared with Channel KPI (N:N)
- Channel KPI informs Release Review (N:N)
Who does the work
- Owner
- General manager
Approvals and controls
- New product launches and price changes are approved by the owner
Reports they watch
- Margin by channel
- Depletion trend
- Vessel utilisation
Hands over to
- Production: Production priorities
- Trade Sales and Distribution: Channel and account focus
Zoho AnalyticsWhat to expect when you start
A typical plan for a focused project of one to three apps. Larger scope or messy data takes longer; we confirm the timeline after discovery.
Week 1 to 2
Map and agree
We walk through your breweries, wineries and distilleries process from "Buy and receive inputs" to "Account and report", list the records and fields you really need, and agree the scope.
Week 3 to 4
Build the core
We configure Zoho Inventory and Zoho Creator with your stages, roles, approvals and templates.
Week 5 to 6
Connect and migrate
We clean and import your data, connect email, payments or other tools, and build the reports you will use every week.
Week 7 to 8
Test and go live
Your team tests with real cases, we train each role, and we cut over with a checklist.
Mistakes to avoid
- Copying the old spreadsheet column for column. Keep only the fields that help someone decide or act.
- Leaving out exceptions such as returns, changes and cancellations. Model them early so the team does not work around the system.
- No owner per stage. Name one person for "Buy and receive inputs" and one for "Account and report".
- Going live without checking reports against numbers you already trust.
A good first win
Start with the problem that hurts most: Batch, tank and barrel records are on clipboards, so traceability and recalls are slow. Fixing one visible problem in the first month builds trust and adoption for everything after it.
What you can measure
- Yield per batch
- Tank or barrel utilisation
- Depletions by account
- Club member retention
Questions about Zoho for breweries, wineries and distilleries
Which Zoho apps suit breweries, wineries and distilleries businesses?
A typical breweries, wineries and distilleries setup uses Zoho Inventory, Zoho Creator, Zoho CRM, Zoho Commerce, Zoho Billing, Zoho Books, Zoho Analytics. We confirm the exact apps after mapping your own process in a discovery call.
How does the business process flow in Zoho for breweries, wineries and distilleries?
1. Buy and receive inputs; 2. Brew, ferment or distil; 3. Package and check quality; 4. Store under bond; 5. Sell to trade and direct; 6. Account and report.
Which departments does a Zoho setup for breweries, wineries and distilleries cover?
A full setup covers Trade Sales and Distribution, Taproom, Cellar Door and Clubs, Production, Packaging and Quality, Stores and Bonded Warehouse, Finance and Accounts, HR and Payroll, Management and Reporting. Each department works in its own Zoho screens, but they share the same customer, order and finance records, so work moves from one team to the next without being retyped.
Zoho apps we set up for breweries, wineries and distilleries
Zoho Inventory
Zoho Creator
Zoho CRM
Zoho Books
Not sure which apps fit your business? Book a free 30-minute call or see all Zoho products we implement
Zoho services for breweries, wineries and distilleries
All Zoho services →- Zoho ERP implementationBooks, Inventory, CRM and HR connected as one system
- Zoho implementationZoho CRM live within 2 weeks, fixed price agreed in writing
- Zoho support100-hour support packs, first reply within 1 hour
- Zoho consultingChoose the right apps and plan before you build
- Data migration to ZohoMove from Salesforce, HubSpot, Tally, QuickBooks or spreadsheets
- Zoho integration servicesConnect Zoho to payments, ads, telephony, e-commerce and more
More industries we build Zoho workflows for
Zoho adapts to almost any business that has leads, orders, projects, people and money to track. A few examples are below; the industries page lists all 179 with a typical process flow and the Zoho apps behind each.
- Construction and ContractingControl tenders, project costs, subcontractors, site materials and progress billing from one system.
- Wholesale and DistributionRun orders, stock across warehouses, credit limits and collections for dealers and retailers.
- Food and BeverageTrack outlet and central kitchen stock, recipes, suppliers and daily sales with branch-wise accounts.
- Fitness and WellnessConvert enquiries into members, manage bookings and recurring fees, and keep members engaged.
- Staffing and RecruitmentManage client job orders, candidate pipelines, placements and invoicing in one flow.
- Travel and TourismTurn enquiries into itineraries, bookings and payments with supplier and customer tracking.
- Telecom and ISPsRun activation, installation, support and recurring billing for subscribers and enterprise accounts.
- Media and AdvertisingManage clients, briefs, campaign projects, approvals and retainer billing for agencies and media firms.
- Import and Export TradingHandle enquiries, proforma invoices, shipments, documentation and multi-currency accounting.