Most wineries think they’re ready.The scorecard says otherwise.
i29
The i29 Assessment. Shares our view of where you stand in the U.S. — where the money leaks, the strategy stalls, and the importer loses patience.
The Process
Every engagement starts with structure.
01
Diagnose your position
29 metrics across four pillars: operational health, product strength, partnership alignment, market presence. You get scored. The gap gets measured.
02
Understand your economics
Pricing architecture across the three-tier system. Ex-cellar to SRP. What the importer sees, what the distributor needs, what the shelf demands.
03
Evaluate key decisions
Structured frameworks before committing capital. Route-to-market, importer selection, state strategy, budget allocation — all modeled.
04
Move into execution
Actions, milestones, measurable progress. Quarterly briefs track what changed, what’s working, and what needs adjustment. An operating plan that lives in the portal — built to evolve as the market responds.
Who We Work Best With
Four situations. One system.
If any of these sound familiar, we should talk.
Established Exporters
Already in the U.S. but something feels misaligned — pricing, velocity, importer attention, or all three. You're in the market but not gaining ground.
Market Entrants
Preparing to enter the U.S. and want a structured, disciplined starting point. Not trial and error — a clear picture before the first dollar is spent.
Growth-Stage Producers
Early traction in the U.S. but need systems, cadence, and strategic oversight to scale without losing brand positioning.
Importer-Reliant Brands
You know the importer relationship is the limiting factor — and you're ready to take a more active role in your own U.S. narrative.
One Path, Your Pace
Start where you are. Go as far as you need.
Use the tools independently. Or work directly with iKAG. No pitch. No pressure.
Three engagement levels. The deeper we go, the more precise the strategy.
Tier 1· 8–10 WEEKS
Strategic Diagnostic
Clarify Your U.S. Position
The starting point before committing to a full U.S. market program. An expert-led review of where you stand today — and what it will take to compete. Clear picture, key gaps, and ready for the next move.
Built for wineries already in the U.S. market that know something is not working. Over 12 months, we install the systems, cadence, and strategic oversight needed to perform consistently and grow with discipline.
Reserved for select wineries ready to move fast. iKAG embeds directly into your U.S. strategy — presenting alongside you, engaging partners, and driving outcomes in 90 days. Active, executive-level partnership.
Every engagement produces three documents. They are the work — built from experience, shaped by iKAG, and delivered on cadence.
03
Year in Review
Annual Position
Year-over-year comparison — wins, open items, A&P performance, and a strategic recommendation with a decision deadline. Where you were, where you are, and what the next year requires.
01
Foundation
Market Readiness Assessment
Full diagnostic built from the i29 — scores, gap analysis, pricing architecture, A&P budget review, and strategic recommendations. Where the engagement begins. Where every recommendation traces back.
02
Every Quarter
Quarterly Brief
What happened, what iKAG sees now, and three priorities with action sheets. Targets tracked, milestones updated, and the iKAG Take — one clear view of where the engagement stands.
The Portal
Every engagement starts with the i29. What comes next depends on what the scores reveal. iKAG runs the practice — diagnosing the gap, pulling the right tool, building the plan, and preparing you to execute with confidence.
35 years and 20 years. Every tier of the three-tier system. End to end.
BE
Brian Erwin
Founder & CEO, iKAG Group
35-year wine industry veteran. Former President/CSO, U.S. wine import company. SVP/GM at leading national importer. Division Manager, major U.S. winery. End-to-end 3-tier system expertise.
20+ years spanning every tier. Former VP National Sales, U.S. wine importer. Region Manager, industry-leading national distributor. State Manager, U.S. winery — 29 states, 57 exclusive Italian suppliers.
National SalesDistributor RelationsEuropean PortfolioWine Education
The wine is rarely the problem. In 35 years on the importer & distributor side of the table, I watched hundreds of international wineries enter the U.S. market. The ones that failed? It wasn't the wine. They failed because nobody showed them how the system actually works.
They priced wrong. They picked the wrong importer. They signed franchise-state contracts they couldn't exit. They ran out of runway 14 months in because nobody told them the three-tier payment cycle means 90–120 days before a dollar comes back.
iKAG Consulting exists to close the gap between what wineries think they know and what the U.S. market actually requires. We prepare, coach, and connect — so when you walk into the room, you belong there.
From the Founder
Professional passion and collaboration have always anchored me — but now they're the driving force behind the business. That shift changes how I listen, how I guide, and who I choose to work with.
iKAG Consulting exists to help boutique wineries navigate the U.S. market without dilution, confusion, or compromise. Decades in the traditional space taught what works — and what breaks. Now that experience is focused on clarity, protection, and strategic voice.
Let's talk. If the brand deserves protection and the wine deserves reach — I'm here to help.
And if you're wondering who to call —
you know a guy (and gal).
∼ Brian
Partnership Tiers
If you want our Partner's time.
Three engagement levels. The deeper we go, the more precise the strategy.
Tier 1
8–10 Weeks
Strategic Diagnostic
Clarify Your U.S. Position
Expert-led review of where you stand today — and what it will take to compete. Clear picture, key gaps, and ready for the next move.
