Legal Structure

Legal Structure: EURL

Chosen because it provided credibility, liability protection, and flexibility for a one-person founder.

But also came with legal obligations like paying the Minimum Social contributions for the Manager (me) to URSSAF which amounted to around EUR 1000/yr and submitting yearly revenue reports to the french government

Business Plan

Objective

The ambition behind Prestige Wines de France was to create a bridge between French heritage wines and the Asian hospitality industry, with a particular focus on Thailand. The business model centered on forming partnerships with premium restaurants and hotels, which would integrate Gaillac and Bordeaux wines into their menus. The idea was to leverage the strong demand for authentic European products in Asia and position PWF as a trusted supplier of rare and super-premium wines.

Revenue Model

The financial plan was based on building B2B partnerships in Thailand, where establishments would order and pay upon delivery of the goods. The initial projections targeted a turnover of approximately THB 200,000 per month, achieved exclusively through international sales. The model relied on lean operations in France combined with a scalable partnership approach abroad.

Market Strategy

Thailand was chosen as the entry market for its rapidly developing hospitality industry and openness to imported wines, especially with the end of import tariffs to Thailand in February 2024. The plan envisioned building credibility through premium positioning and eventually expanding to other Asian hubs. To ensure smooth distribution, the strategy included exploring joint ventures with local partners, who would provide access to networks and distribution channels while reinforcing the brand’s international presence.

Operations

The company was structured as a lean EURL in France, with headquarters domiciled at family property to minimize costs. Logistics were to be outsourced to specialized partners (KLG Europe), while regulatory compliance in Thailand was to be managed through our local legal advisors (Siam International Legal Advisors (SILA)). The goal was to maintain operational flexibility and focus resources on client acquisition and market penetration.

Conclusions and Takeaways

While the model was attractive in theory, structural challenges undermined its feasibility. In Thailand, restaurants and hotels typically operate on a negative cashflow basis, paying suppliers only after products have been sold. For an exporter, this meant advancing significant capital and assuming high financial risk. In parallel, the legal and regulatory framework for establishing a company in Thailand required substantial upfront investment and complex authorizations, creating barriers to entry far higher than anticipated. These combined factors ultimately rendered the project unsustainable. The business plan, however, provided valuable insights into the realities of international expansion, highlighting how capital requirements, payment practices, and regulatory frameworks can shape or limit the viability of even a strong product-market fit.

Branding

Logo: 

Mission: Bringing France's finest and rarest wines to the world.

Vision: We believe winemaking is an art that deserves to be celebrated worldwide. Our vision is to share the finest French wines with every corner of the globe, connecting people through tradition and craftsmanship.

Colors [main] [secondary]:

[ #122224 ] [ #b18437 ]

Police: Playfair Display

Slogan: "Excellence Starts With Purpose"

Brand Voice

• Tone: Elegant, serious, international.

• Values expressed in words: Heritage, Exclusivity, Prestige, Trust.

• Writing style: Formal, polished, highlighting history and terroir, while accessible to global buyers (avoiding overly technical wine jargon).

Promotion Visuals (print):

Brochure:

Demo: 

Business Cards: 

Website

Domain name: prestigewinesdefrance.com

Hosting: Hostinger

Platform: WordPress CMS

Languages: English (primary), Thai

Structure:

• Home – brand identity and positioning statement

• Wines – showcase of Gaillac and Bordeaux selections

• Our Mission – company story, heritage emphasis

• Blog – curated articles on wine and heritage storytelling

• Contact – professional contact form and email: contact@prestigewinesdefrance.com (inoperative)

Design: Minimalist premium theme, customized with deep red, gold, and dark green color palette, high-resolution imagery of French terroirs and cellars.

Purpose: Establish credibility with international buyers by presenting PWF as a professional and trustworthy exporter of premium French wines.

SEO: Basic content SEO optimization on main pages + some backlinks (SEO is not important here)

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This website has been created to present and document my entrepreneurial experiences, including the case studies of Prestige Wines de France and Novalia Solutions. All content, including text, images, and design elements, is the property of Lucas Sala and may not be reproduced or used without prior written permission. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.