Sitting in class, gazing at images of scenic vineyards from around the world, I yearn to be there. They all seem as tranquil as they are appealing to the eye. Yet driven by these peaceful plots is a thriving industry. The wine industry is amidst a golden age as production and quality are reaching new highs in places all over the world. So can I be a part of this golden age? Can a small investment of just a few acres become profitable and provide high quality wine grapes? The following is an attempt to further explore my dream of owning a vineyard by determining basic processes and costs necessary to run a successful vineyard.
The process of conceptualizing a new vineyard started with determining what general area of the world it would lay. An American vineyard is attractive in this case as there are no issues with citizenship and/or language. From New England, to the Midwest, to out west; vineyards exist all over the United States. California's booming grape and wine industry, along with superb growing conditions, makes it an attractive option for a vineyard. By beginning to narrow in on a region for a vineyard, it becomes possible to conjure potential varietals to be grown. Pinot Noir is currently the highest valued grape in California and although difficult to grow has great return potential.
One of the oldest grape varieties, the wine from these grapes has been enjoyed by ancient Romans and all those who enjoy the great burgundy pinot noirs of today. Its age and genetic instability has produced hundreds of clones. In selecting a clone, small quality berries are important for good berry-skin ratio and a high quality wine. Additionally, a clone with loose berry clusters is more resistant to botrytis, an undesirable fungus that removes water from grapes. Keeping quality and botrytis resistance in mind, pinot noir clone 777 was selected as it is characterized by small quality grapes and botrytis resistance. Additional characteristics of clone 777 relative to other pinot noirs include a short life cycle (late bud burst and early maturity), higher degree of sugar content, moderate yields and weak acidity.
With region and clone selection complete, specific site selection is the next step. Somona's reputation for producing good pinot noirs makes the county an ideal choice. Pinot Noirs fondness of the cold seems to be especially satisfied with one particular AVA in Somona. The Russian River Valley in Somona is blanketed by a cooling fog from the Pacific Ocean every evening.
The neighborhood I live in is small and has two small farms nearby. By the looks of it they only grow greenery. The lands that Vineland
In 1849, the Concord grape was first cultivated in Concord, MA by Ephraim Wales Bull. His ultimate goal was to create a grape that could withstand cold climates of the Northeast. Using the “fox” grape that was native to the area, he planted 22,000 seedlings in order to study them and watch them grow. Six years later, he found one of the vines he had originally planted, and named the “Concord Grape” after his hometown, and the town
The Roman writer and naturalist Pliny the Elder, in his treatise Naturalis Historia states “there is nothing more useful than wine for strengthening the body, while, at the same time, there is nothing more pernicious as a luxury, if we are not on our guard against excess.” Years before he wrote those words, wine had in fact come from humble origins outside Italy itself. Furthermore, the process of fermenting grapes goes back thousands of years, and its beginning can be traced to where the wild grown grape-vine, vitis vinifera, flourished and was actively utilized for this reason.
Curtis's model for sustainable farming is particularly compelling in that it offers an alternative to the usual suggestion that we return to small locally-own...
In Grapes of Wrath, it is the farmers who work the land that own the land, and yet the farmers’ lands are being robbed by institutions such as banks and big businesses that have no personal ties to the land themselves (Mcarthy). It’s only the farmer who has labored and slaved away at the land, hoping to grow a bountiful harvest, that has grown with the land as well. Without the personal connection to the land, landowners, banks, and big business will never be able to fully appreciate the land for what it is
When World War II ended, there was an increasing demand for wine in the New World countries, contrary, liter consumption per capita declined in traditional wine consuming countries such as Italy, France and Spain. Old World producers were not capable responding quickly to the demand or penetrating the new markets because limited land and strict rules and regulations. For instance, land is abundant, inexpensive, and extremely apt for grape production in the New World. With much access to land, vineyards were able to expand greatly; vineyards in the United States averaged around 213 hectares, Australia 167 hectares, whereas Italy averaged around 1.3 hectares, and France 7.4 hectares. This caused Old World producers a limited capability of supporting demand. In addition, Old World producers were bound to traditional wine making techniques that we...
Shepard, Michael, Bob Crider, Spencer Hatton, and Karen Troianello. "Wine tourism doesn't stop at the winery." Yakima Herald-Republic [Yakima] 21 Mar 2010, n. pag. Web. 12 Feb. 2012.
Compared to the industry as a whole, Mondavi is not responding to the changing marketplace and demands. While there has been some growth in the ultra and luxury premium market segments, the explosion in the last 15 years had been in the popular premium ($3-7 per bottle) and super-premium ($7-14) sector. Mondavi’s own Woodbridge offering is responsible for 76% of its case volume and 57% of its revenue as of 2001, but seemingly exists in isolation amidst all the high-end offerings from the company. Competitors that have established themselves in jug wine, beer, and other spirits are taking advantage of their sales volume and migrating upward. While E&J Gallo, Constellation, and the beer producers may not have the reputation for quality and craft that RMW possesses, their substantial financial weight has allowed them to develop or purchase brands that could compete in the higher altitudes and price segments. Meanwhile, competitors with similar histories in premium winemaking are taking advantage of lower production costs to horizontally integrate, acquire land, and build new wineries in different countries, as Kendall Jackson has done with the Villa Arceno (Italy) and Yangarra Park (Australia) wines.
Sumner, Daniel, José E. Bervejillo, and Nicolai V. Kuminoff. "The measure of California agriculture and its importance in the state’s economy." California Agriculture: Dimensions and Issues. J. Siebert (2003).
them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine Thereof; they shall also make gardens,
California was an exciting place to experience knowing that I could go to all of these ecosystems in one trip. Driving down the interstate you could see these gigantic mountains above the city of Fresno. Also one thing I noticed was how much of California is actually just farm land. The view above the plane was full of fields that were in perfect squares for farming. Realizing this I was actually shocked because I never knew how much of California is actually used for farming. Usually in movies you see, that are based in California, there are beaches and an ocean. Being in the western United States for the first time I was surprised also by how much desert there actually is. I’ve always heard people mess around and call California the land of “Fruit and Nuts” but it’s actually true. California leads the country in producing most of nuts in America and some fruits like strawberries and
The Grapes is a dysfunctional family who is living in the underprivileged rural area. The household consists of mother, Bonnie Grapes, who is a 54 year old jobless widow; Amy Grapes, the 34 year old eldest daughter among children, who is also still unemployed; Gilbert Grapes, the 24 year old eldest son who works at a nearby grocery shop; Arnie Grape, the younger brother of Gilbert Grapes who is autistic; and Ellen Grape, the youngest child, who is 16 years old and works at an ice-cream parlor. The two members of the family are no longer living with it including Larry Grapes who has left the family and is doing the job of a flight attendant, and Albert Grapes, who is the deceased father of the children; he committed suicide 14 years earlier.
Burkons, R. Tasting Panel the Magazine: Rao’s Signature Wines Open in Las Vegas (2009) Retrieved April, 17, 2011, https://www.strawberryridge.com/raos/press/TastingPanelMagazine-Sept09.pdf
Alongside the 48th parallel, near the world’s northerly limit for viticulture, is the Champagne AOC. The Champagne only contains one AOC, while Burgundy includes over 110 AOCs. Burgundy has its AOCs spread over 8,450 hectares, equated to Champagne, who sits on 31,000 hectares with just its one AOC. “Only having one AOC for Champagne is largely driven by the commercial influence of the Grandes Marques who blend wines from throughout the Region and do not want regional & vineyard differences profiled” (Education: The Champagne).
Within the wine industry, it is often thought of as having a low threat of entrants based on a historical understanding. In the Old World, the use of technology and automation is avoided as well as the use of strategic advertising and promotion methods. In addition, a highly regulated production system is implemented for certain inputs of the industry, which introduced a low threat of new entrants. However, the threat has risen in the New World due to the investment in technology and automation based production as well as an increased budget for advertising. The ability to start an independent, high-end winery takes a large physical and financial capital investment.