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September 29, 2004
What's a Vineyard Cost?
One of our main goals in keeping this journal (OK, it's really a 'blog') is to help any future prospective vineyard owners in their planning (and when we're old it sure will be fun to read back through these first years!) Our plan for this fall/spring is to get four acres in the ground.
In the early planning stages, at every turn is the question "What's it going to cost?" So in an effort to encourage (or dissuade) people from entering this business Shannon and I decided to be very open about operating costs. Not that it's a big secret - there is a wealth of information online outlining startup costs. One of the best is "The Economics of Wine Production in Virginia" which we have just about memorized now.
So adjusting for different row/vine spacing and inflation:
1 acre = $15,000 to plant, $3,000/year maintenance
This does not include the land!
Of course there are some variable costs (mostly labor) that can possibly get your intial costs down near the $12,000 per acre range, but you have to be realistic - are you REALLY going to be out in the vineyard for four weeks loading 8' timbers into a post-driving machine? Yeah right...
At the vineyard seminar we listened to a great session given by Dennis Horton of Horton Vineyards. He gave a hard-truth session on business plans, and indicated that you CAN make money in this business, but the absolute #1 rule is "Don't carry too much debt doing it." So we've taken that advice to heart and our financial strategy (with the exception of the land mortgage) is based on cash-only purchases. Not to say that at some point in the future a crop-loan is out of the question, but for now cash and carry is the sure route.
That said, it sure tests your mettle when you're founding a vineyard and a family at the same time, to think that you just stuck four college educations in the ground.
Posted by
Stephen
at
5:14 PM
September 28, 2004
Row Widths
Thought I'd share some of the variables and challenges that go into determining row width when planning a vineyard.
I've been discussing the layout of the vineyard with Doug (Fabbioli - Vineyard Consultant) over the past few days. Last year we had Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent Jason Murray out to the land to share his ideas for setting up the vineyard. Read about that visit here. During that conversation we had established a row width of 8' and vine spacing of 6' on VSP trellis. Then in March 2004 we attended a vineyard seminar during which we confirmed that our row and vine spacing were fine, although we did reconsider the trellising and began leaning towards a Smart-Dyson divided canopy configuration. But after visiting Jewell Towne Vineyards in New Hampshire for Shannon's birthday in May 2004 we again thought VSP may be the way to go since Dr. Oldak advised that the lower half of the canopy is more susceptible to fungus since much of it ends up lying on the ground.
You can already see how many different inputs and differences of opinion go into this decision, not to mention the hundred-or-so magazine articles and online research papers that we've read!
So in talking with Doug, he suggested that we actually widen the rows to 9' and tighten the vines to 5' and reconsider the Smart-Dyson trellis. Doug's rationale for the wider row spacing was for ease-of-maintenance in maneuvering a tractor through the rows. This is not a minor point! Our tractor is currently just under 6' wide, so in an 8' row you have basically 1' on either side. If you blink you could mow down a vine - not good.
In addition Doug has identified the least-fun aspect of managing a vineyard as spraying fungicide. Fungus prevention is a fact of life in Virginia vineyards due mainly to the high humidity in our region. You're not going to see any 'organic' vineyards in Virginia. It's all about chemicals and technology for us to be successful. So a typical growing season requires about 12-15 sprayings after a rainy period. Each acre requires about 45 gallons of spray for proper coverage.
So why not just get a smaller tractor to fit through the rows? Horsepower. hp is critical in any kind of farming. Our tractor (John Deere 850 with a front-end-loader, no cab) is about 25hp, which can operate a three-point sprayer with a 50-gallon capacity. That means for four acres:
spray an acre - go reload - spray an acre - go reload - spray an acre - go reload - spray an acre
Probably be about 6+ hours per spraying, and that is moving quickly.
So now along with the row widths we are reconsidering our tractor - do we upgrade? The decision is tough because you basically are trading an acre of grapes ($15,000) for the tractor upgrade. The higher hp and cab on the tractor would be awesome, and allow for a higher output sprayer (which translates to fewer 'go reload' steps) which helps make the least-fun part of vineyard management much more enjoyable.
Not to say that tractor hp and size are the only considerations in determining row width. Row width also has implications for vine vigor, which ultimately affects fruit quality thus wine quality. In addition, having rows too close together may impact the ability of the sun to reach the grape clusters. This is caused by the height of the adjoining row shading the clusters (if your strategy includes cluster exposure.) This is further complicated by the aspect of your vineyard slope in situations where you want to train your canopy on the west side of the row to shade the clusters from the hot afternoon sun while still exposing them in the mornings to quickly heat the dew off the bunches to help prevent mildew.
And to state the obvious, once the trellis and vines are in the ground they do not move. Can't "scoot them over" a foot a year later...
Much more to follow on this challenging topic! We love it!!!
Posted by
Stephen
at
9:15 AM
September 25, 2004
Demo(lition) not Demo(nstration)
Demo'ing is a drag.
Yesterday I mentioned that the first step in any construction project is speaking to a lender. I suppose that was a bit premature - the first step in any new construction project is surviving the preparation and sale of the previous house. Anyone who has ever sold a home has asked themselves "What the hell are we fixing this place up for? We're leaving!?!?" That question holds even more bitterness when you're standing in a pile of rubble up to your knees...
Last night's project was the demo of our downstairs bathroom. If you're not familiar with home construction techniques of the 1920's, walls were not constructed of the nice neat sheets of drywall stacked up so nicely at Home Depot. Oh no. Walls were constructed by putting a billion little horizontal wood pieces, and then packing plaster on them. So imagine the reverse (demo) - the walls don't come apart in nice large sheets, but rather a billion little pieces (not to mention the asbestos-laden dust cloud that accompanies this procedure...) A hateful task to say the least.
On the bright side the worst is over! Our bathroom is in several trash cans on the front porch, awaiting the delivery of the dumpster. The cool part of doing a demo properly is that now I have a nice blank canvas to begin the reconstruction process. I'm one of those (sometimes referred to as 'anal') folks who even likes to be neat when I'm being dirty. So having a neat space prior to beginning construction is paramount! Probably begin putting up drywall tomorrow or some night this week.
Still though, anyone who has been in these situations will inevitably look upon the finished room with pride and sadness, and softly whisper to their spouse...
"Let's go start our new life." :)
Posted by
Stephen
at
11:24 AM
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1
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September 24, 2004
Construction Concepts
Yesterday was a big day for the construction planning. Posted some floor plans and 3D renderings on a hidden URL and submitted to four timber frame companies. Basically the first step in any project is to find a lender, and work out some rough budget numbers. Then you get to buy some fun architectural software to draw up your dream house, then present the rough drafts to the timber frame companies. Then they come back with a cost. Then the goal is to get that cost well below the lender number to leave yourself a buffer zone for "oops-oh-by-the-ways" that are going to pop up during construction.
Using the design software was a lot of fun, especially when I somehow put a toilet on the roof, and a closet door 30 feet underground. That was awesome. Hopefully we won't have to go back to the drawing board too much (i.e. shrink the house...) To avoid bad karma we're not showing anyone the drawings (drawerings?) yet because you just know the more people that are in on the big plan is proportional to the level of disappointment that could come. So no peeking for now!
Anyway here's the URLs of the four companies:
Blue Ridge Timberwrights
Thistlewood
Yankee Barn Homes
Bensonwood Homes
Posted by
Stephen
at
10:45 AM
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September 22, 2004
Vineyard Consultant
Had the chance to speak with Doug Fabbioli today, a Vineyard and Winery Consultant based in Leesburg, VA. Shannon and I actually met Doug last winter at Windham Winery when we visited there to ask about hosting our rehearsal dinner. I enjoyed exchanging emails and speaking with him on the phone - seems like a straight-shooter and has vast experience in this industry. He is currently the winemaker at Windham as well as Old House Vineyards. We're looking forward to having him come out to the property to learn more about our plans. Today we spoke about varietal selection and his experience with different nurseries that provide vines. I am continuing my evaluations of several and we will be making some final decisions in the days ahead, then placing the orders!
Posted by
Stephen
at
12:54 PM
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1
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September 21, 2004
First Blog Entry!
Welcome to Notaviva Vineyards! So this is the first-ever blog entry - I'm pretty excited actually. Thanks to Korte-san my blog sensei!
So where did the word 'Notaviva' come from? Check out the story here.
Think I'll go back in time now and create some old entries so we can give the whole story ...
Posted by
Stephen
at
8:55 PM
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4
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September 18, 2004
Fat Deer
Can I get another "GOOD GRIEF!"
And now the deer are enjoying the fact that we live in Connecticut... Have to say that our research vineyard has taught us quite a bit about pest management - which was a major factor we were evaluating with this planting. Next step will be the final season measurements to evaluate vigor on the different rootstocks.
One thing is for sure - if the vines can withstand total neglect with us living in Connecticut, they are going to flourish with proper care.
Posted by
Stephen
at
8:57 PM
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