[GreginND]

Hello everyone. I've been a lurker for a long time and a winemaker for even longer - 12+ years. I'm in North Dakota which makes it challenging to find decent grapes so I have mostly made wines from other fruits. But I am trying to find some property now to start some grapes and eventually get my winery established.

Any other Northern growers/winemakers?

[Flem]

Welcome to the forum, Greg. Lots of "Country" winemakers here!

[TouronVineyards]

Welcome to the site

[Wade E]

Welcome NP, glad we got you to finally sign in. Sorry you are way north of me for any help!

[robie]

Welcome to the forum.

[Bert]

Welcome Greg to the forum.....

I'm over here in NW Minnesota....but I don't had any grapes, just wishful thinking on that part...

[Julie]

Hi welcome to winemakingtalk

[hoathieu]

Originally Posted by Julie

Hi welcome to winemakingtalk

Hi. Im reading ur topic. I like it but my englist is poor so i m reading slowly

[GreginND]

Thanks everyone. This is a great resource.

We have been trying obtain a 12 acre farmstead right off of a freeway exit in a high traffic area just 20 minutes away from our home. The property was short-saled and we had a bid on it. We found out yesterday that the bank selected us to sell the property to. So, it looks like I will become very busy this year. We have some work to do on the place and of course need to start getting things prepped for planting grapes. I hope to have my winery in operation by 2013 and product for sale by 2014.

Now, gotta raise some capital.

[grapeman]

Welcome GreginND. I am in New York State near the Canadian border near Lake Champlain. We are zone 4 here so it should be similar to you there. It is a lot to go through, but if you follow my thread here http://www.winemakingtalk.com/forum/f25/champlain-valley-my-vineyard-19820/ I document my vineyard from beginning to now having a commercial license for about 2 years.

Begin with your USDA hardiness zone rating. There is a new improved tool for determining it. Just google USDA Hardiness Zone and go to the USDA site for it and check for the interactive tool.

My boys just withdrew their offer on a 27 acre farm about 25 miles away from me after deciding they want to help me more first to learn more about the whole process before striking out on their own.

Good luck, you have a lot of work ahead of you!