equipement needed

[saramc]

I am serious about growing 10 acres. I have 50 all together. I am looking to plant the 10 in a few phases.
With that said I am going to buy grapes from local vineyards I have talk to to develop the wine. So I don't want to over spend on equipment I will out grow.
I am in the process of going through TTB to get my commercial license.

Congrats on your desire and I hope your hard work and planning comes thru for you. Just remember, for US, anything you make prior to licensure, formula approval, etc. cannot be earmarked for commercial endeavors, at least this is what I have read in the past, somewhere. Now, there is a way you can get an already licensed winery to produce wine in their name and eventually transfer it to your commercial endeavor; though not sure if that applies in every state. Would hate for anyone to start producing wine in the wrong venue, it happens.

Do tell....
Where are you located and do you know what cultivars you would like to plant? And you've confirmed you have the proper soil, drainage, layout, sunlight, etc. to succeed in your grape growing adventure? Do you want to have a tasting room onsite with vineyard? Have you been able to or plan to visit a winery with a vineyard of similar size? Given any thought to planting anything other than grapes, perhaps blackberry, raspberry or elderberry?

Just make sure you have a sound business plan. You are talking a big chunk of manpower and moolah when you talk about planting 2 acres at a time, maintaining those vines and waiting three seasons for that first harvest. And then there is so much work but not enough time in the day. I was fortunate enough to apprentice starting on '10 for 2.5 years at a farm winery, three acres planted, two acres pending & 75% of their grape requirements grown per contract within the state. (And we discussed bare minimum start up cost for their business--quite variable I know). Operations were intense, with January to mid-March being the quiet time; other than that the tasting room was in full swing 7d/week, hours as mandated by county regulations but the lab/winery was crazy. Good thing they lived next door, though they only came home to sleep. Lots of work. I sure do miss it.

But I think this is great!! I love to live vicariously through others, specifically when plans exceed the growing of fruit on a one acre residential lot.

 

[jswordy]

Sara, it is very similar here in NC. I visited a winery this weekend that specialized in dry Bordeaux style reds. They are pretty much the exception and not the rule. Although, there is a trend to growing more big reds, the feedback I am getting at tastings is that the sweets are outselling the drys.

I absolutely agree, that's what sells. In my experience, women in particular favor a sweet wine, and overall it is a much more accessible wine for most people than a dry and structured wine, which for many is very much an acquired taste.

I have heard various and sundry wine snobs dismiss sweet wines as simply easier to make. Well, they can go along their merry way, because I do not believe that is the case for well-made sweet wines where the sugar is not simply used as a mask for faults and where the sweetness is a goal rather than an afterthought. Taste enough of them and one will discern the difference between "Hmmm" and "MMMM!" just as with dry wines.

 

[GaDawg]

Your original post ask about the equipment you will need. My best advice is go to your state extension service and contact the Viticulture Extension Program Specialist. We talk about wine because it's fun, you are talking about a big time commercial operation! I believe if you are serious about a winery you don't need equipment you will outgrow next year, and you don't need to be taking advice from an online message board. Go get you a professional consult

 

[GaDawg]

"Establishing a vineyard and bringing it to full production requires a large investment in money, time, and labor. Estimates vary widely and depend on circumstances specific to the site and the individual choices that are made, but development costs for the first three years can be from $15,000 to more than $20,000 per acre, not including land costs. Significant negative cashflow will occur for at least the first 3 to 5 years until the vines are established enough to produce a marketable crop. Vineyards are expensive and grapevines require frequent and intensive management, much of which is done manually, not with equipment. Therefore, careful consideration should be taken of the financial and labor requirements before proceeding with plans for a vineyard."

http://winegrapes.tamu.edu/grow/startingavineyard.html

 

[tatd69]

"Establishing a vineyard and bringing it to full production requires a large investment in money, time, and labor. Estimates vary widely and depend on circumstances specific to the site and the individual choices that are made, but development costs for the first three years can be from $15,000 to more than $20,000 per acre, not including land costs. Significant negative cashflow will occur for at least the first 3 to 5 years until the vines are established enough to produce a marketable crop. Vineyards are expensive and grapevines require frequent and intensive management, much of which is done manually, not with equipment. Therefore, careful consideration should be taken of the financial and labor requirements before proceeding with plans for a vineyard."

http://winegrapes.tamu.edu/grow/startingavineyard.html

15000 to 20000 an acre? I would like to see how those figures are computed. If includes the price of land, buildings and equipment I could see that. I have research and estimate is around 5000 and acre plus any labor to maintain the farm.
This is more than the price I have been quoted to build a trellis system and prepare the ground and buy the vines.
I own the land straight out along with the normal farm equipment that is standard on a farm. The property was a Tobacco farm and now has cattle on it.
I plan to sell the grapes until I master making wine with grapes. I will grow a Riesling and I think a sweet and simi sweet wine is what I will make.
The red I am still not decided but will do the same with it. I am in Kentucky and research in the local communities vineyard points to sweet wine being the best sellers. It is also my favorite.

 

[saramc]

A fellow Kentuckian!! Where would your vineyard be located? If you are close enough I would gladly buy grapes from you, if it ever becomes an option, and oversee a group & I know many members would be interested in buying grapes, etc.

Have you visited various wineries/vineyards in the state, networked with owners/vintners? I will say they are usually very receptive to those transitioning from amateur to professional. Have you had a chance to check out, http://www.kyagr.com/marketing/grape-wine.html? They have a list of established industry associations here in KY.

Kentucky Vineyard Society, http://www.kentuckyvineyardsociety.org/default.php is recommended for those with an interest in growing grapes in Kentucky. And of course, University of Kentucky has assistance available in viticulture and winemaking; the names & phone numbers of the individual you would need is listed in the home page. Patty is a great resource at UK.

 

[tatd69]

A fellow Kentuckian!! Where would your vineyard be located? If you are close enough I would gladly buy grapes from you, if it ever becomes an option, and oversee a group & I know many members would be interested in buying grapes, etc.

Have you visited various wineries/vineyards in the state, networked with owners/vintners? I will say they are usually very receptive to those transitioning from amateur to professional. Have you had a chance to check out, http://www.kyagr.com/marketing/grape-wine.html? They have a list of established industry associations here in KY.

Kentucky Vineyard Society, http://www.kentuckyvineyardsociety.org/default.php is recommended for those with an interest in growing grapes in Kentucky. And of course, University of Kentucky has assistance available in viticulture and winemaking; the names & phone numbers of the individual you would need is listed in the home page. Patty is a great resource at UK.

I am in the Georgetown KY area. I have been on the web pages you have posted and have got good info from them. I have also been in contact with UK and have been in communication about their services and their advice.
I have talked and been to many of the vineyards in central KY. I have found one that is willing to sell the Concord grapes and possible Riesling grapes.
I would sell the grapes, I am planning to sell them first and work on the wine making at the same time.
I am either going to buy a small bladder press or if I can find one to rent I will. I am going to make 200 gallons this year to work I on my wine making. 100 white 100 red. Sweet and dry of both. I will give it a way to friends and family and drink what I can. Lol.

 

[tatd69]

A fellow Kentuckian!! Where would your vineyard be located? If you are close enough I would gladly buy grapes from you, if it ever becomes an option, and oversee a group & I know many members would be interested in buying grapes, etc.

Have you visited various wineries/vineyards in the state, networked with owners/vintners? I will say they are usually very receptive to those transitioning from amateur to professional. Have you had a chance to check out, http://www.kyagr.com/marketing/grape-wine.html? They have a list of established industry associations here in KY.

Kentucky Vineyard Society, http://www.kentuckyvineyardsociety.org/default.php is recommended for those with an interest in growing grapes in Kentucky. And of course, University of Kentucky has assistance available in viticulture and winemaking; the names & phone numbers of the individual you would need is listed in the home page. Patty is a great resource at UK.

I am also looking for bottles. The cheapest I I've found are .90 cents. I may end up putting it in the 5 liter boxes.

 

[tatd69]

Have anyone used a WineEasy vacuum press?