California Producers Expect Improved Conditions

Last modified on 2010-05-13 16:48:59 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

The California Farm Bureau is already noting changes in two of California’s largest markets.

California is known for its wine and as the world’s recession is slowly easing up, sales of finer wines are increasing. The USDA reports that the world wine trade stalled for the past two years as consumers in American and worldwide have switched to lower-priced wines. However, slowly the market is climbing back up worldwide. Although the market never completely died off it was always strongest in Europe and Canada.

Timber farmers in California are also seeing improved conditions. Over the past year the demand for wood has increased and prices have even increased. The demand for redwood and Douglas fir are increasing as timber farmers prepare for the upcoming logging season. The official season starts once the winter rains dry up. Although the industry is seeing improvements timber farmers still report that the industry is in “a dark hole.”

Inflation fears? Refinance with Farm Plus before farm loan rates rise. Farm loan rates starting at 2.99% with 25 year terms. See our rate sheet here or call, toll free, 866-929-5585.

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Droughts Help Vineyard

Last modified on 2009-08-28 21:44:53 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Although many agricultural industries in Texas are facing hardships from drought, vineyards are booming.

“The rain from the air is usually more than what we like to have, so to have a dry season like this it’s exellent,” said Raymond L. Haak, owner of Haak Winery.

Haak uses underground irrigation to get the appropriate amount of water to his vines.

Haak told KIAH news that, “The heat is good also because it keeps the humidity down. There’s no condensation in the vines and it hastens the repening. It speeds up the ripening of the wine grape.”

Even though drought is good for the vineyard, the sunlight is not as great. “You don’t want to have your grape clusters exposed to the sun directly, becasue they can get sunburned and that can effect the quality of the skin and part of the juice,” he explained.

Interested in purchasing land for a vineyard? Need a loan for supplies or costs? Contact Farm Plus today for information about low rate vineyard loans. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information.

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A New Pest Control

Last modified on 2009-07-17 23:28:54 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

The University of California Hopland Research and Extension Center found a unique way to take care of weeds in vineyards.

As sheep graze around the vineyard, they munch on weeds growing between the vines. Sheep have been used for centuries to control any weeds or plants that are unwanted, but sheep would not eat just weeds… sometimes they ate the crops, too.

“We have a project to train sheep to have an aversion to grape leaves,” said Morgan Doran, the leader of the project. “If sheep avoid eating grapes, they can graze on the floor of the vineyard, providing farmers an alternative to using herbicides and mowing.”

Like any other mammals, sheep learn eating habits from its environment. To train the sheep, the project participants allowed the sheep to eat leaves then administered a small dose of lithium chloride that is harmless and creates a tummy ache.

So far the research has gone well and researchers believe they found a good weed control method for vineyard owners.

Looking for a vineyard loan? Look no further! Contact Farm Plus today for information on low-rate farm loans. Call 866-929-5585 to speak with a representative or visit online for more information.

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Folins Cellars Expanding

Last modified on 2009-06-16 21:59:48 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Folin Cellars in Sam’s Valley, Oregon is an inspiration to many. Despite current economic conditions, Folin Cellars is expanding!

The Southern Oregon Vineyard is quite young, but sees room for improvement and growth.

The Folins family is adding a winery and tasting room below the vineyard. The family told KDRV that although distributors are not buying as much wine, consumers are buying wine from their shelves.

“People aren’t drinking as much wine when they go out to a restaurant. And so distributors aren’t ordering wine from them. And they definitely don’t want to pick up any new smaller brands because they have a good inventory built up,” Rob Folin said.

Expect the winery to open in early August.

If you are interested in starting your own vineyard, contact Farm Plus today. Low rate vineyard loans are available for your needs. Call 866-929-5585 or visit Farm Plus online for more information about vineyard loans.

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The Southern Oregon Wine Institute

Last modified on 2009-06-16 21:38:55 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

The Southern Oregon Wine Institute is offering the area’s first hands-on learning experience for wine-making and managing.

Located on a slope near Umpqua Community College, The Southern Wine Institute is home to 400 grape plants and a new teaching winery.

SOWI Director, Chris Lake, told KDRV news, “You can talk as much as you want about how to grow a grape vine and how to plant one. But it doesn’t make a difference unless you actually get out here to do it.”

The institute will not be under full operation for three years because it takes that long for the fruit to a mature, but it has many interested students.

For those looking for a loan to fulfill their dreams of owning a vineyard and starting a wine business, contact Farm Plus today. Low rate loans are available today. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information on vineyard loans.

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Vineyard Financing Available

Last modified on 2009-05-13 16:19:00 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

 Money for Vineyards, where is it?

 

No question, the United States economy is in decline and has been for quite some time.  However, while the economy may be suffering, money is still accessible for the viticulture industry.  It may be harder for Americans to borrow money for commercial and residential purposes, but agricultural lending remains strong and interest rates are near historic lows.   The recent economic crisis has dramatically weakened many sectors of the American economy. One sector that continues to show strength is agriculture.  This applies to both general and viticulture agriculture.  With a high demand for many types of commodities, including grapes, vineyard real estate prices show increasing performance. Most areas produce strong appreciation year after year.  Given this remarkable strength and perseverance, some financial institutions will make it a point to lend money for farm, ranch and vineyard purposes.  

 

Subprime mortgages are largely to blame for the lending crisis as well as the overall economic crisis. Financial institutions that invested in these dangerous loans have suffered heavy losses, losses that have depleted the capital available to loan to ordinary Americans.  Many of the banks that risked money in subprime loans have been purchased by larger companies or, even worse, filed for bankruptcy protection. 

 

For those of you unfamiliar with subprime mortgages, they are generally residential real estate loans made to a borrower with a weaker credit profile than that of a prime borrower.  Although there is no standardized definition, in the United States, subprime loans are usually classified as those where the borrower has a credit score below a certain level. Typically these borrowers have a score below 660. Subprime borrowers have a higher likelihood of than prime borrowers do because of this weaker profile.  Subprime mortgages were securitized and sold on the secondary market to investors like Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns, Washington Mutual and IndyMac Bank, to name a few.  The difficulties of many of these large-scale banks and financial institutions are well known, but now even smaller community banks across the country are feeling the economic pinch. These banks include Superior Bank of Hinsdale, Illinois, Main Street Bank of Northville, Michigan and Mutual Bank of Park City, Utah.

 

In wake of the market turmoil many banks rewrote underwriting guidelines and, in some cases, froze lending capital until America’s markets stabilize.  Farmer Mac, on the other hand, is making positive, proactive moves during this recession.  Charted in 1988, Farmer Mac (Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation) was created to provide relief to agriculturalists in a time of double-digit interest rates.  This government chartered program guarantees the loan portion a financial institution would otherwise assume all the risk of.  A loan Institution that utilizes Farmer Mac’s guarantee program will have the ability to offer low interest rates and fixed terms to their agricultural customers, including vintners.  This enables the agriculturalist to cut loan costs and increase the bottom line, ultimately ensuring that many agriculturalists will not see the effects of the “credit freeze.” Because of the financial strength and stability of Farmer Mac and the program’s persistence in product development, many financial institutions whose lending practices focused on farm, ranch and vineyard operations have been fortunate enough to survive a tidal wave of bank closures and losses.  One can only speculate what the future will hold, but many economists believe the viticulture community will continue its path of perseverance. 

 

Several different ratios are used in determining the eligibility of a loan for a vineyard through Farmer Mac.  One Farmer Mac program in particular allows for a very lenient 1.00-1 debt-service-coverage-ratio. A debt-service-coverage-ratio, (DSCR),  is a calculation used to determine whether income from the borrower can service the debt. To calculate debt service coverage, divide the net income by total debt for the subject property.  A DSCR greater than 1 indicates a positive cash flow, and a DSCR less than 1 indicates negative cash flow.   The average debt-service-coverage ratio accepted amongst many agricultural lending institutions is 1.25-1 and in this market environment you’ll see some lenders restrain their customers with debt-service-coverage ratios of 1.45-1.  In most cases it’s the debt-service-coverage ratio that disqualifies borrowers from being approved.  Another commonly used ratio is the loan-to-value ratio. Farmer Mac allows for a maximum of 70 percent and a maximum of 100 percent combined-loan-to-value-ratio. 

 

It may be hard to believe, but, yes, it is possible to obtain 100 percent financing for a permanent planting operation, such as a vineyard, as long as the property’s income can support its debts. This can easily be calculated with the debt-service-coverage ratio.  Often lending institutions will only allow for a maximum of 50 percent loan-to-value ratio for permanent planting operations and it’s extremely rare to see a lender allow for 100 percent combined-loan-to-value ratios. The minimum credit score for a Farmer Mac program is 660 compared to many other lending institutions with minimum scores as high as 700.  You can now see how large the variances can be in underwriting criteria from lender to lender.  Your lender can play a significant role in your operations success.  

 

Farmer Mac recently announced a record loan guarantee portfolio of $9.8 billion dollars.  In addition, Farmer Mac officials quoted a historically low default .11 percent.  Farmer Mac is known for offering innovative loan programs to benefit vintners and agriculturalists, alike. With continued growth, record loan volume, solid leadership and record low default rates you can rest assured Farmer Mac will be here today, and tomorrow, to help financial institutions provide outstanding loan products to their customers, the viticulturists and agriculturalists.

 

How to get a Farmer Mac loan:

Farmer Mac loans are secured by agricultural real estate.  Viticulturists can obtain one of these loans by requesting a loan through a Farmer Mac lender.  You may use a Farmer Mac loan for refinance purposes, expansions, or to purchase agricultural property.  To learn more call Josh Mitchey at 866-929-5585 or email him at josh@farmplusfinancial.com.  http://www.farmplusfinancial.com    

  

Written by: Josh Mitchey, Business Development Manager, Farm Plus Financial.

 

Edited by: Justin Ellison, Dept. of History, University of Indiana   

Sources:

 

http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/banklist.html 

http://www.farmermac.com/company/profile/profile.aspx

Farmer Mac - - press release (8/11/2008)

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Maria Thun Calendar Theory

Last modified on 2009-05-07 20:59:05 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

In England, high end department stores are trying an old theory. A German great-grandmother named Maria Thun released a calendar in the 1950s that listed days as “fruit,” “flower,” “leaf,” or “root” based on the position of the moon and stars.

The best days to drink wine is on fruit days. Flower is the second best, then leaf and lastly root. The worst day is marked an unfavorable.

Based on this Marks & Spencers and Tesco are only allowing customers to taste their wine only on days that are favorable.
Thun believed that wine is a living organism that responds to the Moon’s rhythms in the same way humans do. The “lunar effect” has been widely dismissed, but followers agree that the moon exerts a big impact on tides that affects water in the human body, ultimately influencing human behavior.

Wine experts all agree that wine can be different depending on the day, but all have different philosophies.

David Motion is the most recent enthusiast to agree with Thun’s calendar theory. “We tried eight wines on Tuesday, which was a leaf day and then the same wines again on Thursday, which was a fruit day. And it was totally conclusive,” Motion told BBC.

“It wasn’t that the wine tasted bad on the Tuesday, but it was much more expressive on the Thursday. It was more exuberant and on-song,” he said. “It was like the heavens opened, the clouds parted and the wine just expressed itself.”

The calendar is a more indepth look at a biodynamic farming pioneered by Rudolf Steiner in the 1920s. The philosophy is similar to organic farming, but the key difference is that planting and sowing is timed according to the moon.

These philosophies have influenced many wine growers to run their vineyards along these timetables.

If you are interested in purchasing a vineyard contact Farm Plus today. Low rate farm loans are available now, call (866) 959-5585 or visit online for more information regarding Farm Loans.

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Wine Enthusiast in the Least Likely Place

Last modified on 2009-05-07 20:01:44 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Winemakers come in all shapes and sizes. In the most unlikely places you will find wine enthusiasts. Maynard James Keenan is the frontman of a rock band called Tool. Although Keenan fits the stereotype of a beer guzzling rocker, Keenan has announced the first wine produced from the grapes grown at his own vineyard, Caduceus Cellars.

Nagual del Judith,a Cabernet Sauvignon, is named after his late mother.

Keenan released a statement that said, “I am standing on a metaphorical plateau. The view from here suggests that I/we still have many mountains to negotiate. It has already been a long journey. But the successes and failures have been in balance. Which would suggest that I/we have chosen the correct path. I hold in my hands the evidence to support this statement . . . With tears in my eyes, I present to you the very first 100 percent Arizona Caduceus wine. Nagual del Judith, named after my late mother, Judith Marie.”

Caudceus has made wine in the past, but all the fruit was imported from California. Some of the grapes were also grown in his partner, Eric Glomski’s vineyard.

“Caduceus is my label, and under Caduceus I have, in essence, the lab. Caduceus is the winery. I was making my wines at Eric’s place, Paige Spring Cellars. So Caduceus Cellars is my winery, Paige Spring Cellars is Eric’s winery,” Keenan explained.

If you have a dream of owning your own vineyard now is a great time to make it a reality. Farm Plus has low rate vineyard loans for your needs. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding vineyard loans.

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Governor Schwarzenegger Declares State Emergency

Last modified on 2009-03-20 00:07:01 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in California due to the current drought situation.

In response to the current problem, Schwarzenegger has devloped a list of immediate actions to address the problem. Despite recent rainfall, California is facing its third year of drought.

“We must prepare for the worst- a forth, fifth, or even sixth year of drought,” he said in a speech. The governor is demanding that the state Department of Water Resources must expedite water transfers and offer technical assistance to agricultural water suppliers and agricultural water uses. This includes information on managing water supplies with the least economic impact possible and how to implement other water supply practices.

The California Farm Bureau Federation’s President Doug Mosebar said, “By acknowledging that the health of communities and arms is linked to a reliable water supply, the governor’s actions will help ease job and economic losses due to California’s water crisis.”

By March 30 the governor said the Department of Water Resources has to provide an updated report on drought conditions and water availability. If changes do not occur, the governor will implement additional steps. Things may get as extreme as rationing out water supply and reductions in use.

Farmers must plan ahead. “If you plan to grow crops that will need water beyond the limited supply available, you may find yourself in a very serious dilemma,” said Victoria Whitney, deputy director for water rights. “There’s a strong possibility your water right will be curtailed due to a lack of surface water or low priority of right.”

She suggests farmers find an alternative source of water, perhaps groundwater that does not require a water-right permit.

“The crisis is statewide,” Tom Birmingham of the Westlands Water District in Fresno. “The losses to the economy, the environment and our overall quality of life will be enormous. Most important, the problem will not be solved when abundant rains return one day. The problem is our broken water system that can no longer provide reliable supply to met California’s needs.”

Experts believe the system needs reworking and that the government must push for this to happen. Last week two water bond proposals were introduced to the state Legislature. One proposal was rom Sen. Dave Cogdill (R.) and the other was from Sen. Dean Florez (D.), and the Farm Bureau is actively involved in discussions with both authors.

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Pierce’s Disease may Become a Worry

Last modified on 2009-03-10 23:43:48 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Vineyards in Temecula County (California) are warned the vine-killing Pierce’s disease may soon be a problem. The insect that causes this disease is nearly at record height. The last time the numbers were so high was in 2000 when the disease nearly destroyed the entire county.

The Riverside County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office conducted a report that draws growers’ attention to the problems. Although the office does not predict an epidemic, it warns growers they must do their part to control the problem.

If the population of insects is not controlled the report said “the pastoral beauty, elegance and distinction of this unique region of the country will be at risk.

The disease is caused by bacteria that is carried by sharpshooters that jump from vine to vine. The bacteria disease is untreatable and cuts off the vines’ water supply.

To prevent the disease growers must apply pesticides that repel or kill sharpshooters. With the economy in recession many people have cut back on pesticides or ignored them all together. Half-treatments can lead to a bigger problem because the sharpshooters can slowly build up a resistance to the repellent.

The last outbreak caused nearly $20 million in damages so it is important for growers to take precautionary steps.

If you are interested in purchasing land for a vineyard in Temecula County or elsewhere please contact Farm Plus for a vineyard loan. Despite current economic woes, vineyard loans are readily available. Now is as good of time as any to make your dreams of owning a vineyard a reality. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding vineyard loans.

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Innovated Irrigation Systems

Last modified on 2009-03-10 23:17:43 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

The secret to great wine is great grapes. Great grapes are the result of close observation to assure they are water just enough.

The right amount of irrigation may be hard to judge or distribute, but many growers say it is simply based on gut instinct. “Without scientific data guiding how we irrigated, we often experience excess vigor,” Sustin Peterson, assistant winemaker at Ovid Napa Valley told Network World. The excess vigor often leads to under ripe grapes and other undesirable characteristics.

In 2007 Ovid Napa Valley received management assistance from Fruition Sciences. They recently devised an innovated way for winemakers to have instant access to date via computer about the vines’ water-evaporation levels relative to environment conditions.

The sensors measure how much water is going in and out of the plant and sends the information to the computer equipment that relates that information to the current temperature. A “stress profile” is then created and growers can determine based on this how much water to give each plant.

Peterson feels the system has been successful. He can greatly notice the difference in the fruit’s quality.

If you are in the market for a vineyard, contact Farm Plus for information regarding vineyard loans. Vineyard loans are available and a representative can be reached by phone (866-929-5585) or online to assist you in the process of obtaining a vineyard loan.

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Green Vineyards Benefit the Earth and The Product.

Last modified on 2009-03-10 21:36:59 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

John Fetzer, owner of Saracina Vineyards in Mendocino County, California recently shared his experience of owning a green vineyard with the Star Tribune.

Everything is going green, vineyards are no exception. Not only does being Green benefit the Earth and make you feel good inside, but grape growers will firmly agree that being Green will benefit your wine as well.

Many growers are using little to no pesticides and chemical fertilizers and using practices that were used long before pesticides and fertilizers were discovered.

Such methods include composts and using alternative soil conditioners.

“This approach just brings your vineyard alive,” Fetzer said. “You end up with a healthier plant, and you see that in the juice. The plant ripens faster, which means you can harvest earlier and get better sugar, acid and pH ratios.”

Fetzer who grew up on 720 acres of farmland watched as his parents switch from “organic” farming to chemical controls. They watched the land decline for five years before switching back.

He points out that there are multiple benefits to going green. “Once you get set up, it costs the same, maybe less. And the big plus is the safety of our employees. Not using herbicides or pesticides, you have a lot more footprints in your vineyard. You can pay a lot more attention to what’s going on there. I see vineyards with pesticides, and they just look sick. But most of them are converting because the growers can’t sell their grapes anymore.”

If you are interested in purchasing land for a vineyard, refinancing a current vineyard, or planning an expansion contact Farm Plus today. Vineyard loans are available with historical low rates. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information on vineyard loans.

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The Domaine Marchele Vineyards

Last modified on 2009-02-25 21:22:14 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Mark and Michele Havel opened Domaine Marchele Vineyards three years ago in Conneaut Creek Valley, Ohio. The seven-acre farm was in foreclosure, and the couple restored the granary, house and constructed an auxiliary farm building. On top of all the renovations, they planted 1,000 grapevines. They plan to plant more grapevines on an additional five acres they purchased nearby.

Not only will they plant grapevines here, but a retail outlet will be built to sell their boutique wine. The operation is not only a local business, but is powered by solar and wind energy. “It’s not directed toward the local mark,” Mark explained to the Star Beacon. The main focus is true wine enthusiasts.

Mark and Michele were both Realtors who had a dream. Mark became interested in the industry after working as a Realtor on a complex winery sale.

Soon he found land in Conneaut near the pioneering Markko Vineyard of Arnulf Esterer. The land has good drainage to Conneaut Creek and has great views of Lake Erie. Old-timers believe this means it is good growing land.

“Once you start looking at this, you see this is a very nice area to do this sort of thing,” Mark said. “Compared to where we came form, this is ridiculously cheap. I’m surprised more people don’t get off the sofa and do something like this.”

The Havels are ordinary people that had a vision. Their story could be much like your own. If you are interested in joining the vineyard community, contact Farm Plus today. Vineyard loans are available to help you grow your business. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information.

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Colorado Wineries Have Record Harvest

Last modified on 2009-02-25 18:44:41 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Colorado wineries plan on a good vintage year with record harvests. Mild weather during the late summer led to slow ripening of grapes for a good vintage year and record harvests.

Numbers recorded in 2006 show harvests were at 1,515 tons, but this year’s harvest was between 1,800 and 2,000 tons.

“It’s our biggest and one of the better quality harvest we’ve had,” John Garlich, owner of BookCliff Vineyards told The Examiner.

Fellow winemaker, Nancy James agreed. “It was a long, not terribly hot season. We got great ripeness,” she explained.

Most wineries in Colorado are located on the Western Slope. The Grand Valley is where most vineyards call home, located along the Colorado River and West Elks region along North Folk Valley.

If you are interested in starting your own vineyard, be sure to contact someone at Farm Plus today. Vineyard loans are available and Farm Plus wants to make your dreams come true. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information about vineyard loans.  Also remember, interest rates for vineyards are at historic lows, if you want a lower rate or even an expansion loan now is a great time.

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Easy Management for Wineries

Last modified on 2009-02-25 18:38:36 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Temecula Valley Winery Management has teamed up with Elypsis, Inc. and eWinery Solutions to offer customers software and hardware to manage sales, shipping, accounting, inventory, wine clubs and compliance.

“Over the past two years, we’ve made it easier and affordable for anyone who has signed up for our unique winery management services to get into the wine business,” Rebaux Steyn, managing director of Temecula Valley Winery Management said. “Now we can give our clients the latest technological tools and flexibility to better manage all aspects of their business and remain compliant with regulatory agencies.”

Microsoft provided 100 percent financing for the integrated winery technology package. Included is a tasting room POS (point of sale) system, eCommerce web solution for selling wine online and all necessary hardware for compliance management and services necessary for running a winery.

Temecula Valley Winery opened a year ago to help about a dozen clients to make, bottle and sell their own boutique wines. The vendor facility is 33,000 square-foot and is located in Temecula, Cal.

If you are interested in financing a vineyard for a purchase, refinance, or expansion now may be a good time to take advantage of historically low interest rates.  You can reach a Farm Plus Financial representative at  866-929-5585 or visit online to answer any questions you may have about vineyard loans. A vineyard is the first and most important step of starting a winery. Get a vineyard loan today.

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Lodi Grows Even Through the Recession

Last modified on 2009-02-25 21:02:32 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Despite what it may seem areas like Lodi,Cal. are continuing to grow in the wine industry.

Those behind the abundance of wineries in Lodi have the same philosophy. “Lodi for many years now has had the strategy of developing itself as…a tourist destination with the wine industry as a leading attraction,” Mark lovnick, vice president of economic development at the University of the Pacific told the Stockton Record. “It’s kind of a cluster effect: The more of these places you put in it becomes more of an attraction… so then the more businesses you attract… success begets success.”

The Dancing Fox Winery & Bakery is one of the businesses expanding into Lodi. It currently awaits clearnace from the city to begin offering handcrafted wines and bread in a renovated building in the downtown area.

Today 40 operations similar to The Dancing Fox Winery & Bakery exist in Lodi. Since the 1990s it has been a rapidly increasing area for wineries and vineyards.

Many of the wineries belong to business men, but others are owned by people who simply love wine.

Greg Lewis, a clinical psychologist in Lodi, is just one example of enthusiast turned businessman.

“I’ve been planning for probably the last 10 years to do a winery up at my rance in Clements,” he said. This seem too far away to draw in a good crowd of tourists, so he relocated his dream. Dancing Fox Winery & Bakery is the result.

Are you a wine enthusiast who has dreamed of owning your own vineyard or winery? Vineyard loans are available today at Farm Plus. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online to answer any questions you have about vineyard loans.  Or, if you currently own a vineyard and you’d like to take advantage of historically low interest rates be sure to contact Farm Plus Financial.

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“Oregon, The Taste of Wine”

Last modified on 2009-02-25 18:28:50 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Interested in a unique look at Oregon Vineyards? Photographer Janis Miglavs released his newest book, “Oregon, the Taste of Wine.”

Miglavs set out to tell the tale not only of the wine, but the winemakers behind the creations.

Looking beyond the quality of each family’s wine, Miglavs aimed to talk with winemakers about the relationships they have with their land. The winemakers spoke of what raising a vineyard has taught them about life.

After 200 hours of interviewing with 87 Oregon winemakers, Miglavs completed “Oregon, Taste of Wine.” The book is available on his Web site.

If you feel inspired after reading his latest release, contact a representative at Farm Plus today to obtain a vineyard loan or if you already own a vineyard and you wish to expand your operation or lower your interest rate make sure to contact Farm Plus. Many average, every day people start vineyards every year. It starts with a dream that has to be executed. If you have any questions about vineyard loans call 866-929-5585 or visit online.

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State of the Alliance: Vineyards Continue to Boom in Sonoma County

Last modified on 2009-02-12 03:45:39 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

February 3 was an important day for vintners and growers when the Sonoma Valley Vintner and Growers Alliance met at the Lodge in Sonoma. The who’s who of the wine industry met to discuss the past year’s success and challenges that may be ahead of the industry.

The biggest issue that lays ahead is the water policies being placed into effect by the Sonoma County Water Agency. 30 to 50 percent cuts are expected, vineyard owners will have to find ways to keep vineyards moist, especially on dry summer days as forecasted this upcoming season.

“Water is an issue. This is something we’re all going to be involved with,” said Sonoma Mayor Ken Brown in an address to the group, according to Sonoma News. “We should establish a slogan ‘Drink wine and champagne, not water.’”

Regardless what issues may exist with water, 2008 was a greatly successful year for the wine industry. Over two million tourists visited the Valley. Alliance President Michael Muscardini said “They’re tasting wines, they’re buying wine, they’re staying overnight and they’re eating in our fine restaurants,” he said.

Vineyards brought over $1.3 billion in revenues to Sonoma County as well as 15,900 jobs.
California vineyards seem to be a popular tourist attraction for Bay Area residents because people want vacations but cannot afford to travel in the current economic situation. Visitors can visit the Valley for a chance to get away without spending a great deal of money.

Despite the economic problems in the last year wine consumption has increased by 30 percent nation wide. Two out of three bottles purchased in America come from California.

Right now is the time to start living the dream of a vintner. Vineyard loans are available, a specialist at Farm Plus can answer any questions or concerns you have about vineyard loans. Join the booming wine industry and contact Farm Plus by telephone at 866-929-5585 or online.

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Vintners Look Past Napa Valley.. but not far

Last modified on 2009-02-12 01:34:46 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Due to a lack of land on the floor of Napa Valley, vinters are looking to the east side of the valley to continue growth.

Four development projects are set to go before the Napa County Planning Commission. These vineyeards would cover more than 1,000 acres covering land between Lake Hennessey and Soscol Ridge. One vineyard, Stagecoach Vineyards, is already set to go into construction.

Stagecoach Vineyards is planning to break ground in early April in the Rector Canyon watershed. This vineyard will cover 107 acres off Soda Canyon Road. It will be planted to cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot, malbec, cabernet franc, Chardonnay and Grenache.

Dr. Jan Krupp chose the site because “there is great sun exposure and it’s above the fog. The property is also sheltered from the heat waves that can scorch the valley floor in the summer,” Krupp told Sonoma News.

Other vineyards in talks include Foes Valley, Soscol Creek, Sage Canyon and Walt Ranch.

Foes Valley wants to develop 337 acres of cabernet sauvignon on land that once was a cattle ranch. The plan is to start planting the vineyard in the summer but it may wait until next year. The site is off Atlas Peak in Foss Valley. Plans for this site also including improving the roads surrounding the vineyard.

Soscol Creek purchased 2,200 acres near Jaimieson Canyon Road and the slopes north toward the Syar quarry near Napa. Sage Canyon is looking to develop on 160 acres on the southwest side of Lake Hennessey. Cattle currently graze on the land. Finally Craig and Kathryn Hall of Hall Winery are looking to develop 397 acres at Walt Ranch into a vineyard.

All vineyards have taken time to put environmental concerns into their blue prints.

The huge projects are slated throughout the next year and will greatly benefit the current area.

Vineyards are a strong source of revenue, especially compared to other areas of agriculture. Despite economic hardships, society is still consuming great amounts of wine daily. Sales are up 30 percent and continue to rise. If you are interested in a vineyard loan to start up your own vineyard please contact a Farm Plus representative. Farm Plus agents can assist you with any questions you have about vineyard loans. Call Farm Plus at 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information.

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Less Grapes, More Money

Last modified on 2009-03-10 21:11:53 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

According to a report released Tuesday by the California Department of Food and Agriculture the smaller crops of grapes, the more financially secure wineries will be.

During the last harvest California wineries produced 3 million tons of wine grapes, down 6 percent from the previous year.  The smaller crop will help wineries from devloping a large backlog of wine inventories and reduce the pressure to cut prices to move current vintage, said Steve Fredricks, managing partner of Turrentine Brokerage, a large wine-grape broker.

“The last few times we had a recession we also had huge inventories because of vineyard plantings and large crops, and that hurt prices,” Fredricks said.

Economists believe that California’s wine industry will have a modest growth this year. Although restaurant wine sales have dropped 10 to 12 percent, people are still buying a massive amount of wine for home use.

The only problem with people buying wine for their homes is they tend to purchase the lower to moderately priced wines instead of high quality and priced wine, it is their way of “cutting back.”

Fredricks said even Pinot Noir, made popular by the film ‘Sideways’ will see prices fall. Despite the fact the red-wine harvest dipped 9 percent to 1.7 million, the varietal of pinot noir grew by 17 percent.  This wine is highly demanded by restaurants, even if sales are slipping.

The craft is to watch the market and keep an eye on the changing trends.  If you are interested in joining the trend to become a vintner, please contact a Farm Plus consultant. Call 866-929-5585 or visit their Web site for more information on vineyard loans.

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Vineyards Continue to Make High Profits

Last modified on 2009-02-04 15:38:21 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Despite the current state of the economy, wine-grape growers in California are looking to expand. The growth is not expected to be like the frenzy in the early 90s that increased acreage by 50 percent, but an increase in production is needed.

Grape prices are quickly going up, especially with the increase in need for grapes.

“The tide is turning,” said Nat DiBuduo, president of Fresno, Calif.-based Allied Grape Growers, during a standing-room-only presentation this week in Sacramento ballroom at the Unified Wine and Grape Symposium according to the Sun-Times.

A conference, held at the Sacramento Convention Center, showed that the interest in vineyard land is up and lenders are ready to provide vineyard loans for those interested. Many farmers who have planted vineyards are confident in their decisions.

Many farmers taking out vineyard loans are looking to locate in the Lodi region in California. Although expensive wines are not as popular with the economic crisis, but there is high demand for good quality lower priced wines.

Even if wine prices rise, consumers will not see a difference in price because grapes are only a small portion figured into the final cost. There are a lot of different competitors in the wine industry, that also factors in to cheap prices.

Grapes are one of the most profitable crops today. If you are interested in a vineyard loan please contact a representative at Farm Plus Financial. Call them at 866-929-5585 or visit the Web site for more information.

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Solar Energy for Green Vineyards

Last modified on 2009-02-02 17:53:14 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

 

Vineyards are taking a further step to be eco-friendly, in Oregon the Torri Mor Winery, Stoller Vineywards, Schafer Vineyard Cellar and Sokol Blosser Winery have all gone to solar power to operate their businesses.

The latest addition to the trend is The Pfeiffer Winery. The winery, owned by Robin and Danuta Pfeiffer produces 1,500 cases of wine a year.

“We wanted to be as green as we could,” Robin Pfeiffer told King 5, “but it has to pencil out.”

Adding solar paneling can be costly, the Pfeiffers had estimated about $216,000. However with tax credits and the amount saved on their electricity bill the final project estimated around $4600.

“We couldn’t afford it without the tax credits,” Danuta Pfeiffer said.

The amount of solar projects is quickly increase with global awareness. In 2003 only 64 were built on homes, but in 2007 there were 233. Businesses increased from 29 to 109.

For a business that grows grapes, relying on the sun is simply common sense.

“Wineries are supremely set up to use solar energy,” because vines grow on sun-washed, south-facing slopes, she said. “It’s a natural.”

If you are interested in starting your own green winery, now is the time. Vineyard financing is available. Contact Farm Plus for more information by visiting this Web site or calling toll free 866-929-5585.

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Oregon Vineyard Website

Last modified on 2009-02-04 16:24:00 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

 

Oregon - A website sponsored by the Oregon Wine Board has been revamped to help Oregon vineyard and wine enthusiasts find information about area vineyards.  You can now use the site to find a plethera of infomation related to Oregon Vineyards including the ability to order wine online, plan vineyard visits and learn about your favorite Northwest vineyards.  The site also allows wine enthusiasts to find wines made with specific flavor notes, food pairings, soil types and winemaker styles.  This site was established to also help educate people about Oregon vineyard tourism and points out small top-notch winery operations that do no sell wine outside of Oregon.

To visit the site click here or call 503-228-8652.

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Weed Control

Last modified on 2009-01-30 16:06:17 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

I think this is very interesting.  I just ran across this and thought I’d share it.  Seems like a great idea for a vineyard to control weeds. 

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Vineyard Loans - Refinance, Purchase, or Expansion 

 

Farm Plus Financial is proud to offer government secured vineyard loans

to grapegrowers across the county including California, Washington,

Oregon and New York.  Between 1990 and 2003 United States vineyards

increased from 294,000 acres to 954,000 acres, more than tripling.  With

wine consumption at an all time high and increasing every year, never

has been a better time to start or expand an existing vineyard

operation.  Of course California, Oregon and Washington are home to some

of the largest vineyards but now we are producing grapes in all 50

United States.  Farm Plus is excited to be a part of this rapidly

growing and changing industry and we like to think we are contributing,

in a small way, to this growth by offering government secured, low

interest rate vineyard loans.  Vineyard loans have, in the past, been

hard to sometimes acquire and finding the right loan institution can be

challenging.  Farm Plus understands this challenge and we make the

vineyard loan transaction as painless as possible for our clients.  We

offer friendly and knowledgeable staff, low interest rate loans, a

streamlined loan process and a superior vineyard loan program to insure

you a pleasant loan transaction.  We are excited to learn more about

your vineyard operation and your vineyard loan needs.  Whether you seek

a loan to refinance, purchase or expand an existing vineyard, Farm Plus

is here to help you accomplish your goals.  To learn more click here or call 

us toll free at 866-929-5585  Thank you for visiting.