Have you ever wondered if you could actually make money cultivating your own small vineyard? While many people are allured into the romantic idea of growing grapes on their property and making their own wine, could that passion ever become profitable?
Although the volume growth of wine shipments to the U.S. market has slowed in recent months, California shipments still grew two percent last year, to an estimated 196 million cases, according to the Preliminary Grape Crush Report from the California Department of Food and Agriculture. So there still is quite a demand for wine grapes today.
Here are some quick facts that I have learned. A vine typically takes 3 years before producing usable grapes, and the lifetime of a vine is 30-35 years. There are approximately 4-5 grape clusters in a bottle, 40 clusters on a vine, 500-1300 vines per acre, 13.5 barrels per acre, and 4,000 bottles per acre, according to Napa Now wine statistics. That seems like a lot of bottles of wine even if you just have a few acres! But can you make money on your own small vineyard?
Growing grapes is typically not a profitable endeavor if it is only a few acres. It usually takes a larger vineyard-around five acres or more to produce profitable quantities of grapes, according to reporter Broderick Perkins who has researched the value of small vineyards.
Lynn Wonderlich from the University of California advises caution when trying to make money with a small vineyard, and says that farming even at the best of times can be risky.
Finding a buyer for your grapes may be another large challenge for a small hobby vineyard, especially in this economy. A small grower might not have enough grapes to interest a potential winery.
But there is a growing number of small “backyard vineyards" that do manage to make some money. They are growers around the Bay Area with favorable terrain, soil and climate.
One reason many people choose to plant vines is that vineyards can boost the property value of a house. A property with vineyard landscaping can really increase the resale value and attract a larger clientele, according to Napa Valley property management owner, Don Buller. Especially in areas around wine country where people place a great value on a vineyard view. Besides the property boost, vines can help with erosion and water drain off.
Farming grapes can also be a more sustainable crop, with established vine stock reproducing grapes year after year, with very little plowing or other farming practices needed for other crops. Growing and harvesting your own grapes, can, however be a rewarding experience if you are in it for the love and not the money.
Before you start make sure that you have a few basic things needed for success. First, you need lots of sunshine, so make sure that you plant your vines where they can get a lot of sun. They also need a good water supply when they are actively growing in spring or summer. In areas of little rain, they should be watered at least once a week.
Second, you need to plant a grape variety that is suitable to your property, and to your climate. Some varieties will not survive cooler weather, while others can tolerate freezing temperatures. Some vigorous varieties need lots of space (at least 8 feet), while other vines might be planted six feet apart or less. So do your research before you plant.
Recruit friends or people you know in the wine or grape business to help you and consider taking a few classes on winemaking and business management.
So if you have the property, there are many good reasons for starting your own small vineyard. All you need for success is the property, a little grape knowledge, hard work, and of course, a great passion.
Written by Karen
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