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You're right on your numbers as far as gross revenue. Your financial needs and operating costs are going to determine if 90-120k is going to work for you in your area. With my operation, even after it grows, I don't ever expect to gross more than $20,000 (on 150 cases or so). This isn't my day...

I just opened last fall, using carboys and buckets (3 7 gallon and a 20 gallon). Granted my expected production is incredibly small. I anticipate I'll do 60 cases in 2019 depending on yield. My winery is about 100 square feet and I'm cash flowing everything. The money is gone now so I'll only...

Hobby for me. I did my first batch when I was deployed to Iraq. I didn't even drink. I just thought it would be fun to do. Continued in college once I got back to the states and haven't stopped. Like Norcal said, I do love that this is an easy hobby where you can share the result with others...

Awesome. Good luck on your adventure! (and fair weather ;))

I'm operating out of my house commercially, so my overhead is quite a bit lower. I'm going into year 4 (only 1st year of "doors" open) now looking like I might make a hundred bucks profit if everything goes well. Labor of love?

I got Avigard 17' wide nets. This wasn't my supplier, but here is one place you can get them in the states: http://www.7springsfarm.com/avigard-3-4-diamond-mesh-bird-netting-premium-flex-long-life-17-ft-x100-ft/

My wires are at 5-6' for my MN hybrids. I've got 17' wide nets that I just let hang to the ground. Raccoons go up and underneath, but they're not tearing up the nets as Steven indicated. I had to go to war with them in a different way. I rather like TWC, due to the lower maintenance. I had one...

I've had it finish that quickly when it is warm. I usually give it another week to settle out after adding the fining agent, and then another after back sweetening to ensure that it's not going to explode in the bottle.

I also think it would be good to know what kind of grapes you have here, as well as what your current trellis set up is. It's hard to tell things like height from pictures. I think I have a general idea. These also look to be just getting done with their first or second leaf? Did you plant...

Spooky. We've got the stink bugs here in Illinois. I can't say I'm looking forward to this one making it to us. Thanks for the heads up. I dug around on the internet and found this article: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-10-02/america-isn-t-ready-for-the-lanternfly-invasion

Awesome! I never imagined that I'd have as much fun as I am with it. I'm glad I decided to plant. It's probably not for everyone, but if you like making wine, there are few things that are as enjoyable as enjoying a glass of wine made from grapes that you cultivated on your own soil whilst...

Awesome Have fun with the hobby! 3,779+15 = 3,794

I just went commercial to solve that problem.

I can't say I've ever heard of anyone planting Merlot or Pinot Noir in So. Ill. From what I can see they are rated to Zone 7. I have a small planting of Riesling in my vineyard to try it out (rated zone 6, I'm zone 5 so one zone off like you're looking to do). The vines are surviving and growing...

Itasca came out in 2017, so not much out there on it. My experience with it (in the vineyard, not for winemaking) has been great thus far.

Can confirm. Late bud break + excessive pre-harvest rain left me with some low sugar Frontenac. Raccoons and Possums destroyed everything else I had. I'll be prepared for the vermin next year, but I can't control the weather. Overall pulled in 140 lbs of Frontenac with these Numbers: 19.6...

I've heard that is the best treatment, short of one of the insecticides that can kill phylloxera. I tried to do that this season, and found that I was unable to keep up. The other thing is that I have Riparia vines that grow all over the place and on the neighbor's property as well. The Riparia...

None of my hybrids turned anything other than dirt brown.

I have no idea if it would be bad, but I wonder what the point would be. Might as well let the leaves drop and take care of it all at once in winter when you do your normal pruning. Presumably you're not going to see any more growth this year. I've always found it is easier to keep track of...

Congratulations, that looks fantastic. Your hard work is paying off. I'm wrapping up my red tape journey within the next few weeks. I'll post my narrative when it's all said and done.