Newbee Here

[astrofreak]

Hi all. Cool site.

American guy here living in China. I am doing a research project on Viticulture Programs in California. Napa area.

My boss is interested in researching and possibly purchasing a wine making business in California.

I am trying to locate the best possible institutes for this type of project.

He would like to come for a year on a scholar or research visit to the most prestigious program in the Napa Valley Area.

I've started to look around and found some at UC Davis and a few others. I will continue my search however, could you direct me to such places?

I know nothing about viticulture or Enology. However, it seems to have a very interesting culture and history.

Thanks in advance for your help and understanding.

Here in China, many people love wines from many places.


My boss is a highly educated and successful business man whom is looking to invest in the USA. Wine is but one of his venues.

Cheers

Davidn

 

[PCharles]

Hey, We'd love to have some of their cash here in NC. We may not have the prestige of California, but we do grow some great grapes.

North Carolina, the other grape growers.

 

[astrofreak]

will talk to him about it next week.

The Chinese can really appreciate good wine. And if you haven't gotten into this market. perhaps you can. It is really big over here.

 

[JohnT]

As an investment, you boss would be better served if you advise against it. Unless he has a LOT of money to invest, there is really not a lot of money to be made.

There is an old saying, To make a small fortune in the wine business, you frist start with a large one.

With the risk of growing, and maturing wine, and not to mention the financial requirements you will need in dealing with the federal/state governments, I would not even come near a winery for purposes of financial investment.

On the other hand, If your boss has a true love of wine and simply wants to get in the game for simply the love of wine, then go ahead!

Like other may tell you, Napa is VERY overpriced. This comes from reputation and proximty to a major city (San Fancisco). There a whole LOT of regions that are better priced and just as well suited for growing grapes.

Currently, there is wine being produced in ALL of the 50 us states (including alaska and Hawaii). Being an east coast boy, I would recommend lookin in Virginia, New York State, North Carolina, just to name a few.

 

[winemaker_3352]

Welcome aboard!!!

Keep in mind that Missouri also has a great wine region. More hybrid growing grapes though.

 

[robie]

I agree with JohnT. Also, Fresno State and Stanford have good grape/wine programs.

If your boss is interested in making wine for a living, He should do it in China. China is the fastest growing wine drinking region around. If he is in China, why on earth would he be looking elsewhere? Chinese are buying up everything available in Bordeaux, where the good stuff is supposedly being made. Napa would be a big disappointment for someone wanting to invest; maybe 40 years ago but not now.

He should start looking outside his own backdoor, if he wants to be successful.

 

[dangerdave]

Ohio is the 8th largest wine producing state in the USA (according to 2007 data) and rising. Many of the tobacco farms (which used to wineries) in southern Ohio (along the Ohio River) are being converted back to vinyards.

I know of at least one place in southern Ohio (my cellar) where wine production (and consumption) has tripled in the last six months alone! lol

 

[Runningwolf]

Tell your boss to open in a wine store in China and import from the USA.

 

[robie]

Tell your boss to open in a wine store in China and import from the USA.

vinoenology.com has several articles about the increase in wine consumption in China and they seem to have the money to spend on it. I would sure like to find a way to "help" them get more American-made wine.

 

[astrofreak]

my boss

is loaded. real estate guy for many years.

his interests are not solely for business but for his interests. I forgot about Stanford. But I read a bit yesterday and today about UC Davis. And a couple of other programs.

I will mention to him that you guys had some good advice. That it takes a bundle to make a pile. money that is.

business wise, I think that if he did grow and sell in China, of course maybe doing a research project in California is not a bad idea. And a) bring it in from the States b) Develop his own here in China. I'm sure that it can be done.

I appreciate feedback

tks

 

[JohnT]

I believe that he may have some difficulty getting into the UCD program. I believe that there is a list of pre-requisits that make it hard to be accepted by the university. You also may want to look into this before going to your boss.

Funny, A rich real-estate broker in a communist country. Kind of a oxymoron, No?