Put up or ? I got myself a vineyard

[NorCal]

I’ve lived in a community with 20 acres of grapes, which I have been an active participant in caring for and selling the 50+ tons of grapes. It is a wonderful community. However, down deep, my wife and I are more country than country club and we purchased 4 acres 5 miles away. The property will be home for our horses and it just so happened to have 200+ vines on it; equal amounts of zin, cab sauv, Syrah.
So, instead of managing a vineyard, I will now have to care for a vineyard. This season I will consider a loss as the vines look like they were pruned like a rose bush. Another chapter in my winemaking journey.

 

[srcorndog]

Nice set up looks like the cultivated field will be planted in vines, Did your old vines not have a trellis system? How bout a ground view like a close up was the previous owner pruning for a reason?

 

[crushday]

@NorCal - Congratulations. This is the start of a grand new adventure!!

 

[sour_grapes]

Congrats, @NorCal ! I am sure that you will hit it out of the park, as usual.

 

[mainshipfred]

Congrats, 20 acres to 200 vines you can do that in your sleep.

 

[jswordy]

Wow, congratulations! Very nice layout. Looking forward to progress reports.

 

[ibglowin]

Congrats on the new purchase!

Any place for a larger temp controlled winery/cellar?

 

[Obbnw]

and room for more vines!

But 200 vines is 10 times more than I have and 5 times more than I think I could handle...

 

[NorCal]

Congrats on the new purchase!

Any place for a larger temp controlled winery/cellar?

Thanks all. The aerial shot shows the 3,000 sqft barn and the open field next to is it is a sand arena, which hadn’t been used for years, as well as a big irrigation water fed pond. The winery will be in the barn, most likely real close to the entrance. I will definitely have the space to try new things.

 

[toadie]

Nice! Congrats! The pond will be awesome too.

 

[ibglowin]

Looks like you have one of them fancy "cement ponds" to boot!

 

[heatherd]

Looks great! Yay for you @NorCal !

 

[mainshipfred]

Thanks all. The aerial shot shows the 3,000 sqft barn and the open field next to is it is a sand arena, which hadn’t been used for years, as well as a big irrigation water fed pond. The winery will be in the barn, most likely real close to the entrance. I will definitely have the space to try new things.
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Great space, a little disappointed I haven't seen any plans for the winery yet.

 

[Ajmassa]

Incoming LLC for K&K

 

[crushday]

@NorCal - you might consider moving the winery to the back of the building. Looking at the picture you provide and the shadows, looks like morning sun is on the back side. That’s going to be the coolest side of the building if my assumptions about the sun path are correct.

 

[Bossbaby]

I don't feel bad for you.. JK looks like a very sweet set up, you will be going strong next year for sure, Congratulations!.

 

[Snafflebit]

I am managing about 200 vines and I am wiped out some days. But, if the vines are outside your back door it is so easy to do a little work over time.

I am probably preaching to the choir--now is a good time to get a soil test and a petiole analysis and get your vines to a good start.
I use A & L Western Agricultural Laboratories

 

[NorCal]

@NorCal - you might consider moving the winery to the back of the building. Looking at the picture you provide and the shadows, looks like morning sun is on the back side. That’s going to be the coolest side of the building if my assumptions about the sun path are correct.

With the stalls in the back, the horses will be occupying the back of the barn. I have a feeling that to get through the move and the upcoming hot weather, the wine box is going to make the move and be the short term solution. I’ll then see if it makes more sense to build a separate room.

 

[Rocky]

I could not be happier for you, NorCal. This is what you should be doing. Down the road, when you are a 5-Star winery, we can all say, "We remember when it began."

Best of good fortune with your new adventure.

 

[Kraffty]

What a cool situation that you've put yourself into. It certainly wasn't just luck or good fortune that got you here, more a pay off for all the work and effort you've put into the craft. Big Congrats!