New vineyard opens, wine industry flourishes

he wine industry continues to flourish in the Yadkin Valley.

Five vineyards have opened since the first of the year, and a sixth one will hold its grand opening Saturday.

For airline pilot David Blackwell and his wife Pamela, their Brandon Hills Vineyard is a dream come true.

"By planting a vineyard here, we ensure that for at least another generation this will remain farming land," said Blackwell.

Industry consultant Sean McRitchie said winemaking is still an experimental industry in North Carolina as vineyard owners try to determine what varieties of wine grapes will grow best here.

"You put grapes in the ground and you pull some out," said McRitchie, who owns McRitchie Wine Company. "The goal is obviously to have some good wine in the bottle."

Next to finding the right varieties, the climate poses the biggest challenge.

"With the weather patterns," said Blackwell. "Atlantic storms coming in at the wrong time or like we had this year an unseasonably wet spring, so it's going to be different year to year."

A native of Oregon, McRitchie has spent more than 30 years perfecting the art of winemaking.

He said there's been a steady improvement in the quality of North Carolina wines.

"And I think that's just from time," said McRitchie. "It's a very slow industry to develop and to find its niche and balance within the climate that it's in."

Blackwell said unlike many other industries there's a true camaraderie among vineyard owners.

"The North Carolina Wine Growers Association is a very close knit group," he said. "People open up. They're willing to help you in any way they can to get you started."

As he looked out at the fruits of his labor, Blackwell said he saw the promise of the future but remains focused on his craft.

"You see what we've done and I see what's left to do," said Blackwell. "And on a broader scale, it looks nice but I still see the flaws and I want everything to be perfect."

Brandon Hills Vineyard is located at 1927 Brandon Hills Road in Yadkinville.

Saturday's grand opening begins with a ribbon cutting at 11:50 a.m. and runs till 6 p.m.

Read the rest of the News 14 article here.

Amid a tough market, wine execs see opportunities

The wine industry is in the middle of a cyclical downturn, but Central Coast vintners have some advantages that will help in recovery.

That’s the view of Rob McMillan, chief of the wine industry lending unit at Silicon Valley Bank. He told the Central Coast MIT Enterprise Forum on June 17 that industry revenue growth has plunged from 20 percent to zero during the past two years amid a sharp pullback in buying, particularly among restaurants.

Richard Sanford, a Santa Barbara County wine pioneer, described the downturn as a “reset” for wine industry pricing. “We are finding that people will buy whites at under $20 per bottle and reds at under $30,” he said, adding that the days when restaurant goers and retail buyers would pay more than $50 for a bottle of wine are over — at least until the next industry upswing.

Sanford, owner of Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley and founder of Sanford Winery, said there still is a lot of opportunity for Santa Barbara and other Central Coast regions to make a profit from premium wines that sell for more than $15 per bottle. McMillan said that because land prices on the Central Coast are much lower than in Napa and Sonoma counties, the region remains an attractive location for wine grape growing.

Sanford also said the future of the industry may lie in sustainable practices that grow better-tasting wines that attract buyers who want organic products.

(source: pacbiztimes.com)

Tenn. wine shipping measure headed to governor

NASHVILLE — A proposal that would allow Tennessee consumers to have wine shipped directly to their homes is headed to the governor for his consideration.

The measure passed the House earlier this week and was approved by the Senate last month. The proposal was sent to Gov. Phil Bredesen on Thursday after the Senate agreed to technical changes made by the House.

The bill would allow wineries that acquire a $300 license to ship up to three cases to Tennessee consumers per year.

Tennessee is one of 15 states that bans direct shipment of wine, according to the Wine Institute, which represents California wineries and wine businesses.

Bredesen spokeswoman Lydia Lenker says the governor will review the legislation once it reaches his desk.

(source: winebusiness.com)

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Getting SB 607 Passed Into Law....

WinePress.US and its members are instrumental in bringing out of date CA law to light, and getting SB 607 passed into law.   In an initial inquest for a permit for the 2008 WinePress.US Winefest to the ABC, the ABC notified that the wine competition and wine swap would be illegal.  I sent dozens of emails to the ABC to find a way to host the Winefest legally.   Each one came back stating  that what I wanted to do was illegal.   

The law in place at that time prohibits home winemakers from transporting wines from the place where it was made, as well as giving it as a gift.  I sent out emails to nearly 20 winemaking clubs in CA, notifying them of the law.   Many of the WinePress.US members, especially Andy Coradeschi sent emails to local congressmen / women, wine clubs and more.    Andy has been instrumental as our point of contact with Senator Wiggins' and Senator Boyd's offices.  

Find the rest of the story here at www.winepress.us 

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Orchard Valley Supply, Inc. is focused on proving the same high level of customer service, quality products, and low wholesale prices that customers have become accustomed to over our 20+ years. We pride ourselves in quick service by providing same day shipping for in-stock items.  Contact us today or call Toll Free 888.755.0098