Baer Ridge Vineyard

 

6870 Orchard Dr Timberville VA 22853

 

FAQs

  • How soon can an additional 5 ac be planted at Baer Ridge?

    • An additional 2.5 acres could be rush planted in 2025 if the site was acquired and vines purchased by November. Otherwise the timeline is 2026. The better timeline would be 2026. More land would need to be cleared, which is definitely a 2026 timeline for anything not already cleared.

  • What is the total cost of the additional 5 acres of planting?

    • We could imitate the existing vineyard and do wider rows with fewer plants per acre for closer to $20-25k/acre depending on material costs.

  • When can investor see a potential return on the 5 acres, or, when will grapes be ready for sale?

    • Four to five years.

  • Is there room for 5 more acres or is 2.5 our max at Baer Ridge?

    • There is room for up to 10-12 additional acres beyond the existing 4.2 acres. Of that 10-12, only 2.5 are available with no forest clearing prep.

  • Are there any additional costs at Baer Ridge that should be included?

    • The site needs a tractor suited for the site. Any site in VA with these slopes utilizes a tractor with tracks. Currently the tractor there is a safety concern. It's still a dicey slope to farm even with the best equipment. Also, the existing tractor is without a cab, which is critical for worker safety. I wouldn't farm the site with the existing tractor. That new tractor would be $50K.

  • Will the crops/vines be insured?

    • That is something that can be considered and explored, but the general convention is that the costs to insure almost equal to the value of the crop. Very rarely will a vineyard get crop insurance. There is not automatic disaster assistance like there is for other commodities, and crop insurance with the govt is very limited offsetting losses but not replacing losses.

  • Do you know of any current leases in place, or can you expect any contracts to be secured upon acquisition?

    • Crush and clients consumed about 6 tons of 2024 production. I'd say if we had our way, Crush et al would be desirous of 10 tons in 2025. We could initiate those contracts in the spring, as well as formalize contracts with other purchasing entities for the remainder of fruit in the spring and be signed by June. We could also build contracts for some clients that have them pay a non refundable deposit by April 1 to firmly secure the fruit.

  • Are there other local companies.