vets2vines.com

Barbera, Barbera Wine and Barbera Grape Growing Regions - Appellation America: “Once one of the most widely planted of California’s red varietals, this native of northern Italy’s Piedmont region has all but vanished there as a varietal-labeled wine. While Barbera’s total acreage has dramatically declined in the best regions, it is still a stronghold blending grape for the ‘jug wines’ of the Central Valley. There, its ability to retain high natural acidity is an important contribution to the rather soft and sluggish wines from this hot bulk wine area. Those few still dabbling in varietal Barbera from moderate climates and coastal vineyards provide wine lovers with wonderful deeply-colored reds, with abundant fruit, lively acidity and refined tannins. “

Barbera winegrapes for Solano County brought in $1769 / ton

Petit Verdot - Appellation America: “In the warm and dry conditions of South Australia and Northern California, where getting grapes to full ripeness is not an issue, Petit Verdot has not only succeeded but thrived. Acreage of Petit Verdot in both regions is on the upswing. “

PEtit Verdot in Solano County - $2000 / ton

Petit Verdot Wine Grape Variety - Cellar Notes: “Plantings of Petit Verdot are on the rise in California because the weather there allows for consistent ripening of the grapes. Many of the more prestigious and quality oriented producers in California are including small amounts in thier blends. There are a few California wineries that have gone against the historical trend and bottled wines with Petit Verdot as the primary grape variety. “

25x’25: “The U.S. imports nearly 57 percent of its oil, and imports could reach 70 percent by 2025, the Energy Information Administration predicts. Two-thirds of all the world’s oil is located in the Middle East (vs. just 2% in the U.S.). This dependence puts us in a very vulnerable position with countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran. America’s agriculture and forestry sectors can produce enough biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, to meet at least 25 percent of current U.S. gasoline consumption. Meeting more of our needs with renewable energy will help us break our addiction to imported oil. “

25x’25: “25x’25 Vision: By 2025 America’s working lands will provide 25 percent of the total energy consumed in the United States, while continuing to produce safe, abundant and affordable food, feed and fiber.”

Mankas Hills Vineyards: “San Ysidro sand loam in the meanderings of the creeks are also ideal for Merlot, Gamay, Shiraz, and Sauvignon Blanc.”

This is the same type of soil we have on our land… So we now have a good ideas of the varietals that could work. Additionally, Cab Sauv and Chardonnay are supposed to grow well with the clay soil. According to the USDA stats released March 10, 2006, just under 19,000 tons of winegrapes were harvested in 2005, from Solano County.

The average per ton for Solano County was $971. We will use this for the simple return on investment in our business plan. (you have access to our business plan on a need to know basis - just email or sms me for a link…)

NASS - Charts and Maps - Farm Values and Cash Rents: “Land Values: Farm Real Estate Value by State, US”

Eco Village Farm Learning Center - A Place To Learn and Grow

Shyaam Shabaka has been a friend of Dad’s for years and years. He recently spoke to me and mentioned he was interested in seeing Dad’s dreams come true.

Shabaka’s Seedlings Terrain Magazine, Summer 2005 Ecology Center: “Shabaka’s EcoVillage Farm, a couple of miles east of the inner city, offers urban residents an altered reality in which food is pulled from the ground (not plastic-wrapped on liquor store shelves), water flows in tributaries across the land (not from leaking faucets), and as much attention is bestowed on cultivating community (not maintaining deadly sidewalk wars) as is given to growing the squash and the peppers and the beehives. Though teenagers already attend EcoVillage workshops ranging from creek restoration to social justice, the site is still in its early phases.

WINE BUSINESS MONTHLY: Compensation for wine business employees is on the rise, according to the 2004 Wine Business Monthly Salary Survey, which revealed an average salary increase of 14 percent from 2003 to 2004. This increase is higher than the average increase for workers in the US, which was reported to be about 4 percent for the year ending June 2004, as measured by the Employment Cost Index (CPI).

“Bay Area salary increases will also be fueled by difficulties in recruitment and retention of highly skilled employees due to the ever-rising cost of housing. Because the skills needed today are more specialized and technical, there will also be less recruitment from the inside as wineries and search firms throw their nets far and wide to tempt the very best from other industries.”