Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/210765
w i n e B U S INE S S thing that has not yet played out but I am hopeful for. I would not have done it differently even though it might not be the best thing for our bottom line." "A potential worst, but one where we dodged the bullet, was expanding our production capability by adding space and 'magic' to what we do here. We had a project that we worked on for 18 months to install caves in the hillsides behind the winery. The timing, 2007– 08, and $5 million cost would have brought us to our knees had we not stopped in time. It is probably the best decision we ever made. "I think the worst decision—or one I would want to revisit from years ago— was to expand production too quickly to the point where we capitalized using debt rather than initial capitalization or profit. We found ourselves several years ago—and still now in the same position — with debt that helped us expand but simultaneously put huge annual interest on us. That is not a good position to be in when you have to pare bottle prices as one might in a recession." Dominio IV Wines "My best decision was in buying vineyards for ourselves, which we bought the same year we started producing wine: 2002. The site is a century-old cherry orchard that had gone unsprayed for many years," says Patrick Reuter, winemaker at Dominio IV Wines, which is in McMinnville, Ore., and also has vineyards near the Columbia River Gorge town of Mosier, Ore. "We pulled out the stumps and planted vines; you can still see the vestiges of years past such as drainage tiles. "We started with Tempranillo, Syrah and a little Viognier grown Biodymically from the onset. We have planted different varieties of fruit trees, both traditional and exotic, to increase biodiversity along with a labyrinth-arranged row of 852 vines, in which visitors can come and walk around. It is planted as a five-variety field blend from which we will produce a cuvée. We encourage those staying in our bed and breakfast to walk (the labyrinth) even to enjoy a glass of wine — there." Reuter likens the vineyard to cultivating a garden in a quest to increase biodiversity. He purchases fruit for vineyarddesignated Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from farmers that see eye to eye with him about increasing organic and Biodynamic viticulture. "Farming Three Sleeps Vineyard has allowed us to go on tangents," he explains, "to explore the farming process. "We did not start with a trust fund or investors with deep pockets. We are selffunded, and that has been limiting. It has made us grow simply and organically. It tests your patience and resolve, it is a struggle in process. It may not end up later being a bad thing, but there is no net, no back-stop. We are living on the edge in many ways. "We have no marketing budget, we do not take many sales trips, and that keeps us a little 'underground.' It is not an easy path not being managed by outside entities (to be internally funded but freeing at the same time); sorry that it sounds like something a politician might say." Protect the aroma and flavor of your white wines Our new analysis monitors Glutathione, a natural grape antioxidant. • Prevent premature aging • Protect'light'and'fruity'aromasandflavors • Maximizeglutathioneprotectioninfinished wines and prevent loss during winemaking Learn more: www.etslabs.com/gsh www.etslabs.com | (707) 963-4806 pr actica l win ery & vin eya r d DECEM B ER 20 13 67