Experience/expertise In Vineyard And Winery Appraisals?

[lchigdon]

Does anybody specialize in appraising vineyards, wineries, or both? I am here in Central Texas and am thinking it might be a worthwhile specialization as the industry continues to expand here.

 

[Stephen J. Vertin MAI]

Does anybody specialize in appraising vineyards, wineries, or both? I am here in Central Texas and am thinking it might be a worthwhile specialization as the industry continues to expand here.

Ichington:

Welcome to the forum. Now that is something I have never appraised. Wow...I rarely hear of assignments I have never done before. It may be a good speciality. I started doing methane digester in 2009 and by 2017 they made up 95 percent of my business. I did not go out looking for a specialization I simply fell into it. There are problems with specialization. If the market slows its like waking up on another planet sometimes. The first part of 2018 there was a change in the energy industry and I did not even know things had gotten crazy in the Chicago banking market until I lost 24 or 26 bids in a row. The upside is fees are way better than most bank or tax work jobs. The down side is you lose touch with other markets. Good luck, I would like to hear how it works out.

Steve

 

[Red Flint]

Fun endeavor, want to gird the basics and take a long term learning approach. There are appraisal classes for this. Would also want experience in separating component values among land and building, emblements, business, goodwill, and operator expertise (risk). Trimming and weeding are large expenses and require knowledge. Some outfits only use a portion of local vine production, and buy on the open market to supply their processing area. Public access areas add more complexity to a valuation. State laws involving alcohol production are important to know, there can be taxes involved in just moving inventory from building to building, and spot inspections. There is usually a group of growers that trade information amongst each other. Good luck!

 

[sail143]

You should contact the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers in Denver, CO. Several years ago the Director of Education was Mya Sadler - office phone is 303.692.1224. An appraiser in CA, JoAnn Wall, ARA wrote a notebook on appraising vineyards - her office phone is 805.286.4356. Her notebook is available for purchase via the Denver office.

 

[SpartanAG]

Correia - Xavier (www.c-x.com) out of Fresno, CA specialize in that type of property. They turn out a stellar report.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Vineyards, orchards, would be an excellent specialty for an appraiser, and @sail143 is right on target. ASFMRA is the source. You might have to go to the West coast for a course though. Also there are lots of nut orchards in SE NM & pecan orchards are common in N Texas/ S OK too.

 

[Stephen J. Vertin MAI]

Vineyards, orchards, would be an excellent specialty for an appraiser, and @sail143 is right on target. ASFMRA is the source. You might have to go to the West coast for a course though. Also there are lots of nut orchards in SE NM & pecan orchards are common in N Texas/ S OK too.

No argument California is top dog for wine production. But I am starting to see these things everywhere, especially Michigan where they make something called "ice wine". Further, I see them in Illinois and Indiana. It looks like all experts are in Californa which might make it a smaller market due to competition. Interesting people are providing so many people who specialize in the production.

 

[Michigan CG]

I have appraised vineyards, no wineries. As stated above, ASFMRA is the best place to get the books on this.

 

[The Warrior Monk]

I've never appraised but a winery. Interestingly enough, though, the eastern end of Long Island where I work has quite a few of them.

Years ago, a study was done pertaining to agriculture, and it was determined that Long Island has an excellent climate for growing grapes. Several wineries starting popping up, and several appraisers that worked the area (including my father) hired someone who ran a winery to give a seminar on the specifics of running a winery, including income, expenses, and all the other nuances. so that the would understand how to value these properties.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

see these things everywhere,

Several vineyards in the Ozarks dating from the 19th century. German and Italian communities. We also used to have a Welch's grape juice factory. But apples were king here until WWII. My grandfather told me once that you could drive for miles without losing sight of apple trees. My farm had both apples and black berries on it in the 30s and before. Disease in the apples hurt the industry and much of the crop had to be sold for vinegar or cider. Washington state took over the crown of being "Home of the Big Red Apple". Several varieties were developed here including the Arkansas Black and Shannon Pippin apple. Speas Vinegar was processed in Rogers, Arkansas well into my lifetime.