Leopold Center - New online tools assist producers in wine, grape production

10-5-05
NEW ONLINE TOOLS ASSIST PRODUCERS IN WINE, GRAPE PRODUCTION

Ames, IA—Interactive spreadsheets and videos on the wine industry are now online at the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AgMRC) Web site to help producers determine whether a winery or vineyard might be feasible for their operation.

Iowa has seen a rebirth in its wine industry, according to experts at Iowa State University Extension. “In July of 2001, Iowa had 13 wineries,” said Craig Tordsen, value-added agriculture specialist. “We currently have 44 wineries within the state. The growth has been tremendous.”

“The renewed interest in wineries in the state of Iowa has also prompted interest in vineyards and wineries from other producers,” he added. “These tools give those researching the industry a better understanding of what is involved and what they can expect.”

The financial feasibility spreadsheets are included in two workbooks and the Total Wine Package videos, all available on the AgMRC Web site at http://www.agmrc.org/agmrc/commodity/fruits/wine/iowawineindustry.htm.

Funding for this project was provided in part by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, which has conducted and sponsored several research projects to redevelop Iowa's grape and wine industry. Additional funds are from the AgMRC and Iowa State University Extension Value-Added Agriculture Program.

According to Tordsen, the Ten-Year Winery Financial Planning Workbook can be used for any size winery. The program is flexible when it comes to options for sources of capital, equipment, marketing, staffing, fixed and variable expenses and sales projections. Reports include an asset and depreciation Schedule, a two-year monthly cash flow, a 10-year cash flow, income statements and balance sheets with a percentage analysis.

The Cost to Establish a Vineyard Workbook is designed to report all income and expenses of a one-acre vineyard for up to 13 years. There are three different vineyard workbooks, each for a different trellis style.

Three short videos, The Total Wine Package, explore the opportunity of growing grapes and making wine, a behind-the-scenes look at the science of enology, and selling a total wine experience. The videos have been streamed to download quickly at various connection speeds.

For more information, visit AgMRC online at www.agmrc.org or phone at (866) 277-5567 or visit the ISU viticulture Web page at http://viticulture.hort.iastate.edu/.