Somewhere to plant our Vineyard

 

Vineyard, the great Idea?

Well over a wine or two we had a great idea! lets buy a vineyard. Lets make wine, a great idea for our  retirement. Of course we thought – no problem; grow, squeeze some grapes, stick it in a bottle with a nice label. A flourishing business, minimum profit but an exciting “hobby” for us both to learn, travel and even get the rug rats involved.

After a few days of talking about it, we thought lets see what is involved and where we could get a vineyard. But one where it would let us grow with it, through all the expected ups and downs on the way. So off I went on the internet and first stop was Napa and Sonoma areas in California.

Time to research

We looked for small vineyards and found some, but the cost made this Scotsman blackout. Luckily when I recovered the page was gone. But as we thought a very small vineyard was possible. But with no real support, and a steep learning curve, it would not be viable during our retirement. Simply any cash would be gone before we produced any wine. We did find a “club” that had the concept we were looking for, it was by invite only and we didn’t know anyone so we shied away from “snobs are us club”. Which it probably wasn’t but this was a hobby, a joy for us we could contribute, learn from, rather than be under pressure from the get go.

Success

But in that search was a project called The Vines of Mendoza, Argentina – the premium place in the world for Malbec. So we had a look, saw the resort and also more importantly “private vineyards”. We read and re-read, as it was what we were looking for. With our involvement as little or as much as we liked, with dedicated support from all the Vines staff. So at the beginning, small involvement, large amount of learning, eventually turning that around to maximum involvement as our time allows.

Right what’s the cost?

OK, I know what your thinking, it costs a fortune. Well we contacted them and had many phone calls on pricing, fees, ownership in a foreign country etc. I made up spreadsheets and we bombarded the VP of sales, Bryan Driscoll with questions, questions on the answers from our original questions. I’m sure he couldn’t wait for the next email and or phone call.

Well we talked it over and counted our pennies, and even worked out what we spend now, we could receive the same income from the vineyard as we could if we left it invested. BUT this time with land and a brand as well.  A trip was planned to see the site – just in case it was not as advertised. all for due diligence, I suppose you would call it.

Time for a trip

So flights booked, Colleen was in first class I was in a dog carrier in the hold and off we went, via Lima, to Mendoza. We landed, luggage lost!!, it took 4 days to get it – we were only there 6 days, so underwear front and back inside and out and finally commando! They did have a laundry at The Vines resort and spa to say it was beautiful is the biggest understatement. click the link above and the photo gallery in the side bar menu, for why it is truly listed as one of the places you must visit in the world.

To the Resort to check out the Vineyards

We met everyone in the “team” who was available, wonderful welcoming people, we were treated to the best food, a created itinerary, for the surrounding areas restaurants and wineries. On top of this we met with other private vineyard owners, who were there also. There was no resistance, just absolute friendliness and a willingness to get to know and help us in any way they could there and when we were back in the US, as many owners are US based and a few in the Houston area.

OK, so far so good – but lets see the plots available and similar plots at 1 year and 2 year and those in full production, just to see if they were all similar or they were “preferential areas” and all the good ones have gone.

Here are a couple of the plots about 3 years or more growth. An outstanding place and the plots we were interested in were in three areas we had seen on the site plan all about 6 acres or so in size.

 

We knew that it would be bare as unplanted land was not jungle wild but certainly in the “Dirt and Cactus” style. We chose our plot – number 400, and as you will see from the video, dirt and cactus it certainly is, but it is our dirt and cactus now.

Well that’s the first part of this journey, hopefully you found it interesting. You can subscribe, for future posts, newsletters on, planting, choosing our varietals. The plan is to write about all things through to the actual production, aging and bringing the Maxson family Vineyard, wine to market. Please feel free to comment and reply, but be kind, we are sensitive souls.

Derek & Colleen.