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$4,000 to $6,000 per acre, or somewhere around $15,000 for
your three acres, per year.
In theory you should make a small profit, but don’t
forget that actually you’ve signed up to become a farmer.
The weather is now your partner and in the Okanagan
and Similkameen severe frosts and winter freezes can be
devastating. There are growers who have lost their entire crops
to winter kill in the last few years. No doubt these growers
will tell you it’s not a good idea to own a vineyard. Add to
that the fact that disease can cause serious problems, severely
reducing yields and the market for grapes can fluctuate too.
There’s a long list of other risks and dangers of owning a
vineyard, but that would probably put you off.
What the analysis doesn’t account for is that this is
your dream. Who wouldn’t want to own a vineyard, walk
through the rows of vines, tasting grapes in anticipation of the
upcoming harvest? It’s magical and it can work financially,
because there is no shortage of vineyards in the world.
Just make sure you select a very good vineyard site that
minimizes the viticultural risks, ensure it is planted with a
grape in high demand, managed by a skillful grower and get a
buyer lined up well before harvest. Getting some good advice
before you set sail is your first, smart move.
I’ve always wanted to work in a winery for the
harvest to get hands-on experience. I’m happy to travel
anywhere. Can you give me some guidance?
The most fun I’ve had in the last 20 years working in the
wine trade has definitely been working vintages. I’ve been
fortunate to do a few of them in Bordeaux and Australia as
well as one in Napa and the Okanagan.
It’s certainly the best way to learn about wine – you can’t learn
everything from a book.
My advice would be to pick a country or a winery where
they speak your language. You won’t learn much if you
can’t understand a word they’re saying. Next, give yourself a
minimum of three to four weeks so you can see a good chunk
of the process and keep in mind that harvest in the southern
hemisphere is in our spring.
To land a job, simply email dozens of producers in the targeted
area offering your services. The directories of all the wineries
can usually be found on the countrys’ trade association
websites.
Wineries often take on additional “cellar rats” at harvest, and
if you can show you are keen and reliable, sooner or later
someone will take you on. If you offer to work for free the
replies come back much faster. Some vineyards will provide
accommodation, meals and a small payment.
The critical thing is to find a winery that will let you move
from one task to another. Ideally you’ll get to work in the
vineyard sampling grapes, then work the crusher, destemmer
and presses, manage ferments, work in the barrel cellar and
the lab. That way you’ll maximize your learning experience.
Don’t get stuck picking grapes for a month.
Your best bet might be to make friends with a visiting
winemaker at a local wine festival. When you’re asking for a
job in person you’ll have more chance of success.
Thanks go out to our knowledgeable
readers for this issue’s interesting
questions about the world of wine.
if you have a question you’d like an
expert response to, simply send an
email to:
taste.magazine@bcliquorstores.com
and watch for answers in upcoming
issues of Taste!
TASTE109