www.norcalvineyards.com Maple Creek Winery Estate

Maple Creek Winery Estate
“Enter as Strangers, Leave as Friends”
Winery to be Auctioned
Location: On site residence 9:00 am
August 30th, 2012
www.norcalvineyards.com

WINERY & WINES
Maple Creek is a boutique winery that was founded by Linda
Stutz and Tom Rodrigues in 2001. The Winery and Tasting
Room is nestled in the rolling Southern Mendocino hills of
the Yorkville Highlands appellation. Historically producing
2,500 cases annually of premium handcrafted wines, this little
treasure has many fans with a wine club that exceeds over
500 members. The wines are highly-awarded and considered
one of the best in Mendocino County.
Maple Creek produces two brands: Artevino, meaning “Art &
Wine”, of which the wines are produced exclusively from locally
purchased grapes. The Maple Creek brand, which has a limited
production, is produced from Estate grown fruit only. All of
the grapes used are from organic or sustainable vineyards.
The Winery’s sales grew steadily from 2001-2007, with a tapering
off and dip that reflects the current economic conditions.
With brand, image and pricing adjustments, as detailed
herein, the wines produced using estate grapes and
local vineyards will continue their ascent and are projected to
experience an increase in sales along with the premium wine
industry as a whole.
RECENT WINE REVIEWS AND AWARDS
2009 Artevino Reserve Chardonnay
- Best of Class - Northbay Wine Competition
- Gold – SF Chronicle Wine Competition
- Gold – North of the Gate
- Gold – North of the Gate
- Gold - Consumer Wine Awards
2009 Artevino Lost Creek Pinot Noir
- Double Gold - California State Fair
- Silver – Mendocino County Fair
- Silver – San Francisco Chronicle Competition
- Cum Laude – Best Package - Wine Literary Awards
2007 Artevino Largo Ridge Zinfandel
- Best of Class - SF International Wine Competition
- Gold – SF International Wine Competition
- Gold – California State Fair
- Gold – San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
- Silver – North of the Gate
The retail tasting room, website and direct to consumer
sales, including the wine club, generate approximately
90% of the revenue for the winery. Distribution through
the 3 tier channel is currently limited to the Bay Area. The
wine club ships two times a year - April and October and
generates approx 40% of winery sales.
The Tasting Room is open daily . The entrance is
located on Hwy 128, the main road through the Anderson
Valley to the Coast, it is traveled heavily by tourists.
Visit the website: www.maplecreekwine.com

Maple Creek Vineyard has 9+ acres planted - 4.5 acres of Chardonnay;
2.5 acres of Merlot and 2 acres of Symphony. According to Dr.
Paul Amorosa, terroir specialist who performed a slope plantable
test, there are additional plantable acres, although some of the
plantable land is currently woodland and covered in beautiful
trees.
The vineyard is in the Yorkville Highlands Appellation which is
characterized by hot days and cool nights. The soils are clay, loam
and rocky and the main vineyard is planted on a hillside which
provides great airflow and limts its exposure to frost.
Year Planted Net Acres Varietal Rootstock Clone
1987 – 88 2.2+ Chardonnay AXR / St.George
2006 2.5 Chardonnay St George/ Wente
1987 – 88 2.5+- Merlot AXR / St.George
In 2006 Maple Creek re-trellised the chardonnay vineyard
and also grafted the Cabernet to Chardonnay and Zinfandel
to Symphony. Ezenhauer Vineyard Management and Tom
Rodrigues currently manage and care for the vineyard.
The average tonnage production is approximately 2.5 tons
per acre - and the grapes are thinned to produce high quality
fruit for premium wines.
The grapes are grown using organic and sustainable farming
methods (although the vineyard is not organically certified).
The rootstock is believed to be AXR or St. George, but there
is no way to verify this as the records from the prior owners
do not exist. The vines are healthy and range from 5 - 25
years old. The quality of the fruit grown in this vineyard is
outstanding and it reflects the unique terroir.
VINEYARDS

RANCH
The property hosts a beautiful 3000 square foot home with incredible
views, wrap around decks, vaulted ceilings, open floor plan and a huge
river rock fire place. There is also, a charming guest cottage “La Casita
de Vino y Amour”, a 3 stall horse barn with tack room, a 1500 sq ft artist
studio, a separate equipment and storage barn and a lovely “A” frame
cedar sided model home that houses an employee.
There is a small 1/4 acre house vineyard which produces the luscious
Linda’s Vineyard Merlot. A lovely organic fruit orchard provides an
abundance of apples, pears, peaches, cherries, walnuts, asian pears and
persimmons that are great fresh or in chutneys and jams.
Wild mushrooms are also found in abundance on the property. Chantrelles,
morels, porcinis and more fungi delectables add to the self sustaining
nature of the property.
The namesake, Maple Creek, is a year-round creek that runs through
the Navarro Watershed. The creek is the eastern border of the property
and is very picturesque. The Ranch also boasts natural springs and 2
wells which produce approx. 15 gpm. Water is potable and plentiful on
this property.
The Ranch is zoned Range Land and is in the Williamson Agricultural
Act, reducing taxes and protecting the integrity of the land use. On the
undeveloped portion of the 164 acres, the land has rolling hills and native
live oaks, white oaks, black oaks, old growth douglas fir, madrone,
bay and buckeye trees. There is additional open space for potentional
plantable land or pasture land. And there are breathtaking views of the
hills of southern Mendocino and the north facing slopes of neighboring

Property Facts
Yorkville is a small,
ADDRESS: 20799 HWY 128, YORKVILLE, CA 95494
PARCEL NUMBERS well as - 049-080-44 rolling hills. 120 acres Highway 128
PARCEL NUMBERS - 029-360-56 44 acres
HWY 128 FRONTAGE
SOUTHWEST FACING PROPERTY
ELEVATION 900 - 1300 FT ABOVE SEA LEVEL
164 TOTAL ACRES
ZONED: RANGELAND & AG - WILLIAMSON ACT
9+ ACRES PLANTED: Chardonnay, Symphony, Merlot
ROOTSTOCK: AXR, ST GEORGE
YORKVILLE HIGHLANDS APPELLATION
MAPLE CREEK & 7 SPRINGS & 2 WELLS
SOILS: CLAY, LOAM, ROCKY
TREES: OAK, FIRS, MADRONES, BAY, BUCKEYE
ANIMALS: DEER, BOAR, BOBCAT, FOX, RABBIT
ABUNDANCE OF WILD EDIBLE MUSHROOMS
FRUIT ORCHARD & GARDENS
WINEMAKER: KERRY DAMSKEY & TOM RODRIGUES
PERMITTED FOR 20,000 GALLON PRODUCTION
WINERY PERMIT: BW-5553
VARIETIES PRODUCED: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir,
Zinfandel, Merlot, Symphony, Late Harvest
Blends: Cowboy Red, Montage
TRADEMARKS: Artevino; Maple Creek, Cowboy Red;
Buckin’Blanco

WINERY PHOTOS

RANCH PHOTOS

RANCH PHOTOS

Brief History of Mendocino Winemaking
Winegrapes were first planted in Mendocino County in the years following the California Gold Rush, in
the 1850s. Immigrant farmers, failing as prospectors, turned to agriculture as a way of life in their new
home. Saving the flatter lands on the river plains for farming food crops, these pioneer winegrowers
planted their vineyards on the more rugged hillsides and sun-exposed ridge tops.
Isolated from larger city markets to the south, Mendocino’s early winegrowers sold, traded and drank
their wines close to home. Vintners in Napa and Sonoma Counties, closer to San Francisco, transported
their wines to the big city market by boat, gaining greater exposure and broader markets for their bottlings.
By the time the railroad and highways had pushed farther north, to Mendocino County, Napa and Sonoma
wineries were already well-known and established in the burgeoning San Francisco wine market, a
gateway to the world for California’s wines. Mendocino winegrowing remained relatively unknown.
Prohibition nearly put a complete stop to Mendocino’s nascent winegrowing industry. The small wineries
disappeared and vineyard acreage declined. Only the efforts of the Parducci family in Ukiah kept
wine being made in Mendocino County in the difficult post-Prohibition years from 1933 until the 1960s.
The “wine boom,” beginning in the 1960s, inspired an increase in Mendocino grapes and wines. Shipping
was no longer a problem. Old vineyards were revived, new vineyards were planted, and local wineries
began to make wine from grapes that, just a few years earlier, had been shipped south to generic
wine producers in Sonoma County.
Through the 1970s and, especially, the 1980s, winegrowing expanded in Mendocino County. Grape
growers and winemakers became more skilled with the wine varieties and styles demanded by the
American public. Mendocino wineries, led by Parducci Wine Cellars and Fetzer Vineyards, gained great
acclaim and world-wide distribution.
Today, Mendocino vineyards and wineries prosper, as the name “Mendocino,” and the special qualities
of its wines, become increasingly well-known. Attention in the region has now turned to focus upon the
particular grape varieties and wine styles that, in each particular Mendocino microclimate, can produce
the best and most distinctive wines.
With new vineyard locations, different varietals, specialized viticultural techniques, a strong regional
emphasis on organic grape growing, and skilled winemaking, Mendocino grapes and wine are positioned
for even greater success in coming years.
This information is from the Visit Mendocino website.

Yorkville Highlands Appellation
In the tradition-steeped wine industry an appellation can take decades, if not centuries, to establish itself
as a source of consistently noteworthy wines. Armed with the knowledge that theirs is a distinct corner
of the viticultural world, a small but tenacious group of growers and winemakers in Mendocino County’s
Yorkville Highlands have begun to turn heads with wines from this young appellation. The Yorkville
Highlands appellation consists of approximately 40,000 acres straddling Highway 128 between the
Alexander Valley to the southeast and the Anderson Valley to the northwest. The appellation was first
approved in 1998 and has since increased itsacreage nearly six-fold, with its largest plantings in Cabernet
Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Merlot.
The Right Climate
What makes the Yorkville Highlands so special? The vast majority of the Yorkville Highlands’ vineyards
are planted on a continuous string of bench land between 1,000 and 2,200 feet in elevation. As the warm
afternoon air begins to turn hot, cooling breezes blow up into the region from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
The bench land vines benefit from this cooling effect, which protects the fruit from over-ripening and
causes some of the coldest evening temperatures along the North Coast. These frigid nighttime conditions
are essential for preserving grape acidity. The moderated temperatures allow for an extended growing
season, with the majority of the fruit being picked late in the season. Mature tannins in the red wines
are the result; they are long and complex without being overpowering. Most winemakers of the region
agree that Yorkville Highlands fruit can ripen evenly, with acidity, structure, and richness balancing each
other in the wines of the appellation.
The Right Soil
Yorkville Highlands soils also play an instrumental role in grape development. The gravel and ancient,
brittle rock characteristics found in the thin soils on the high benches force the vines to dig deep into
the soil. This poor and gravelly soil type probably explains the mineral characteristic of many Yorkville
Highlands wines.
“Old World” Meets “New World”
In less than a decade, the pioneering growers and winemakers of the Yorkville Highlands have learned
a lot about viticulture in the region. They are creating unique, site- specific wines that are beginning to
capture the attention of both wine lovers and critics. With their combination of “old world” balanced
acidity and minerality, along with “new world” ripeness and forward fruit, the Yorkville Highlands
appellation is one of California’s most exciting viticultural areas.
This information is from the YHVG website.

Maps
Maple Creek Winery, Ranch & Vineyard
Maple Creek Property
Tatsing
Room/Winery
Hwy
128
www.norcalvineyards.com
www.norcalvineyards.com Page 9

Property Overview
164 Acres
APN 049-080-44 = 120 Acres
APN 029-360-56 = 44 Acres
Hwy 128 Frontage
Elevation 900 – 1,300 ft Above Sea Level
Zoned – Range Land & Williamson Act
Water –Maple Creek, Springs & Two Wells
Pond
9+- Acres Planted To Vineyard
6+- Plantable Acres
Edible Wild Mushroom Habitat
Boar & Deer Hunting
Fruit Orchard
Vegetable & Flower Gardens
3,000+- sq/ft Main Residence plus decks
2 stall garage - 2,200 sq ft unfinished basement
2,100 sq/ft Winery
600 sq/ft Guest Cottage
1,500 sqft Art Studio
2,000 sq/ft Equipment Barn
300 sq/ft Storage Building
Farm Labor housing
Horse Barn & Pastures
Helicopter Pad
4 Containers
milled fir lumber from property
3 water tanks
The Ranch Property

The Winery Assets
Winery Asset Overview:
- see depreciaton schedule Maple Creek Winery tax returns & complete inventory list
Equipment:
Bladder Press
Hopper/Destemmer/Crusher
6 Stainless Steel Tanks
Barrels
Fermentation Bins
Fork Lift
GMC Duramax Diesel Truck
Sprayer
Inventory:
Casegoods - current estimate of 1,000 cases
Goodwill
Wine Club - approximately 500 +/- members
Location/Ambiance - 128 Hwy frontage
Intellectual Property:
Website: Domains: Maplecreekwine.com; Artevinowine.com
Trademarks: Artevino; Maple Creek; Cowboy Red; Buckin’ Blanco
(does not include artwork on the labels)
Federal Winery License - is contigent upon TTB application
ABC License - successful transfer contingent upon ABC acceptance of license application
* Owner is willing to cooperate by keeping exisitng license in place during new owners application
period.

Additional Opportunities to Add Value to The Winery
These opportunities will require capital investment - and the cost of this will need to be estimated by
professionals in the area of expertise. All Opportunities are the responsibility of the buyer/investor and
will need to comply with local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations. Possible ways to increase
income and ROI include:
The current winery facility would need to be increased in size to accommodate additional
production. It would also be recommended to buy additional equipment to manage a larger
operation. An alternative to adding to the infrastructure of the winery would be to have the
wine made at a custom crush facility. The existing winery could continue to be a tasting room
and storage facility. The cost of custom crush, winemaking and storage at another facility caries
and is unknown at this time and would be the responsibility of the buyer/investor to
investigate.
In addition to increased production, the winery would then need to develop the wholesale/distributor
market and it would be recommended to hire an employee to serve as Sales
Manager, in charge of outside sales, marketing and distribution.
Hypothetical: If the winery were to produce 8,000 +- cases at an average sales price of $200
case (an average of retail & wholesale), the winery could produce $1.6M in revenue. Of course,
additional expenses and economies of scale would apply to this growth.
The winery tasting room could be expanded to sell more varied retail items.

(C) Provided by the current owners.

Hypothetical General Management & Employee Job Descriptions
General Manager, Managing Partner or Owner: (full time or as needed)
Responsible for all operations of the ranch and winery. Report directly to Owners/Investors or
Board of Directors. Responsible for hiring and firing. Adherence to all employment laws.
Responsible for financial information - work directly with bookkeeper and CPA. Develop and
maintain budget. Make sure all local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations are followed.
Oversee marketing, public relations, sales and distribution. Institute all policies and procedures.
Make sure the ranch and winery mission and goals are being followed. Problem solve issues.
Project manage all special projects. Represent winery and ranch at events as necessary.
Ranch/Hospitality Manager: (full time or as needed - can work as Tasting Room Manager also)
Report to GM. Market ranch for rentals and events. Update calendar, website as needed.
Collect revenues and make sure local taxes are accounted for. Work with clients to create
events as requested. Work with vendors. Oversee preparation, cleaning and maintenance
of rental property. Prepare budget for events. Knowledgeable on and adhere to laws, rules
and regulations regarding rentals and events. Represent ranch at events as needed. Work
with winery to cross-market.
Tasting Room/Hospitality Manager: (full time or as needed - can work as Ranch Manager also)
Report to GM. Responsible for tasting room and wine club sales. Market winery events.
Update calendar, website and tasting notes as needed. Sell wine retail. Interface with
distributors. Provide a personal, enjoyable wine tasting experience. Knowledgeable on and
adhere to local, state and federal laws regarding the sale of alcohol, compliance and events.
Represent winery at events as needed. Work with ranch to cross-market.
Two part-time Tasting Room Sales Staff
Ranch Hand (full time) - gardens; maintenance; can help at winery when needed
Winery Cellar Worker with Experience (full time - can work in vineyard as needed)
Winemaker (part-time) or Consulting Winemaker
Vineyard Management Company - will need to contract
Seasonal workers or event workers as needed

Summary
The Ranch and Winery provide a unique opportunity to own a wine country property that offers a return
on investment.
It is believed that the property will increase in value over time, given the natural cycle of real estate.
Currently the real estate market is at a low, making this opportunity a great time to invest for a buyer.
If the real estate market trends increase, this 164 acre, Hwy 128 frontage property with plenty of water,
incredible aesthetics and sustainability, may increase in value and offer additional security to the
buyer.
The Winery, with inventory and a tasting room already generates income. The Winery has incredible
opportunity to grow in sales. Due to a shaky economy and uncertainity in ownership, the winery
sales have decreased. However, with a well-executed marketing plan and steady management, the
Winery has the potential to get back on track to increase sales at a possible annual rate of 10-15% or
more. From mid 2001 - 2006, the winery increased sales from $185K to $569K per annum and grew a
wine club to over 1,000 members. The opportunity is there and the right team can be assembled to
make this type of growth happen again.
Not often a property as magical as Maple Creek comes on the market. Whether the buying decision is
based on return on investment or a wine country life-style choice, this property is the crown jewel of
boutique Mendocino County properties that can adapt to many ideas. The creative possibilities are endless.
Thus, the motto for the Maple Creek Ranch & Winery rings true:
“Where Dreams and Reality Meet”

Auction Terms & Minimum Bid
The Ranch and Winery are currently the subject of a lawsuit for partition and dissolution between the
owners entitled Stutz v. Rodrigues, Mendocino County Superior Court SCUK CVG 10-0056623.
The court has ordered, consistent with Partition Statues, that the Ranch & Winery be sold at Auction
on August 30, 2012.
The bidders will be required to provide:
-Proof of ability to perform financially by buyers CPA or lender
-10% certified deposit prior to bidding, refundable at day of auction to unsuccessful bidder. Buyer
may leave monies on deposit, uncashed until court hearing at buyers option.
-All bidding will increase at 5% increments.
-All contingencies must be removed at bid, thus due diligence by the bidders is recommended prior
to auction.
Shortly after the auction on August 30, at a to be determined time, the court will either approve or
deny the sale. At that time, anyone may overbid at 5% increments and the court will approve or deny
the sale. If approved, which is the intended purpose of the auction, the close will occur within 30 days
of approved sale.
Minimum Bid Price: $1,950,000
Winery to be Auctioned
Location: On site residence 9:00 am
August 30, 2012
* Showing by appointment only. For more information about the winery and ranch,
contact Tony Ford, 707-391-5950, (tony@norcalvineyards.com) or Tom Larson,
(707-433-8000) tom@norcalvineyards.com

Tony Ford
DRE # 01406167
Wine Enthusiast / Sales
Cellular: 707.391.5950
tony@norcalvineyards.com
Tom Larson
President / Broker
DRE # 01057428
Cellular: 707.433.8000
tom@norcalvineyards.com
www.norcalvineyards.com
1303 College Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
601 South State Street, Ukiah, CA 95482
338 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, CA 95448