What is the cost to establish a vineyard in Sonoma County?
The “2004 University of California Cooperative Extension Sample Costs to Establish a Vineyard and Produce Wine Grapes” cost study is now available from the UC Cooperative Extension Sonoma County office or it can be downloaded from UC Cooperative Extension Index of Cost and Return Studies This publication details costs for establishing a 30 acre winegrape vineyard on flat ground with a 6′ x 8′ vine-by-row spacing. As with any cost study, some of the assumptions made in the development of a hypothetical vineyard will not be appropriate for your set of conditions. Additionally, a UC cost study does not contain the degree of detail that is usually required from the perspective of an accountant or lender. This cost study provides a hard copy template that allows you to allocate costs as “overhead” or “cash” in a manner that best suits your needs. UC vineyard cost studies written for other counties may also be informative.
