Wow - a buck a pound? I live here in the Sierra foothills; besides my own
vineyard, I buy grapes from a handful of commercial vineyards, and prices
are typically $.50 to $.65 - with the occassional exception higher (for
premium) and lower (for 'friends' grapes!). I can understand the CA grapes
costing you that much because of the shipping - but local grapes costing
that much? Ouch. that's $2,000 a ton.

Sounds like you'd better start planting that back acreage - there's gold in
them thar hills!



I have done pick-your-own on the east coast and they run from $0.90 to
$1.25. I have ordered grapes from California and pay from $1.00 to $1.25 /
lb. I would think that he could sell them to home wine makers. Once he
gets a client base it should be easy. But in the mean time he may need to
do some advertising through local wine clubs or something.

Ray

"EnoNut" wrote in message
oups.com...
I live in Calistoga and have a neighbor that has 5 acres of Cab fruit
on the valley floor. I've tasted a barrel he did from last year and it
was pretty awesome already. I'm talking to him about picking up 1/2
ton to do a barrel for myself. Is there a market for the hobbyist?
How would he go about it and what could he charge for the fruit? He
just bought his property last year and doesn't have a contract yet.

Any input from the team here would be appreciated.

Regards,

Rick