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Despite economy, new winery in works at old county fair site
Sharon C. Fitzgerald, 11/8/2010
Website: http://www2.dailyprogress.com/business/2010/nov/07/despite-economy-new-winery-works-old-county-fair-s-ar-637740/
PDF: Pippin Hill - Daily Progress - November 8, 2010
The Daily Progress published a front page story by Sharon Fitzgerald on Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards which is currently under construction at Bundoran Farm. It's a good story profiling how a powerful vision, solid planning and experienced and passionate team can lead to the development of what will be a great addition to Bundoran Farm.
Below and attached are the full article by Sharon Fitzgerald.
Dean Andrews hopes to create a beautiful spot for couples to marry, co-workers to retreat and where everyone can enjoy a glass of wine.
Andrews, a former hotel executive, is building Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards in North Garden. The 40-acre vineyard is under construction in Bundoran Farm and expected to be open in the spring.
Andrews looked at 20 parcels of land before deciding on the five acres where Pippin Hill Farm will be built.
“When we started looking for the perfect place to build our vineyard, we wanted a place where we could preserve the character of the land,” Andrews said. “We just kept coming back to Bundoran Farms.”
Unlike most wineries, Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyard is being built with the idea of being an event destination. The business will have space for small group meetings and room to seat weddings with 200 guests.
“Whether it is an executive-level corporate event, a premier wedding, an extravagant party or simply a private dining experience, we want to cater to every need,” Andrews said.
Pippin Hill Farm construction comes in challenging economic times, but Andrews said he has a solid business plan and financial backing from a local bank and investors.
Although consumption and sales of Virginia wines were up 13 percent last year, state wine officials say as many as a dozen Virginia wineries are facing problems because of the economy.
Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyards in Albemarle County and Sweely Estates Winery in Madison County are both facing auctions due to unpaid bills. Andrews said he understands why this might not be the best time to start a new business, but he and others are confident.
“We have taken a very different approach, with a carefully planned initial investment and very conservative leveraging for our boutique winery operation,” Andrews said. “Further, we are partnering with Michael Shaps and Virginia WineWorks for our winemaking, so we are sharing in that capital expense in the early years as we grow our business.”
Annette R. Boyd, marketing director for the Virginia Wine Marketing Office, said every winery has its own unique business plan, including Andrews’. In Virginia, 99 of the state’s 166 registered wineries host private parties and 83 host weddings.
“Most people get into the wine business to make wine,” she said. “They use events to supplement their income, but the focus is on their wine.”
Andrews and his wife, Lynn Easton Andrews, wanted a place that would bring together wine, food and festivities. Lynn Easton Andrews owns Easton Events in Charlottesville.
The Andrewses’ years of business experience led them to want to create a vineyard.
“Our plan is to have a boutique winery with a locally focused food and beverage offering, together with an integrated, custom-designed events and private dining venue,” Dean Andrews said.
Although the couple is hoping to build a business around being a party destination, Andrews said his business is primarily a farm winery that will expand in time.
The two buildings at Pippin Hill Farm will be constructed eco-friendly, with the goal to have as little construction waste as possible. Other earth-friendly features include rainwater harvesting, geothermal heating and cooling and the use of dark sky principles, which uses lighting that will preserve night sky views.
“One of the amazing things about being out here is the amazing view of the stars,” said Joseph Barnes, who works with Celebration Associates, general manager of Bundoran Farm. “We wanted to preserve that as much as possible for all of our residents.”
Although there is no vineyard on site, Andrews had purchased grapes from other growers and has worked with Virginia WineWorks to create the first Pippin Hill Farm wines. They will offer chardonnay, viognier, merlot and cabernet franc.
Andrews plans to plant five acres initially.
Once the business is up and running, Pippin Hill Farm will host cooking and wine-pairing classes. They also have plans to make their own jams and jellies and work with local farmers to sell a variety of locally produced foods.
For Bundoran Farm, the winery fits in with the goal of preservation development. This concept allows for limited residential and only agricultural business development.
There are currently a handful of homes, a cattle operation and apple orchards on site.
Bundoran Farm had been the longtime site for the Albemarle County Fair. But earlier this year, property owners decided not to renew the fair’s lease.
Although the fair is agriculturally based, property owners wanted to pursue other tenants, Barnes said.
“[We think] they would benefit from having a permanent location because it’s a big hardship to set up and break down the fair every year,” Barnes said.
Andrews said he hopes to have 15 full-time employees once the business is up and running.
“It really will be a full farm program and a great local story,” Andrews said.
ON THE WEB
For more information, visit www.pippinhillfarm.com or www.bundoranfarm.com.
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