Inspection Procedure for New Vineyard Development

SITE

• Review site and give recommendations
• Review legal description and mapping of property lines.  If incomplete, may require services of licensed surveyor.
• Review property appraisal. If none consider a full property appraisal by a licensed appraiser
• Review applicable land clearing costs
• Review available PG&E power
• Access relationships/impact with neighboring properties
• Utilize orth-topographical maps to digitize plantable acreage. If no orth-topographical maps exist, they should be prepared by a licensed surveyor to that the plantable land can be calculated through digitizing. In addition to helping the buyer better understand the appraisal value of the property, the map is required for VESCO compliance as well as for drainage design, etc.
• Monitor weather patterns.  Maximum and minimum temperatures should be monitored to determine frost protection needs.
• Calculate degree days (number of days within specific temperature ranges) to determine which varietals are appropriate to the site.

COUNTY PERMITS/PLANNING

• Review property lines with Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner liaison to verify plantability according to WESCO (Vineyard Erosion Sediment Control Ordinance).
• Review property with Department of Fish & Game, Department of Forestry, Regional Water Quality Control, Resource Conservation District and when appropriate the Army Corps of Engineers.
• Submit pertinent applications of the above departments.

SOIL

• Perform a full soil suitability analysis on desired plantable acreage. Backhoe pits will be dug and samples taken by reputable soil expert in order to produce a detailed report outlining the physical description and soil chemistry for each pit.

WATER SYSTEMS

• Review water availability
• If well exists, perform well tests including agriculture suitability and bacteriological test. For accurate assessment of production, well should be tested in the late summer.  Well tests should be performed by a reputable well company.
• If new water development needed, consult licensed geologist to study future water development.
• Consult with water witcher for water locations
• Consult licensed engineer to review necessary drainage systems and to determine if collected drainage water could be utilized for potential irrigation water
• Consider perk test for potential home site

GRAPE MARKETABILITY

• Meet with winery to assess marketability of future grapes