Tahoe Ridge Winery grows into new production facility

The fall harvest at Tahoe Ridge Winery will send a quarter million pounds of homegrown grapes 26 varietals through the wine production facility the company just opened at Airport Business Plaza north of Minden.

But the facility has the capacity to process a million pounds of fruit, says Rick Halbardier, owner.

"We will reach that level," he adds. "Five years ago we grew 16,000 pounds."

Cash flow has been a challenge to growth for the company's eight investors, who include Rick's wife, Kathy Halbardier.

"The wine business is extremely capital intensive," he says. The time to market (from planting) is 16 to 30 months.

"We plan a $3 capital campaign to meet the demands of the groves," he adds, "because production can't meet sales demands." Since sinking roots in Douglas County 17 years ago, Tahoe Ridge Winery has nursed its initial planting of 900 vines to 100,000 vines. Employment during peak times spring vine care and autumn harvest through the holidays is about 20.

Gift baskets and corporate gifts, with orders fulfilled from its small storefront in Genoa, supplement the commercial distribution of wines, handled by Southern Wine and Spirits of Sparks. Barbara Barbera is a lead label.

The expanded production facility, which measures 20,000 square feet with outdoor crush pad, replaces the former 5,000 square foot plant. It opened for public tours on Saturday. Carson City artist Don Langson art adds cache to the facility. Al Shankle Construction of Minden was the contractor.