On April 17, 2008, the Commonwealth of Virginia launched operations of the Virginia Winery Distribution Company (VWDC). The new company is the result of action by the Virginia General Assembly to provide Virginia wineries and farm wineries an alternative to using independent wine wholesalers. Any Virginia winery that chooses to participate may distribute up to 3,000 cases of their wine per year through VWDC, which is associated with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS).
In the past, self-distribution allowed wineries to market and sell their products directly to shops and restaurants without using an independent wine wholesaler. In September 2005 the federal courts ruled that self-distribution by Virginia wineries was unconstitutional because it granted Virginia wineries privileges that were not extended to out-of-state wineries. On July 1, 2006, a new Virginia law eliminated all self-distribution privileges in Virginia. At that time, nearly two-thirds of Virginia wineries did not use independent wholesalers. Then during the 2007 General Assembly, Senator Emmett Hanger introduced legislation that created the Virginia Winery Distribution Company. VWDC, which operates within the existing wine distribution system, is a wine wholesaler tailored to the needs of small Virginia wineries.
According to Todd P. Haymore, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Virginia wine industry credits self-distribution with being the single most important factor in the growth of the number of farm wineries from six in 1980 to more than 130 today. “Losing the capability to self distribute was a major blow to many of our farm wineries,” said Haymore, “and winemakers and wine wholesalers recognize VWDC as a creative alternative for small wineries.”
Last year, Travel + Leisure magazine named Virginia as one of the Top 5 Wine Destinations in the World.
Piney River Organics Cuts Ribbon at Organic Egg-laying operation in Nelson County, VA
On Tuesday, April 15, the owners of Piney River Organics and special guests cut the ribbon for a new organic egg-laying operation at Black Eagle Farm in Piney River, Virginia. The Honorable William P. Dickinson, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, was the opening speaker. Black Eagle Farm is a family farm located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Nelson Country. The farm has been in continuous production for more than 200 years, producing cattle, hogs, sheep, hay and tobacco. Piney River Organics is the name under which organic eggs and natural meats are marketed.
The farm employs six full-time and three part-time employees. Each day Piney River will produce approximately 28,000 certified organic, free-range eggs. The organic rearing house, begun in November 2007, has been completed and now houses 25,000 maturing Bovan Brown laying hens. The rearing house totals 18,000 square feet.
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