California wine bosses pivot to old-school revenue source as wine cash dries up

Northern California wine grape growers are giving guests a unique opportunity, offering their land up for lodging and other experiences, as they struggle to survive amid the change in wine consumption.Located in Lake County, “The Ripe Choice Farm Stay and Catering” owners Mark and Tammy Lipps have gone from making grapes to offering everything from their place as a wedding venue to special dining events, cooking classes, and even a place for guests to stay overnight offering “farm stay.”There’s even the option to purchase a farm-grown locally sourced picnic or other meal options.It’s all in an attempt to keep their 6-acre farm operating as the wine industry battles with a surplus of grapes with younger generations’ alcohol habits looking very different than their prior generations.“Because of the flood of grapes we couldn’t sell them last year,” Mark Lipps told the Press Democrat.The Lipps — who moved to the area from southern California’s Manhattan Beach in March 2020 — property includes not only rows of grape vineyards and orchards, but also a barn that can be used as an event facility and barn loft rentals for guests.“The remarkable studio space is a modern barn loft within a 100-yr old barn on a working vineyard, orchard and farm.It is a fully open studio plan offering comfortable seating area, dining table, king bed, Egyptian cotton linens and a 4×6 walk-in rain shower.

All with views of the farm,” a message on their website read. They offer a place for those seeking a different kind of outdoor camping experience, offering guests a place to park their camper or RV.The Nelson Family Vineyards, located about two hours north of the Bay Area in Mendocino County’s Ukiah, are also diversifying their offerings.Allowing a similar experience for visitors and guests through HipCamp, an online booking platform for campers.“Nelson Family Vineyards, Ukiah, California RV sites set along a private ridge overlooking vineyards, pear orchar...