Need 250 to 1000 acres for vineyards & winery!

[Ideas into Reality]

I drink one or two small glasses of wine per day just for the enjoyment and also the health benefits it gives. One of my favorite wines come from the Biltmore Winery in Ashville NC. Their Winery is a family owned operation (Cecil Family). I just don't understand why you would have to wait for a wet/dry vote to start a winery in Clay Co. Buy or long term lease the land and plant your vines. It will take years to get a good grape for wine making. In that time you could build a building to process your wine. Start small and build on the success of your wine. Think big but start small and build on your quality and experience.Rome was not built in a day.

[Robert A Quigley]

Ideas into Reality wrote:

I drink one or two small glasses of wine per day just for the enjoyment and also the health benefits it gives. One of my favorite wines come from the Biltmore Winery in Ashville NC. Their Winery is a family owned operation (Cecil Family). I just don't understand why you would have to wait for a wet/dry vote to start a winery in Clay Co. Buy or long term lease the land and plant your vines. It will take years to get a good grape for wine making. In that time you could build a building to process your wine. Start small and build on the success of your wine. Think big but start small and build on your quality and experience.Rome was not built in a day.

Glad to hear that you enjoy a good wine. NC does a great job with their wine.

1) We have several parcels under consideration within our acreage range.

2) Our team, already business owners and expecting to open another business in a few weeks here in the DC metro area, does not desire to become family farmers. There is nothing wrong with family farming. Everybody in our wine grape coop will be family farmers. However, at this point in life the goal is to build an industry.

3) We would never ever lease land and then spend millions building a project that would one day revert to the land owner. Would you? Our goal is not to give a particular land owner a lottery win. Our goal is to build an industry.

4) A big part of the vine & wine project is to operate a agri-tourism business just as all other big vine and wine projects across the planet. In order to maximize the income and profit stream we need all possible sales venues in CC to sell our wine.

5) CC needs industry, jobs and tax dollars desparately.

6) Why does CC lack an entertainment sector? Why does CC lack all of the normal entertainment venues like nice restaurants, bowling alleys, pubs, clubs and the like? B/C it is dry.

7) Do we understand that folks simply take their entertainment dollars and spend them in other places leaving CC holding an empty cookie jar?

8) Finally, we are not building Rome, just a few thousand acres of vines plus a wine industry.

We need all of the help we can get at every stage of the game starting with gathering signatures for the wet county petition then with getting out the vote to make CC wet. Afterwards we will need as many people as possible to join our wine grape coop. It will be open to both land owners and holders of long term leases.

Robert A. Quigley
Washington, DC

[understand]

Robert A Quigley wrote:

<quoted text>
Glad to hear that you enjoy a good wine. NC does a great job with their wine.
1) We have several parcels under consideration within our acreage range.
2) Our team, already business owners and expecting to open another business in a few weeks here in the DC metro area, does not desire to become family farmers. There is nothing wrong with family farming. Everybody in our wine grape coop will be family farmers. However, at this point in life the goal is to build an industry.
3) We would never ever lease land and then spend millions building a project that would one day revert to the land owner. Would you? Our goal is not to give a particular land owner a lottery win. Our goal is to build an industry.
4) A big part of the vine & wine project is to operate a agri-tourism business just as all other big vine and wine projects across the planet. In order to maximize the income and profit stream we need all possible sales venues in CC to sell our wine.
5) CC needs industry, jobs and tax dollars desparately.
6) Why does CC lack an entertainment sector? Why does CC lack all of the normal entertainment venues like nice restaurants, bowling alleys, pubs, clubs and the like? B/C it is dry.
7) Do we understand that folks simply take their entertainment dollars and spend them in other places leaving CC holding an empty cookie jar?
8) Finally, we are not building Rome, just a few thousand acres of vines plus a wine industry.
We need all of the help we can get at every stage of the game starting with gathering signatures for the wet county petition then with getting out the vote to make CC wet. Afterwards we will need as many people as possible to join our wine grape coop. It will be open to both land owners and holders of long term leases.
Robert A. Quigley
Washington, DC

After reading this I come away with the idea you are waiting for a wet vote so you can sell wine/drinks in your place. Also you are waiting for the federal/state/local government to front your winery with millions of dollars??????? This sounds really fishy Mr. Quigley.

[Robert A Quigley]

understand wrote:

<quoted text> After reading this I come away with the idea you are waiting for a wet vote so you can sell wine/drinks in your place. Also you are waiting for the federal/state/local government to front your winery with millions of dollars??????? This sounds really fishy Mr. Quigley.

Well fishy or not the facts are as follows.

1) KY state government is broke. They are receiving money from DC to cover their budget short fall. No hope of funding here in any meaningful amounts.

2) Local government is even more broke than KY state. We would never accept a local government issuing bonds or taking on debt to fund our project. We dislike lenders much like most folks dislike STDs!

3) The federal government is working with us to fund this project. No doubt. The issue is amount and exact federal source.

4) Most money comes from our pockets and investor pockets. The investors decided that if CC is wet then we will pursue the deal. If CC is dry then no deal! These are simple cash flow questions.

5) The project will have a nice restaurant in addition to the winery and wine tasting room. Tourist are not interested in self imposed places of abject poverty! CC must join the rest of the civilized world and provide a happy place for visitors to come and experience. CC has so much beautiful forest land, hiking trails and camping options that are simply off limits b/c CC has not yet joined us in the modern world.

It is most unfortunate that you seem to hate business and progress. The government is there for a reason and it is not to just take your tax dollars. Governments must step in when the local population arrives at an economic hole in the road. If CC did not need us then CC would not be the 16th poorest county in the country. Sorry for the reminder but one will find that our team deals in facts, nothing but facts!

Robert A. Quigley
Washington, DC

[Robert Quigley]

We are still accepting offers. There is an option in the project to have both the main vineyard and winery site as well as secondary vineyard only sites.

Email your proposals for consideration. The sellers will never get a better deal!!

[Fellow Citizen]

Robert A Quigley wrote:

<quoted text>
Well fishy or not the facts are as follows.
1) KY state government is broke. They are receiving money from DC to cover their budget short fall. No hope of funding here in any meaningful amounts.
2) Local government is even more broke than KY state. We would never accept a local government issuing bonds or taking on debt to fund our project. We dislike lenders much like most folks dislike STDs!
3) The federal government is working with us to fund this project. No doubt. The issue is amount and exact federal source.
4) Most money comes from our pockets and investor pockets. The investors decided that if CC is wet then we will pursue the deal. If CC is dry then no deal! These are simple cash flow questions.
5) The project will have a nice restaurant in addition to the winery and wine tasting room. Tourist are not interested in self imposed places of abject poverty! CC must join the rest of the civilized world and provide a happy place for visitors to come and experience. CC has so much beautiful forest land, hiking trails and camping options that are simply off limits b/c CC has not yet joined us in the modern world.
It is most unfortunate that you seem to hate business and progress. The government is there for a reason and it is not to just take your tax dollars. Governments must step in when the local population arrives at an economic hole in the road. If CC did not need us then CC would not be the 16th poorest county in the country. Sorry for the reminder but one will find that our team deals in facts, nothing but facts!
Robert A. Quigley
Washington, DC

So, you want Clay County to join the civilized world. Maybe become another Washington D.C.

Mr. Quigley are you a Washington D.C. resident? Do you notice the world around you when you go out?

Poverty abounds in D.C. Maybe you could start a petition to make D.C. wet and end the poverty and corruption. Oh, I’m sorry D.C. is wet. I guess it just takes a little while for the benefits of a wet D.C. to raise the poverty level.

Maybe you and Barry Marion could open a winery and restaurant. With all the tourist attractions of D.C., you guys can make a killing. If alcohol, wine and tourism can save Clay County, D.C. should be easy.

Nearly 1 out of 5 of D.C. residents lives at or below the poverty level. This represents an increase of nearly one-third since 1999–2000.1 In 2005, the D.C. poverty rate was 19.8%—the 3rd highest of any jurisdiction in the nation. The poverty rate in Maryland was then 8.2%, in Virginia 10% and in the U.S. as a whole 13.3%.2

D.C. has the highest rate of children in poverty of any jurisdiction in the U.S. 33% of D.C. children live in families with incomes below the official poverty level, as compared to 10% in Maryland, 12% in Virginia and 18% in the U.S. as a whole.3

1 DC Fiscal Policy Institute, DC's Two Economies: Many Residents Falling Behind Despite the City's Revitalization (October 2007).
2 Anna E. Casey Foundation, Kids Count Data Center, Children in Poverty (100%) Percent: 2006.
3 National Center for Children in Poverty, Low-Income Children in the United States: National and State Trend Data, 1995-2005.

[Robert Quigley]

Fellow Citizen wrote:

<quoted text>
So, you want Clay County to join the civilized world. Maybe become another Washington D.C.
Mr. Quigley are you a Washington D.C. resident? Do you notice the world around you when you go out?
Poverty abounds in D.C. Maybe you could start a petition to make D.C. wet and end the poverty and corruption. Oh, I’m sorry D.C. is wet. I guess it just takes a little while for the benefits of a wet D.C. to raise the poverty level.
Maybe you and Barry Marion could open a winery and restaurant. With all the tourist attractions of D.C., you guys can make a killing. If alcohol, wine and tourism can save Clay County, D.C. should be easy.
Nearly 1 out of 5 of D.C. residents lives at or below the poverty level. This represents an increase of nearly one-third since 1999–2000.1 In 2005, the D.C. poverty rate was 19.8%—the 3rd highest of any jurisdiction in the nation. The poverty rate in Maryland was then 8.2%, in Virginia 10% and in the U.S. as a whole 13.3%.2
D.C. has the highest rate of children in poverty of any jurisdiction in the U.S. 33% of D.C. children live in families with incomes below the official poverty level, as compared to 10% in Maryland, 12% in Virginia and 18% in the U.S. as a whole.3
1 DC Fiscal Policy Institute, DC's Two Economies: Many Residents Falling Behind Despite the City's Revitalization (October 2007).
2 Anna E. Casey Foundation, Kids Count Data Center, Children in Poverty (100%) Percent: 2006.
3 National Center for Children in Poverty, Low-Income Children in the United States: National and State Trend Data, 1995-2005.

Dear Fellow Citizen,
1) Please see www.shadowstats.com if you want a nearly perfect view of the national economy.
2) In all of the cities and regions of the country DC is by far the best and most stable and consistent economy.
3) DC is 68.5 sqaure miles, population at about 600K+ by night and 1.2 million by day. The local school system is one of the worst in country. Incompetence is so entrenched and institutionalized at the local government level that there is no hope. The election demographics has locked inner city DC into a perpetual struggle. So, your facts are not completely wrong.
4) However, when discussing DC you really must include the DC metro area which is basically within the belt way and about a ten mile stretch around the belt way. When you consider this normal market of inner city + suburbs then there is no other place in the country more successful economically speaking in every catagory.
5) In short, this is a tale of two cities! The ignorant drug invested fatherless part and of course the highly educated (6 in 10 people hold graduate degrees), high earning, stable family other part.
6) Live in DC. Born in KY. Family all over the place. However, DC is the wrong place for a vine & wine industry. Are you kidding!! We have small tiny parcels of land that are worth more than all of CC's private land holdings combined.
Basically, your point is "go away" and leave me alone. Please don't make us wet and mind your own business. Unfortunately my friend this can't happen. CC is one of the country's poorest, most corrupt, most drug infested, longest destitute place in the country, where in fact, CC should be a pristine agricultural, out doors, backpacking destination.
Help us help you. And, if you got some good ideas for DC, well pass them along and we will make sure congress, the mayor and local city council hears them.(Nothing smart elek but, real, thoughful suggestions will be passed along..)

[Robert Quigley]

Fellow Citizen wrote:

<quoted text>
So, you want Clay County to join the civilized world. Maybe become another Washington D.C.
Mr. Quigley are you a Washington D.C. resident? Do you notice the world around you when you go out?
Poverty abounds in D.C. Maybe you could start a petition to make D.C. wet and end the poverty and corruption. Oh, I’m sorry D.C. is wet. I guess it just takes a little while for the benefits of a wet D.C. to raise the poverty level.
Maybe you and Barry Marion could open a winery and restaurant. With all the tourist attractions of D.C., you guys can make a killing. If alcohol, wine and tourism can save Clay County, D.C. should be easy.
Nearly 1 out of 5 of D.C. residents lives at or below the poverty level. This represents an increase of nearly one-third since 1999–2000.1 In 2005, the D.C. poverty rate was 19.8%—the 3rd highest of any jurisdiction in the nation. The poverty rate in Maryland was then 8.2%, in Virginia 10% and in the U.S. as a whole 13.3%.2
D.C. has the highest rate of children in poverty of any jurisdiction in the U.S. 33% of D.C. children live in families with incomes below the official poverty level, as compared to 10% in Maryland, 12% in Virginia and 18% in the U.S. as a whole.3
1 DC Fiscal Policy Institute, DC's Two Economies: Many Residents Falling Behind Despite the City's Revitalization (October 2007).
2 Anna E. Casey Foundation, Kids Count Data Center, Children in Poverty (100%) Percent: 2006.
3 National Center for Children in Poverty, Low-Income Children in the United States: National and State Trend Data, 1995-2005.

Remember all that only CC voters can sign the petition and vote in the election. The rest of us are just spectators for the moment.

[Clay County Visitor]

Quigley, there are several tracts for sale right here in the real estate section.

There is almost 1,000 acres on Beech Creek for $750.00 an acre. You want lower priced?!! What are you looking for $400.00? How low is acceptable? The prices advertised seem reasonable to me. If I was looking for land there, and could afford 250 or more acres I would go for $700.00 an acre.

[Clay County Visitor]

That is to say with mineral rights. And water rights.

[Obama Dodd ACORN Fraud]

kindly dragon wrote:

im thinking of starting a ski resort,since i am expecting about 6 feet of snow this winter

I might be able to help you out with the resort,and a ski lift.You know we'll have to have a 4 star restaurant within the resort pool area's?

There will be an indoor pool, bar's,spa's,jacuzzui's,and several massage parlors,along with your gift shop,and my Chandlery.

We'll need an office too.Should be atleast 75 job's.

[Robert Quigley]

Clay County Visitor wrote:

Quigley, there are several tracts for sale right here in the real estate section.
There is almost 1,000 acres on Beech Creek for $750.00 an acre. You want lower priced?!! What are you looking for $400.00? How low is acceptable? The prices advertised seem reasonable to me. If I was looking for land there, and could afford 250 or more acres I would go for $700.00 an acre.

1) We would like to see the real estate section referenced in your post. Please scan and email or drop it in the snail mail. If it as a website then please email and or post the address. If small in words you could just reproduce it in an email or comment.

2) Did you receive the email sent your way yesterday?

3) There is a chance the 1000 acres you are referencing is actually the 975 acre parcel owned by Phil Williams a lumber company owner out of Jessup Georgia. If so then we spoke to him originally and had planned to put the project on his land. He initially asked $1.2 million for the parcel. However, there are issues with this land.(A) As some of our funding is public money we can't accept "flip" deals at prices above what the flipper paid. Tax payers wouldn't be happy.(B) As a consequence of 'A' the deal would require a shareholder or profit sharing arrangement NOT just a typical check for parcel exchange.(C) Real estate is always tricky when public money is involved b/c the opportunity for hidden kick-backs, abuse, valuation scams etc are forever present.

(4) Any and all parcels brought into the project must include all fee simple rights including mineral and water rights as you mentioned. Why? Too much money will be poured into the project to allow even a remote possibility that another right holder could up-root the huge sunken investment. Just look at a simple formula, 200 acres@one million bottles of basic wine@$4 to $5 per bottle@75 years (the average life of a vineyard) and the number becomes huge. So the simple answer is all fee simple rights must be included.

(5) Another aspect of this project requires us to bring on as much local participation as possible from both a community economic development view as well as a good business practice. Why? When all is said and done, although we will bring many experts to live and work on the project in CC, by far most of the people/farmers will already live and work in and around CC.

(6) Finally we must consider issues such as total acreage v. plantable acreage. 1000 acres with just 200 acres of plantable land equals about $80,000 or less. Most of this land is just a picture. Slopes, logging, ease of clearing, forestry issues, aspect of the land to sunlight all must be considered. For example, east, southeast and south facing slopes are much better than north, northwestern and western facing slopes b/c of sunlight issues. The harvest time for wine grapes ranges from mid-summer to early fall. All land can grow wine grapes it is just that that particular slope is better suited for one grape or another.

We are happy to look at whatever parcel you have in mind for either the primary site or secondary project vineyard sites only.

[Clay County Visitor]

Quigley, go to the top left corner of this page and click on real estate. It is under the Forum & Polls link. Example:

Manchester
News
Forums & Polls

News Wire
Entertainment

Shopping

Yellow Pages
Coupons
Real Estate **

Jobs
Local Singles
Photos
Topix Toolbar

I do understand about the south facing elevations. But you will need to harvest the timber too, won't you?

No I have not gotten an email from you, yet. My address is [e-mail].

[Robert Quigley]

Clay County Visitor wrote:

Quigley, go to the top left corner of this page and click on real estate. It is under the Forum & Polls link. Example:
Manchester
News
Forums & Polls
News Wire
Entertainment
Shopping
Yellow Pages
Coupons
Real Estate **
Jobs
Local Singles
Photos
Topix Toolbar
I do understand about the south facing elevations. But you will need to harvest the timber too, won't you?
No I have not gotten an email from you, yet. My address is [e-mail].

Thanks for the info.

1) The email was sent. Please advise if not received.
2) Frankly speaking the timber and need to clear it is a cost, pain in the butt and a nuiance to us. Why? The building boom is over and will not return for decadeS. So, there is little value in the timber to us.
3) Granted some of the timber could be used for fencing around the vineyards and additional fencing around the whole project as well as decorative fencing in the project. Deers love grapes. However, the amount of timber on many of these parcels is way more by orders of magnitude then we need or want.
4) Yes the 975 acre parcel is the Phil Williams parcel who by the way has a relative still living in the CC area that takes care of that property as well as another smaller 180 to 200 acre parcel he owns. Poor guy made a really bad investment in that the building boom collapsed before he could harvest.
5) Also this 975 acre parcel is the perfect example of over valuation. It has roughly 100 acres of plantable land and 875 acres of picture postcard land. To us that whole parcel is worth about $40,000 and change. Also, Phil and his partners have some serious financial problems and are trying to grab a hand full of cash for that property. That parcel may work as a secondary vineyard only site but, it is so over valued that we fear it will remian fallow for decades longer. Who knows, when this project breaks ground then maybe down the road his land will b/c more valuable.

Thanks for keeping an eye on land possibilities!!

[Clay County Farm]

My friend is in the real estate business and their comapny has a 250 arce farm for sale for $250,000, and the land is mostly level to rolling. That's only $1,000.00 per acre, an excellent price. You have talked to several agents about this property but I hear you say it to much money. Put you money where your mouth is a do some business.

[Spitfire]

I think we have found out his "SCAM" just like all people from the outside they want something for nothing, from dumb hillbillys!!!!!!

[Robert Quigley]

Clay County Farm wrote:

My friend is in the real estate business and their comapny has a 250 arce farm for sale for $250,000, and the land is mostly level to rolling. That's only $1,000.00 per acre, an excellent price. You have talked to several agents about this property but I hear you say it to much money. Put you money where your mouth is a do some business.

We know this property and it's owners and can not comment beyond what has already been said!