We would love to have your support to become a finalist for the 2021 FedEx Small Business Grant. You can vote once per day per person. Check out our entry video and essays below.

Vote here.

Here are our entry essays for the grant program.

Tell us about your business. What you provide, why you started, how you stand out among competition and any associated passion causes.

My veteran-owned winery’s mission is to create a simple life and complex wines. When you visit, the only thing complex is the flavor in the wines. The rest is simple. An old red barn. A vintage tractor. Sunshine. Laughter. I always hear that we stand out from other wineries. One reviewer said “it felt like we were at a friend’s house.” Most of my team holds certifications in the field. While we’re wine geeks, we strive to be the most approachable winery in our region. We only produce 1500 cases per vintage and have a reputation for some of the region’s best wines. It became my dream to do this during my 2 years stationed in Europe. I left corporate life to go after it. I studied in Napa and got a degree in winemaking to prepare. I use my platform to give back to fellow veterans and first responders. We give thousands of dollars worth of free tastings and discounts to these heroes. Each vintage features a wine dedicated to those who keep our country and communities safe.

How would you use the grant to enhance your business and recover from any impacts of COVID-19?

My hope is to replant several acres of vineyard on the 38-acre farm. We were hit with back to back polar vortex winters that decimated our vines. We couldn’t replant in 2020 due to a shifting business model caused by COVID-19 restrictions. We need thousands of vine cuttings, farm equipment and supplies that are beyond our budget. Any grant money from this program could make a huge impact on my veteran-owned farm. Our model requires us to rely on local vineyards, most belonging to wineries. When harvests are bountiful, it works as there are many grapes available. When harvests are thin, we’re lucky to get leftovers after the big producers keep the fruit for themselves. My goal is to have 10 acres of vineyard planted. We’d become self-sufficient from an agricultural standpoint. My site requires very little preparation. We’d replant on existing fields that are perfectly contoured for vines. We’re ready to take this next step, we just need some help to get there.