Have you ever heard about Harvest Hosts, however you’re not fully certain what it’s? Or are you a member questioning what it could be prefer to be a bunch? We focus lots on invaluable sources for our RV members, however on this article, we’re diving into a few of the superb causes to turn out to be a Harvest Hosts host!
Learn on to study what the expertise has been like for White Raven Vineyard in Columbia Falls, Montana.
White Raven Vineyard
Montana isn’t precisely identified for its wineries. That’s exactly why Dan Murphy, proprietor of White Raven Vineyard in northwest Montana, booked it again to his hometown after a 30-plus-year absence when he realized that he might develop grapes right here.
Dan and his highschool sweetheart, Rebecca, left Columbia Falls shortly after commencement. The couple bounced round and finally landed in San Diego, the place Dan was stationed with the Marine Corps. They dabbled in winemaking at residence and began a wine bottling enterprise in California, however all the time hoped to maneuver again to Montana. Dan defined that the problem was making a residing. Within the agricultural-focused Flathead Valley, there are few job alternatives.
In 2016, timing aligned good. Shortly after discovering he might develop grapes in Columbia Falls, the chance to open a vineyard introduced itself. Dan seized that chance, opening White Raven simply 16 minutes from West Glacier, Glacier Nationwide Park’s solely year-round entrance. It opened in 2018 and remains to be the city’s solely vineyard at this time. White Raven can be open year-round, which is pretty uncommon for companies on this space.
From Winemaker to Harvest Hosts Host
Enterprise has been regular for White Raven since opening day. That ought to come as no shock, since Glacier Nationwide Park welcomes simply over 3 million guests yearly, with the overwhelming majority of them touring by way of West Glacier.
When the house owners of fellow Montana vineyard Tongue River Winery & Vineyard advised Dan in regards to the Harvest Hosts program, he was intrigued. Throughout Glacier’s peak summer time season, campsites are scarce — and that’s placing it mildly. The park welcomes over 90% of its annual guests between June and September, amounting to properly over half one million individuals every month throughout that interval, however has lower than 500 campsites.
Signing up as a Harvest Host location was a no brainer for Dan. It turned official in spring of 2022. The vineyard’s 4 areas booked out persistently all through the summer time, and Dan noticed a mean spend of about $30 per RV, per night time. Even amongst campers who don’t drink wine, many purchased charcuterie boards, merch, or bottles to present as presents.
In case you have two areas booked for 150 nights — lower than half the yr — that’s $9,000 in further income.
Dan says, “If I had been requested from one other potential Harvest Host ought to they turn out to be a bunch, I’d say positively. It added enterprise to us for certain this summer time and the variety of parents that come by way of helps the enterprise. You get lots of publicity from that entire world, the place they provide you critiques, your merchandise get identified […] and it helps.” Everyone knows the RV neighborhood is close-knit, and critiques and word-of-mouth do definitely matter!
All in favour of Changing into a Host?
Harvest Hosts offers a cost-free alternative for small companies to extend income just by “internet hosting” our self-contained RV members for one night time on their property. In return, our Members patronize the companies. No electrical/water hookups or different RV companies required!
Prepared to affix? Want extra info?
Ship the Host Relations group an e-mail at [email protected] or go to harvesthosts.com/hosts to get began.