Have you heard about Harvest Hosts, however you’re not fully positive what it’s? Or are you a member questioning what it is likely to be prefer to be a number? We focus loads on precious assets for our RV members, however on this article, we’re diving into a number of the superb causes to develop into a Harvest Hosts host!
Read on to study what the expertise has been like for White Raven Winery in Columbia Falls, Montana.
White Raven Winery
Montana isn’t precisely identified for its wineries. That’s exactly why Dan Murphy, proprietor of White Raven Winery in northwest Montana, booked it again to his hometown after a 30-plus-year absence when he realized that he may 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 dwelling and began a wine bottling enterprise in California, however at all times hoped to maneuver again to Montana. Dan defined that the problem was making a dwelling. In the agricultural-focused Flathead Valley, there are few job alternatives.
In 2016, timing aligned good. Shortly after discovering he may develop grapes in Columbia Falls, the chance to open a vineyard offered itself. Dan seized that chance, opening White Raven simply 16 minutes from West Glacier, Glacier National 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
Business has been regular for White Raven since opening day. That ought to come as no shock, since Glacier National Park welcomes simply over 3 million guests yearly, with the overwhelming majority of them touring by means of West Glacier.
When the house owners of fellow Montana vineyard Tongue River Vineyard & Winery advised Dan in regards to the Harvest Hosts program, he was intrigued. During Glacier’s peak summer season 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 1,000,000 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 constantly all through the summer season, 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 offer as presents.
If you may have two areas booked for 150 nights — lower than half the 12 months — that’s $9,000 in further income.
Dan says, “If I were asked from another potential Harvest Host should they become a host, I would say definitely. It added business to us for sure this summer and the diversity of folks that come through helps the business. You get a lot of exposure from that whole world, where they give you reviews, your products get known […] and it helps.” We all know the RV neighborhood is close-knit, and evaluations and word-of-mouth do actually matter!
Interested in Becoming a Host?
Harvest Hosts offers a cost-free alternative for small companies to extend income just by “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 providers required!
Ready to affix? Need extra info?
Send the Host Relations workforce an e mail at [email protected] or go to harvesthosts.com/hosts to get began.