10-K: Willamette Valley Vineyards Reports Increased Revenue but Net Loss Widens in 2023

• Willamette Valley Vineyards reported a net loss of $1,198,593 for 2023, which is an increase of $552,101 compared to the net loss of $646,492 in 2022.
• The net loss applicable to common shareholders was $3,245,690 in 2023, up from $2,512,943 in 2022, primarily due to the higher net loss and increased preferred stock dividends.
• Net sales revenue increased by 15.3% to $39,136,114 in 2023 from $33,934,081 in 2022, with direct sales rising by 30.4% and distributor sales increasing by 2.3%.
• Direct sales accounted for 52.4% of total revenue in 2023, compared to 46.4% in 2022, indicating a shift towards direct-to-consumer channels.
• The company sold 191,619 cases of wine in 2023, a 2.3% increase from 187,371 cases in 2022, with Pinot Noir representing approximately 54% of total case sales.
• Cost of sales increased by 9.6% to $16,578,986 in 2023, while selling, general, and administrative expenses rose by 22.7% to $23,764,330.
• The gross profit margin improved to 57.6% in 2023 from 55.4% in 2022, primarily due to higher direct sales prices and a greater proportion of direct-to-consumer sales.
• EBITDA increased by 22.1% to $2,334,602 in 2023 from $1,912,012 in 2022, mainly due to increased depreciation costs.
• The company had a cash balance of $238,482 at the end of 2023, and an outstanding line of credit balance of $2,684,982.
• The company grew approximately 42% of its grapes in 2023, purchasing the remaining 58% from other growers.

Score: 4

Explanation: The document presents mixed results. While revenue increased and gross margins improved, the widening net loss and increased operating expenses are concerning. The company's debt and cash position also raise some concerns, leading to a slightly negative sentiment.

• The company experienced a significant increase in direct-to-consumer sales, which have higher profit margins.
• The gross profit margin improved, indicating better pricing strategies and sales mix.
• The company increased its wine club memberships, which provides a stable customer base.
• The company has a strong brand recognition, with its wines receiving positive reviews and awards.
• The company has a significant amount of land suitable for future vineyard development.

• The company's net loss widened in 2023, despite increased revenue.
• Operating expenses increased significantly, offsetting the gains in gross profit.
• The company was out of compliance with a debt covenant at the end of 2023, requiring a waiver from its lender.
• The company's cash balance decreased significantly year-over-year.
• The company's loss per common share after preferred dividends increased to $0.65 in 2023 from $0.51 in 2022.

• Agricultural risks, such as diseases, pests, and weather conditions, could negatively impact grape supply and wine production.
• The company is susceptible to changing weather patterns and environmental factors, including wildfires and smoke damage.
• The company's success depends on key employees, and their loss could harm the business.
• The company's ability to operate requires adequate funding, and there is no assurance that it will be able to comply with all conditions under its credit facilities.
• The wine industry is highly competitive, and the company faces competition from larger wineries with greater resources.
• The company's common stock is thinly traded, making it less liquid than other investments.
• The company may face liabilities associated with the offer and sale of its preferred stock.
• The company may be unable to pay accumulated dividends on its preferred stock.
• Failures or security breaches of the company's information technology systems could disrupt operations.
• Increased regulation and/or taxation could adversely affect the company.

The company believes that cash flow from operations and funds available under its existing credit facilities and preferred stock program will be sufficient to meet the company's foreseeable short and long-term operating needs. The company also plans to address long-term grape supply needs by developing new vineyards on properties currently owned or secured by lease.

• Management believes that the grapes grown on the Company's vineyards establish a foundation of quality through the Company's farming practices, upon which the quality of the Company's wines is built.
• Management continues to invest in new production technologies intended to increase the efficiency and quality of wine production.
• Management intends to fully utilize the production capacity at the Estate Winery before expanding into the Tualatin Winery.

The U.S. wine industry has seen a rapid increase in wineries, but growth has recently slowed, with premium wineries facing a challenging landscape in 2023. Consumer demand for wine is declining, with younger consumers seeking more than just cost, including health, sustainability, and social values. The Oregon wine industry is growing, particularly in the Willamette Valley, which is known for producing high-quality Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Riesling.

• The document notes that the US wine industry added 400 new wineries in 2022, a 3% increase from 2021, and that the number of US active wineries in 2023 stood at 11,620, showing a 1% decrease compared to the peak in 2022.
• The total retail value of wine sales has increased from $26.3 billion in 2000 to $78.4 billion in 2021, according to Statista.
• The document references a Silicon Valley Bank report that premium wineries faced a challenging landscape in 2023, with direct-to-consumer volume and value sales declining and tasting room visitation dropping.
• The Oregon wine industry saw an increase in the number of wineries from 1,058 to 1,116 in 2022, with the Willamette Valley adding 38.
• Oregon wine grapes produced a 2022 crop with a total value of $330 million, an increase of 22% from 2021.
• Oregon case sales in 2022 were 5.7 million, an 8% increase from 2021.

• Shareholders may be concerned about the widening net loss and the company's debt position.
• Employees may be affected by the company's financial performance and any potential cost-cutting measures.
• Customers may benefit from the company's focus on direct-to-consumer sales and the quality of its wines.
• Suppliers may be impacted by the company's grape purchasing strategies and financial stability.
• Creditors may be concerned about the company's debt covenant violation and cash position.

• The company plans to address long-term grape supply needs by developing new vineyards on properties currently owned or secured by lease.
• The company intends to seek out opportunities to acquire land for future grape plantings.
• Management intends to fully utilize the production capacity at the Estate Winery before expanding into the Tualatin Winery.

• The Company provides living accommodations in a residence on the Company's premises for the Company's chief executive officer (CEO).
• The Company engages James Ellis a Board member for consulting services.

• 1983: Willamette Valley Vineyards was originally established as a sole proprietorship by Jim Bernau.
• 1988-05: The Company was incorporated in May 1988.
• 1997: The Company purchased Tualatin Vineyards at the Tualatin Winery.
• 1999-12: The Company sold approximately 79 acres of the Tualatin Vineyards property and entered into a 20-year operating lease agreement.
• 2004-12: The Company sold approximately 75 acres of the Tualatin Vineyards property and entered into a 15-year operating lease agreement.
• 2005-12: The Company entered into a revolving line of credit agreement with Umpqua Bank.
• 2006-02: The Company instituted a 401(k) profit sharing plan.
• 2007-02: The Company entered into a lease agreement for 59 acres of vineyard land at Elton Vineyard.
• 2008-07: The Company entered into a 34-year lease agreement for approximately 110 acres in the Eola Hills.
• 2015-08: The Company commenced a public offering of its Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock.
• 2017-03: The Company entered into a 25-year lease for approximately 17 acres of agricultural land in Dundee, Oregon.
• 2018-01: The Company assumed a lease for its Maison Bleue tasting room in Walla Walla, Washington.
• 2018-09: The Company renewed an existing lease for its McMinnville tasting room.
• 2019-09: John Ferry became Chief Financial Officer of the Company.
• 2020-02: The Company entered into a lease for a retail wine facility in Folsom, California, called Willamette Wineworks.
• 2021-03: The Company entered into a lease for a retail wine facility in Vancouver, Washington.
• 2021-06-11: The Company filed with the SEC an additional Prospectus Supplement to the 2020 Form S-3.
• 2022-02: The Company entered into a lease for a retail wine facility in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
• 2022-05: The Company entered into a lease for a retail wine facility in Happy Valley, Oregon.
• 2022-07-01: The Company filed a new shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 with the SEC.
• 2022-09: The Company opened a new sparkling winery, the Domaine Willamette Winery.
• 2023-01: The Company entered into a new lease for its Maison Bleue tasting room in Walla Walla, Washington.
• 2023-01: The Company entered into a lease for a retail wine facility in Bend, Oregon.
• 2023-06-30: The Company filed with the SEC a Prospectus Supplement to the July 2022 Form S-3.
• 2023-07: The Company renewed its line of credit agreement with Umpqua Bank for an additional two years.
• 2023-10-27: The Company filed with the SEC a Prospectus Supplement to the July 2022 Form S-3.
• 2023-12-31: End of the fiscal year for which financial results are reported.
• 2024-03-26: Date of the filing of the Annual Report on Form 10-K.