Another response to the Archer editorial, this one from David Manley of West Wind Farm Vineyard and Winery:

Our production ranks us among Virginia's smaller wineries. This is by design. We make small batches of high quality Virginia wine. Economically, it would only make sense to sell through a distributor once our production reached approximately five times our current level. We don't want this to keep us from achieving broader exposure for our product in the local and regional marketplace.

We have been approached by several restaurants and specialty retailers seeking to carry our products. We'd love nothing more than for a nearby restaurant to offer local wine. Or for a fan of our wines in Blacksburg to be able to shop locally so that he or she doesn't have to drive to Fort Chiswell. If we had to sell through a distributor, our product would certainly cost significantly more once it reached a restaurant table or store shelf, resulting in harm to Virginia consumers.