It all goes back to Chuck Nunan’s Italian ancestors. They were the ones who taught him to make wine in his basement and making the entire house smell like fermented grapes. “I did it for 20 years,” he said.
It wasn’t anything more than a hobby for the man who had operated 190 ServPro franchises. Then, he and his wife, Chris, bought a farm. And while in Charleston for their son Chip’s wedding, they visited a winery. “Chris said to me, ‘We could do this,’” Nunan said. So, in 2010, they started putting together the foundation for Harvest Ridge Winery. In 2011, they planted the first grapes — Chardonnay, Malbec, Viognier and Merlot — and by 2013, their first vintage was ready to be bottled.
Business Briefing
Location: 447 Westville Road, Marydel, Del. 19964
Founded: 2010
Industry: Winery
Generations: 3
Website: www.harvestridgewinery.com
Facebook: Harvest Ridge Winery
Twitter: @HarvRidgeWinery
Nunan reports the farm has 19 acres of arable land, with plans for four more. About 75 percent of the grapes used for Harvest Ridge’s wine are estate grown, with the other 25 coming from area farms. Production has grown from 1,700 cases in 2013 to 6,800 last year, and hard cider has been added to the line. Guests have the opportunity to tour the facility, sample the products, and of course, buy what they like.
Harvest Ridge supports children in need and veterans who have served, according to Nunan, and he absolutely loves what he does.
“I’m at a point in my life where it’s more fun to give than to get,” he said.
That’s an attitude that has taken him out of the basement and into the community.
