willamette_10q-15117.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
___________________________________________________________

FORM 10-Q
___________________________________________________________

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012

o TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

Commission File Number 000-21522

WILLAMETTE VALLEY VINEYARDS, INC.

 (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
 
 
 Oregon    93-0981021
 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)      (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
8800 Enchanted Way, S.E., Turner, Oregon                      97392 

(Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip Code)
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:    (503) 588-9463

 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days:   x YES        o NO

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files):  x YES        o NO


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
 
 o Large accelerated filer     o  Accelerated filer
         
 o  Non-accelerated filer    x  Smaller reporting company
 
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):      o YES        x NO

Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of May 15, 2012:  4,884,255 shares


 
1

 

WILLAMETTE VALLEY VINEYARDS, INC.
 INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
 
   Page #
Part I - Financial Information  3
   
Item 1 - Financial Statements  3
   
Balance Sheets  3
 
 
Statements of Operations  4
   
Statements of Cash Flows  5
   
Notes to Unaudited Interim Financial Statements  6
   
Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations  10
   
Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk  15
   
Item 4 - Controls and Procedures  15
   
Part II - Other Information  16
   
Item 1 - Legal Proceedings  16
   
Item 1A – Risk Factors  16
   
Item 2 - Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds  16
   
Item 3 - Defaults Upon Senior Securities  16
   
Item 4 – (Removed and Reserved)  16
   
Item 5 – Exhibits  17
   
Signatures  18
   






 
2

 

PART I     FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.      Financial Statements
WILLAMETTE VALLEY VINEYARDS, INC.
 BALANCE SHEETS
 
ASSETS
             
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(audited)
 
             
CURRENT ASSETS
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 3,777,420     $ 3,411,292  
Accounts receivable, net
    1,235,770       1,058,312  
Inventories (Note 3)
    9,068,217       9,619,145  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    169,355       138,382  
Current portion of note receivable
    51,285       61,492  
Current portion of distribution agreement receivable
    250,000       250,000  
Income tax receivable
    115,301       229,337  
Total current assets
    14,667,348       14,767,960  
                 
                 
Vineyard development costs, net
    1,624,628       1,643,546  
Property and equipment, net (Note 4)
    7,373,595       7,300,737  
Debt issuance costs
    49,906       50,752  
Distribution agreement receivable, net of current portion
    500,000       500,000  
Note receivable
    -       19,276  
Other  assets
    -       4,456  
                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 24,215,477     $ 24,286,727  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
               
Current portion of long-term debt
    200,978       197,936  
Accounts payable
    588,547       301,168  
Accrued expenses
    400,589       438,983  
Deferred income taxes
    351,000       351,000  
Current portion of deferred revenue-distribution agreement
    142,857       142,857  
Grapes payable
    -       389,233  
Total current liabilities
    1,683,971       1,821,177  
                 
Long-term debt, net of current portion
    3,959,367       4,010,654  
Deferred rent liability
    206,308       208,047  
Deferred revenue-distribution agreement, net of current portion
    773,808       809,523  
Deferred gain
    241,622       249,646  
Deferred income taxes
    754,000       754,000  
Total liabilities
    7,619,076       7,853,047  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
               
                 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Common stock, no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized,
               
4,884,255 and 4,892,977 issued and outstanding at
               
March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011
    8,638,048       8,632,746  
Retained earnings
    7,987,299       7,800,934  
Less: Common stock held in treasury, at cost, 8,722 and 0, respectively
               
March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011
    (28,946 )     -  
Total shareholders’ equity
    16,596,401       16,433,680  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’
               
EQUITY
  $ 24,215,477     $ 24,286,727  


The accompanying notes are an integral part of this financial statement

 
3

 
 
WILLAMETTE VALLEY VINEYARDS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    Three months ended  
   
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
             
SALES
  $ 3,204,711     $ 3,625,693  
COST OF SALES
    1,601,783       1,886,408  
                 
GROSS PROFIT
    1,602,928       1,739,285  
                 
SELLING GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
    1,303,872       1,646,551  
                 
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
    299,056       92,734  
                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
               
Interest income
    2,991       2,600  
Interest expense
    (39,120 )     (49,177 )
Other income, net
    37,474       1,113  
                 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    300,401       47,270  
                 
INCOME TAX PROVISION
    114,036       18,908  
                 
NET INCOME
  $ 186,365     $ 28,362  
                 
                 
BASIC NET INCOME  PER COMMON SHARE
  $ 0.04     $ 0.01  
                 
DILUTED NET INCOME  PER COMMON SHARE
  $ 0.04     $ 0.01  
                 
                 
Weighted average number of
    4,887,487       4,892,977  
basic common shares outstanding
               
                 
Weighted average number of
    4,891,725       4,898,236  
diluted common shares outstanding
               



The accompanying notes are an integral part of this financial statement




 
4

 
 
WILLAMETTE VALLEY VINEYARDS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
Three months ended March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
             
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
           
Net income
  $ 186,365     $ 28,362  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash:
               
from operating activities
               
Depreciation and amortization
    193,325       186,483  
Stock based compensation expense
    5,302       -  
Deferred rent liability
    (1,739 )     (1,739 )
Deferred revenue-distribution agreement
    (35,715 )     -  
Deferred gain
    (8,024 )     (8,023 )
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    (177,458 )     264,563  
Inventories
    550,928       231,565  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (30,973 )     (83,806 )
Income taxes receivable
    114,036       18,908  
Other assets
    4,456       -  
Grapes payable
    (389,233 )     (273,211 )
Accounts payable
    287,379       (32,421 )
Accrued expenses
    (38,394 )     (193,544 )
Net cash from operating activities
    660,255       137,137  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
Additions to property and equipment
    (248,178 )     (108,099 )
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
    1,759       -  
Payments received on note receivable
    29,483       28,607  
Net cash from investing activities
    (216,936 )     (79,492 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
Payments on long-term debt
    (48,245 )     (111,793 )
Repurchase of common stock
    (28,946 )     -  
Net cash from financing activities
    (77,191 )     (111,793 )
                 
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    366,128       (54,148 )
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period
    3,411,292       1,518,864  
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of quarter
  $ 3,777,420     $ 1,464,716  



The accompanying notes are an integral part of this financial statement


 
 
 
 



 
5

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The financial information as of December 31, 2011 is derived from the audited financial statements presented in the Willamette Valley Vineyards, Inc. (the “Company”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. Certain information or footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements include all adjustments necessary (which are of a normal recurring nature) for the fair statement of the results of the interim periods presented. The accompanying financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011, as presented in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year ending December 31, 2012, or any portion thereof.

The Company consists of the retail, in-state self-distribution and out-of-state sales departments.  These departments have mostly similar economic characteristics, offer comparable products to customers and utilize similar processes for production and distribution. The in-state self-distribution business known as Bacchus Fine Wines is no longer selling produced wine but is continuing to sell purchased wine and glassware as of March 31, 2012. On September 1, 2011 the Company entered into a seven year contract with  Young’s Market of Oregon, LLC to distribute produced wine in-state.  The Company reports limited financial information for two operating segments as follows: Bacchus Distribution and Produced Wines.

Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding each period. Diluted earnings per share are computed using the weighted average number of shares of common stock and potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the year.  Potentially dilutive shares from stock options and other potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation when their effect is anti-dilutive. 4,238 and 5,259 potentially dilutive shares are included in the computation of dilutive earnings per share for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

2) STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

The Company has two stock option plans, the 1992 Stock Incentive Plan (“1992 Plan”) and 2001 Stock Option Plan (“2001 Plan”).  No additional grants may be made under the 1992 Plan.  The 2001 Plan, which was approved by the shareholders, permits the grant of stock options and restricted stock awards for up to 900,000 shares.  All stock options have an exercise price that is equal to the fair market value of the Company’s stock on the date the options were granted.  Administration of the plan, including determination of the number, term, and type of options to be granted, lies with the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors.  Options are generally granted based on employee performance with vesting periods ranging from date of grant to seven years.  The maximum term before expiration for all grants is ten years.

 
6

 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
2) STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - continued
 
The following table presents information related to the value of outstanding stock options for the periods shown:
 
   
Three months ended
 
   
March 31, 2012
 
             
         
Weighted Average Exercise
 
   
Shares
   
Price
 
             
Outstanding at beginning of period
    356,200     $ 3.71  
Granted
    -       -  
Exercised
    -       -  
Forfeited
    -       -  
                 
Outstanding at end of period
    356,200     $ 3.71  
 
In accordance with the current accounting guidance for share-based payments, the Company recognizes compensation expense for options awarded under its stock incentive plans. Current accounting guidance requires the grant-date fair value of all share-based payment awards, including employee stock options, to be recognized as employee compensation expense over the requisite service period. The fair value of each stock option granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes stock option valuation model.

The Company expenses stock options on a straight-line basis over the options’ related vesting term.  For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company recognized pretax compensation expense related to stock options of $5,302, in comparison to pretax compensation expense related to stock options of $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2011.
 
 During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011, there were no transactions related to stock options exercise activity.

3) INVENTORIES

The Company’s inventories, by major classification, are summarized as follows, as of the dates shown:
 
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(audited)
 
             
Winemaking and packaging materials
  $ 478,038     $ 248,350  
Work-in-progress (costs relating to unprocessed and/or
    3,579,101       3,535,028  
unbottled wine products)
               
Finished goods (bottled wine and related products)
    5,039,628       5,889,816  
Obsolescence reserve
    (28,550 )     (54,049 )
                 
Current inventories
  $ 9,068,217     $ 9,619,145  

 
7

 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
4) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

The Company’s property and equipment consists of the following, as of the dates shown:
 
   
March 31
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(audited)
 
             
Construction in progress
  $ 500,909     $ 333,162  
Land and improvements
    2,610,374       2,610,374  
Winery building and hospitality center
    6,736,219       6,727,419  
Equipment
    6,417,307       6,347,435  
                 
    $ 16,264,809     $ 16,018,390  
                 
Less accumulated depreciation
    (8,891,214 )     (8,717,653 )
                 
    $ 7,373,595     $ 7,300,737  
 
5)  LONG TERM DEBT

The Company has three long term debt agreements with Farm Credit Services with an aggregate outstanding balance of $4,146,618 and $4,193,917 as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. These loans require monthly payments of $37,502 principal and interest for the life of the loans, at an annual interest rate ranging from 5.9% to 6.7%. The general purposes of these loans are to make capital improvements to the winery and vineyard facilities. The Company  has a long term debt agreement with Kubota with a balance of $13,727 and $ 14,673 as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. This loan requires a monthly payment of $473 principal only for the life of the loan, at an annual interest rate of 0.0%.

6)  INTEREST AND TAXES PAID

The Company paid $83,132 and $ 110,042 in payroll tax for the three month periods ending March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, a decrease of $26,910, or 24.4%. The decrease was due to the reduction in staffing of Bacchus Distribution employee head count as well as G&A employee headcount.  The Company paid $39,120 and $ 49,177 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011 respectively in interest on the long-term debt and revolving credit line, a decrease of $10,057, or 20.4%.

7) SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company has identified two operating segments, Produced Wine and Bacchus Distribution. Bacchus Distribution (dba Bacchus Fine Wines), is the Company’s in-state distribution department. Bacchus distributes purchased wine and Riedel glassware at wholesale prices to in-state customers. Purchased wines and Riedel glassware are brands purchased from other wine distributors and wineries for sale to in-state customers.

The two segments reflect how the Company’s operations are evaluated by senior management and the structure of its internal financial reporting.  The Company evaluates performance based on the gross profit of the respective business segment.  Sales, general and administrative expenses are not allocated between operating segments, therefore net income information for the respective segments is not available.  Discrete financial information related to segment assets, other than inventory, is not available and that information continues to be aggregated.

 
8

 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
7) SEGMENT REPORTING - continued
 
The following tables outline the sales, cost of sales and gross profit, for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 by operating segment:
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
 
   
Bacchus
   
Produced
       
   
Distribution
   
Wine
   
Total
 
                   
Net sales
  $ 482,107     $ 2,722,604     $ 3,204,711  
Cost of sales
    492,541       1,109,242       1,601,783  
Gross (loss) profit
    (10,434 )     1,613,362       1,602,928  
Gross (loss) profit margin
    -2.2 %     59.3 %     50.0 %
                         
   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
 
   
Bacchus
   
Produced
         
   
Distribution
   
Wine
   
Total
 
                         
Net sales
  $ 888,539     $ 2,737,154     $ 3,625,693  
Cost of sales
    621,145       1,265,263       1,886,408  
Gross profit
    267,394       1,471,891       1,739,285  
Gross profit margin
    30.1 %     53.8 %     48.0 %
 
Total inventory for Bacchus Fine Wines of purchased wine was $152,660 and $1,400,009 at March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, a reduction of $1,247,349 or 89.1%. Total inventory for Bacchus Fine Wines of non-wine merchandise was $138,797 and $419,694 at March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, a reduction of $280,897 or 66.9%. Total inventory of produced wine inventory was $4,544,050 and $5,566,550 at March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, a reduction of $1,022,500 or 18.4%. Total inventory of non-wine merchandise and work-in-process was $4,232,710 and $3,094,200 at March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, an increase of $1,138,510 or 36.8%.
 
The Company’s Oregon distribution arm of Bacchus Distribution is in the process of winding down with the eventual elimination of Bacchus Distribution as a means of distribution of wine in the Oregon market. The decision was made by Management and the Board of Directors to utilize Young’s Market Company of Oregon, LLC, an Oregon limited liability company and Young’s Market Company of Washington, LLC an Oregon limited liability company to distribute the produced wine in the market due to the increasingly higher regulatory and overhead costs of maintaining Bacchus as an operating unit. This decision will increase the Company’s gross margin as the Company will no longer sell the low margin purchased wine products as well as reduce the Company’s operating expenditure by reducing staffing and logistic costs associated with the operation of Bacchus Distribution.

8) MANAGEMENT PLAN TO REPURCHASE STOCK

On November 2, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $200,000 of its common stock. Common stock will be purchased from time to time, in the open market or through private transactions, subject to market conditions. As of March 31, 2012, the Company had repurchased 8,722 shares for a total of $28,946. No shares had been repurchased as of December 31, 2011.
 
 
 
 

 
9

 
 
Item 2

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward Looking Statements

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections of this Form 10-Q contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company’s business, and beliefs and assumptions made by management.  Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.
 
Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to:  availability of financing for growth, availability of adequate supply of high quality grapes, successful performance of internal operations, impact of competition, changes in wine broker or distributor relations or performance, impact of possible adverse weather conditions, impact of reduction in grape quality or supply due to disease, impact of governmental regulatory decisions, and other risks disclosed from time to time in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports.  In addition, such statements could be affected by general industry and market conditions and growth rates, and general domestic economic conditions.  The forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and, except as otherwise required by law, the Company disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why the actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Critical Accounting Policies

The foregoing discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted  the United States of America.  The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company’s management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, collection of accounts receivable, valuation of inventories, and amortization of vineyard development costs.  The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.  A description of the Company’s critical accounting policies and related judgments and estimates that affect the preparation of the Company’s financial statements is set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.  Such policies were unchanged during the three months ended March 31, 2012.

Overview

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 increased $158,003 or 557.1%, from the comparable prior year period. Sales of produced wine for the three months ended March 31, 2012 through the Company’s distribution network decreased $191,357 or 8.3% from the corresponding prior year period. With the implementation of utilizing Young’s Market Company of Oregon, LLC  as the Company’s Oregon distributor in Q3 of 2011, a significant portion of the reduction in sales in the current quarter was due to the lower unit sales price to Young’s Market Company of Oregon, LLC versus selling directly to the stores and restaurants.  Sales of purchased wine for the three months ended March 31, 2012 through the Company’s in-state wholesale department, Bacchus Fine Wines, decreased by $319,760 or 40.2% from the corresponding prior year period. This decrease is the result of the winding down of the Bacchus distribution arm of the Company. The focus of Bacchus Fine Wines is currently to complete the sale of purchased wine still held in inventory.  Sales for the three months ended March 31, 2012 through the Company’s direct sales department increased $ 35,676 or 5.8% from the corresponding prior year. The increase in net income was attributed to a combination of better overall gross margin percentage and the reduction of sales, general and administrative expenses for the company. Overall gross profit decreased $136,357 or 7.8% but gross margin percent increased 2.0%. Sales, general and administrative expenses decreased $342,679 or 20.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from the corresponding prior year period.

The Company sold approximately 26,694 cases during the three months ended March 31, 2012, a decrease of 4,871 cases or 15.4% from the corresponding prior year period. Of these cases sold, approximately 21,618 cases were produced brands, a decrease of 1,917 cases or 8.1% from the corresponding prior period and another 5,076 cases were purchased brands, a decrease of 2,954 cases or 36.7% from the corresponding prior period. The decrease in purchased case sales was a result of the continuing wind down of Bacchus Fine Wines distribution. The decrease in produced brands was the result of two factors. The first is the shift from self-distribution to the utilization of a distribution company in Oregon which resulted in a large stock up in Q4 of 2011 and now reflects a leveling off of stock levels. The second factor is a leveling off of chain store purchases that were new in 2011 and have now leveled off back to average purchase levels from the prior year.

 
10

 

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - continued
 
Distributed sales of wine purchased from other wineries are declining and are expected to continue to decline as the winery is discontinuing its wholesale operations called Bacchus Fine Wines by the end of Q2. Management has determined that the winery, as a small public company, can no longer afford the public reporting compliance costs of distributing wines. The winery’s own wines are now distributed by Young’s Market of Oregon, LLC and Young’s Market of Washington, LLC.

As a result of the increase in net income, the Company generated $0.04 in basic earnings per share during the three months ended March 31, 2012, an increase of $0.03, or 300%, on $0.01 in basic earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

The winery bottled approximately 13,190 cases in the first quarter of 2012.

The Company has an asset-based loan agreement (the “line of credit”) with Umpqua Bank that allows it to borrow up to $2,000,000.  The maturity date on this loan agreement is June 2012.  The index rate at March 31, 2012 is 3.25%. The loan agreement contains certain restrictive financial covenants with respect to total equity, debt-to-equity and debt coverage that must be maintained by the Company on a quarterly basis. As of March 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all of the financial covenants.

At March 31, 2012, the Company had no amount outstanding on the line of credit. At March 31, 2012, the availability on the line of credit was $2,000,000.

At December 31, 2011, the Company had no amount outstanding on the line of credit. At December 31, 2011, the availability on the line of credit was $2,000,000.

Willamette Valley Vineyards continues to receive positive recognition through regional wine competitions and national publications.

NBC’s new hit show “Grimm” chose to feature our 2009 Pinot Noir in select scenes on a recent episode, further strengthening brand awareness.

In January, our 2009 Pinot Noir and 2009 Pinot Gris received a Gold Medal at the United Way Miami Wine & Food Festival.

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition judged our 2010 Pinot Gris in January, awarding it a Gold Medal.

Up against over 350 outstanding Pinots, our 2008 O’Brien Pinot Noir was awarded a gold medal in February 2012 at the 10th annual Pinot Noir Shootout in California.

Our South Block Pinot Noir was awarded a Gold Medal at Oregon’s Newport Seafood & Wine Festival in February.

The OSU Austin Entrepreneurship Program held their 2012 Weatherford Awards in February, recognizing Jim Bernau and 3 other individuals who have “furthered Oregon’s pioneering and innovative spirit.”

Winemaker, Don Crank was featured in an article in Wines & Vines February issue about wineries adopting conservation methods to save on electricity.

In February, Editor at Large, Harvey Steiman of Wine Spectator magazine gave our 2009 Signature Cuvée Pinot Noir 90pts and our 2010 Riesling 89pts/Top Value.

In their Spring issue, Santé Magazine, for restaurant professionals, recommended and awarded “Gold Stars” to the following wines; 2009 Elton Pinot Noir, 2009 Signature Cuvée Pinot Noir, 2009 Tualatin Estate Pinot Noir, and 2010 Whole Cluster Pinot Noir.

The March 2012 issue of Wine Enthusiast magazine recognized several of our wines with 90+ point scores; 2010 Riesling, 90pts/Best Buy; 2009 Elton Pinot Noir, 91pts/Cellar Selection; 2009 Tualatin Estate Pinot Noir, 90pts.

 
11

 

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - continued
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Revenue

Net sales to out-of-state distributors during the three months ended March 31, 2012 through the Company’s national sales department increased $50,464 or 3.1% from the corresponding prior year period, the Company’s direct sales department increased by $23,030 or 3.6% from the corresponding prior year period and the Company’s in-state wholesale department, Bacchus Fine Wines, decreased by $572,973 or 39.1% from the corresponding prior year period. The Bacchus Fine Wines decrease is the result of winding down the in-state distribution arm of the Company. Produced wine is being distributed through an Oregon distribution company and Bacchus Fine Wines is focused on selling the remaining inventory of purchased wine. The net sales to out-of-state distributors increased in dollars although the number of cases sold decreased when compared to the same time period last year. This increase in sales is due to an increase in the average net sales price per case of approximately $10, reflective of a different product mix as well as a price increase that took effect after Q1 of 2011.

The Company sold approximately 26,694 cases during the three months ended March 31, 2012.  Of these cases sold, approximately 21,618 cases were produced brands and another 5,076 cases were purchased brands.

The Company’s revenues from winery operations are summarized as follows:
 
    Three months ended  
   
March 31
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
             
Retail sales, rental income and events
  $ 670,959     $ 647,929  
In-state sales
    891,146       1,464,119  
Out-of-state sales
    1,658,335       1,607,871  
                 
Total revenue
    3,220,440       3,719,919  
                 
Less excise taxes
    (15,729 )     (94,226 )
                 
Net revenue
  $ 3,204,711     $ 3,625,693  
 
Cost of Goods Sold

The Company’s cost of goods on produced wines is lower compared to the prior year resulting in an increase in gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The cost of goods of produced wine changes by vintage depending on the vineyard yields as well as actual costs associated with the growing and harvesting of the grapes as well as cellar production costs. Although yields have been lower in the past  year, the costs associated with the vintage on a per unit basis have been lower.

Gross Profit

Gross profit showed a decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2012 of $136,357 or 7.8% from the corresponding prior year period. This decrease is the result of lower sales volume for the comparative periods mostly due to the wind down of the Bacchus Fine Wines distribution arm of the Company.

Gross profit margin from winery operations was 50.0% in the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to 48.0% in the corresponding prior year period. The increase in gross profit margin for the three months ended March 31, 2012 is mainly due to the decrease in the cost of the Company’s produced brands across the Company’s product lines.

 
12

 

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - continued
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expense

Selling, general and administrative expense decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2012 by $342,679 or 20.8% compared to the corresponding prior year period. This decrease is due primarily to a reduction in salaries expense as a result of streamlining the Company’s overhead operations as well as a decrease in professional service fees for accounting and legal services. In total, as a percentage of net revenues from winery operations, selling, general and administrative expenses were 40.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to 45.4% for the corresponding prior year period.

Interest Income, Interest Expense

Interest income was $2,991 and $2,600 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, an increase of $391 or 15.0%. Interest expense was $ 39,120 and $49,177 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, a decrease of $10,057 or 20.4%.

Income Taxes

The income tax expense was $114,036 and $18,908 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, an increase of $ 95,128 or 503.1%.  The Company’s estimated tax rate was 38.0% and 40.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
 
Net Income and Earnings per Share

The increase in gross margin in addition to a reduction in selling and administrative costs produced a net income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 of $186,365, an increase of $158,003 or 557.1% compared to the corresponding prior year period. As a result, the Company generated $0.04 basic earnings per share during the three months ended March 31, 2012, an increase of $0.03 basic earnings per share versus the corresponding prior year period.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At March 31, 2012, the Company had a working capital balance of $13.0 million and a current working capital ratio of 8.71:1. At December 31, 2011, the Company had a working capital balance of $12.9 million and a current working capital ratio of 8.11:1.  The Company had a cash balance of $3,777,420 at March 31, 2012, compared to a cash balance of $3,411,292 at December 31, 2011.

Total cash provided by operating activities in the three months ended March 31, 2012 was $660,255 compared to cash provided by operating activities of $137,137 for the same period in the prior year.

Total cash used in investing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2012 was $216,936, compared to $79,492 used in the comparable prior year period.  The increase was due to an increase in the current period of capital expenditures for property and equipment costs versus the prior year.

Total cash used in financing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2012 was $77,191 compared to $111,793 used in financing activities in the comparable prior year period. Cash used in financing activities in the current year primarily consists of payments on long term debt as well as repurchase of common stock.

The Company has an asset-based loan agreement (the “line of credit”) with Umpqua Bank that allows it to borrow up to $2,000,000. The maturity date on this loan agreement is June 2012. The index rate at March 31, 2012 is 3.25%. The loan agreement contains certain restrictive financial covenants with respect to total equity, debt-to-equity and debt coverage that must be maintained by the Company on a quarterly basis. As of March 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all of the financial covenants.

At March 31, 2012, the Company had no amount outstanding on the line of credit. At March 31, 2012, the availability on the line of credit was $2,000,000.

At December 31, 2011, the Company had no amount outstanding on the line of credit. At December 31, 2011, the availability on the line of credit was $2,000,000.

 
13

 

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - continued
 
As of March 31, 2012, the Company had a total long-term debt balance of $4,160,345, including the portion due in the next year, owed to Farm Credit Services and Kubota. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had a total long-term debt balance of $4,208,590.

At March 31, 2012, the Company owed $0 on grape contracts. For the 2012 harvest, there are grape purchase contracts in place with local growers that will be accrued when the grapes are received, typically in October.

The Company believes that cash flow from operations and funds available under the Company’s existing credit facilities will be sufficient to meet the Company’s foreseeable short and long-term needs.

Segment Reporting

The Company has identified two operating segments, Produced Wine and Bacchus Distribution. Bacchus Distribution (dba Bacchus Fine Wines), is the Company’s in-state distribution department. Bacchus Fine Wines distributes purchased wine and Riedel glassware at wholesale prices to in-state customers. Produced wine represents all Willamette Valley Vineyard branded wine which is produced at the winery. Purchased wines and Riedel glassware are brands purchased from other wine distributors and wineries for sale to in-state customers.

The two segments reflect how the Company’s operations are evaluated by senior management and the structure of its internal financial reporting.  The Company evaluates performance based on the gross profit of the respective business segment.  Sales, general and administrative expenses are not allocated between operating segments, therefore net income information for the respective segments is not available.  Discrete financial information related to segment assets, other than inventory, is not available and that information continues to be aggregated.

The following tables outline the sales, cost of sales and gross (loss) profit, for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011 by operating segment:
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
 
   
Bacchus
   
Produced
       
   
Distribution
   
Wine
   
Total
 
                   
Net sales
  $ 482,107     $ 2,722,604     $ 3,204,711  
Cost of sales
    492,541       1,109,242       1,601,783  
Gross (loss) profit
    (10,434 )     1,613,362       1,602,928  
Gross (loss) profit margin
    -2.2 %     59.3 %     50.0 %
                         
   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
 
   
Bacchus
   
Produced
         
   
Distribution
   
Wine
   
Total
 
                         
Net sales
  $ 888,539     $ 2,737,154     $ 3,625,693  
Cost of sales
    621,145       1,265,263       1,886,408  
Gross profit
    267,394       1,471,891       1,739,285  
Gross profit margin
    30.1 %     53.8 %     48.0 %
 
Total inventory for Bacchus Fine Wines of purchased wine was $152,660 and $1,400,009 at March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, a reduction of $1,247,349 or 89.1%. Total inventory for Bacchus Fine Wines of non-wine merchandise was $138,797 and $419,694 at March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, a reduction of $280,897 or 66.9%. Total inventory of produced wine inventory was $4,544,050 and $5,566,550 at March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, a reduction of $1,022,500 or 18.4%. Total inventory of non-wine merchandise and work-in-process was $4,232,710 and $3,094,200 at March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, an increase of $1,138,510 or 36.8%.

The winery bottled approximately 13,190 cases in the first quarter of 2012.


 
14

 

Item 3

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

None.

Item 4

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures – The Company carried out an evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 13a-15 and 15d-5 under the Exchange Act. Based on that review, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports the Company files or submit under the Exchange Act (1) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and (2) is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principle financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
The Company does not expect that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all error and all fraud. A control procedure, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control procedure are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control procedures, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The Company considered these limitations during the development of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, and will continually reevaluate them to ensure they provide reasonable assurance that such controls and procedures are effective.

Management’s report on internal control over financial reportingThe Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Company’s financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act and includes those policies and procedures that: (a) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the Company’s assets; (b) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that the Company’s receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Company’s management and directors; and (c) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements. All internal controls, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2012. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control –Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment, management has concluded that, as of March 31, 2012, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.




 
15

 

PART II.               OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.     Legal Proceedings.

From time to time, the Company is a party to various judicial and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business.  The Company’s management and legal counsel have reviewed the probable outcome of any proceedings that were pending during the period covered by this report, the costs and expenses reasonably expected to be incurred, the availability and limits of the Company’s insurance coverage, and the Company’s established liabilities.  While the outcome of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, based on the Company’s review, the Company believes that any unrecorded liability that may result as a result of any legal proceedings is not likely to have a material effect on the Company’s liquidity, financial condition or results from operations.

Item 1A.    Risk Factors

As a smaller reporting company, the Company is not required to provide the information required by this item.

Item 2.     Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
 
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Period
(a)
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased
(b)
Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)
(c)
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
(d)
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
Month #1
(January 1, 2012 through January 31, 2012)
2,700
$3.36
2,700
$190,935
Month #2
(February 1, 2012 through February 29, 2012)
4,873
$3.31
4,873
$174,823
Month #3
(March 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012)
349
$3.29
349
$173,668
Total
7,922
$3.22
7,922
$173,668
 
As disclosed in the form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, filed March 27, 2012, the Board of Directors has authorized the expenditure of $200,000 to be used in the buyback program that will run through April 1, 2012.
 
Item 3.     Defaults upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

 
 
 
16

 
 
Item 5.     Exhibits                
 
 Exhibit No.  Description
 3.1  Articles of Incorporation of Willamette Valley Vineyards, Inc. (incorporated by reference from the Company's Regulation A Offering Statement on Form 1-A, File No. 24S-2996)
   
 3.2  Articles of Amendment, dated August 22, 2000 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008, filed August 14, 2008, File No. 000-21522)
   
 3.3  Bylaws of Willamette Valley Vineyards, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008, filed August 14, 2008 File No. 000-21522)
   
 31.1  Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Filed herewith)
   
 32.1  Certification of James W. Bernau pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith)
   
 101  The following financial information from the Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, furnished electronically herewith, and formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Balance Sheets, (ii) Statements of Operations; (iii) Statements of Cash Flows; and (iv) Notes to Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text. (Filed herewith).
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
17

 

SIGNATURES

 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Security Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                 
  WILLAMETTE VALLEY VINEYARDS, INC.  
       
Date: May 15, 2012 
By:
/s/ James W. Bernau  
    James W. Bernau  
    Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer
 (Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
       

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 18