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WILLAMETTE VALLEY VINEYARDS INC - Quarter Report: 2016 March (Form 10-Q)

wvvi_10q-16863.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, 2016

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 12, 2016: 5,006,714
Number of shares of preferred stock outstanding as of May 12, 2016: 2,000,014

 
1

 

WILLAMETTE VALLEY VINEYARDS, INC.
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 
 

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
11
   
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
17
   
Item 3 - Defaults Upon Senior Securities
17
   
Item 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures
17
   
Item 5 – Other Information
17
   
Item 6 – Exhibits
17
   
Signatures
18




 
2

 

PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1 – Financial Statements
                                                                                                                                          WILLAMETTE VALLEY VINEYARDS, INC.
 BALANCE SHEETS
 
ASSETS
 
             
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(audited)
 
             
CURRENT ASSETS
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 4,590,124     $ 4,010,664  
Restricted cash (Note 1)
    456,326       1,476,232  
Accounts receivable, net
    1,323,704       1,684,502  
Inventories (Note 2)
    10,507,796       10,632,462  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    301,749       131,173  
Income tax receivable
    305,555       204,513  
Total current assets
    17,485,254       18,139,546  
                 
Investment in Kore Wine Company
    59,186       60,000  
Vineyard development costs, net
    3,888,824       3,699,947  
Property and equipment, net (Note 3)
    16,573,119       16,729,162  
Debt issuance costs, net
    49,126       50,221  
                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 38,055,509     $ 38,678,876  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
                 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
               
Accounts payable
  $ 203,032     $ 386,137  
Accrued expenses
    477,648       604,580  
Investor deposits for preferred stock (Note1)
    456,326       1,476,232  
Current portion of note payable
    -       245,417  
Current portion of long term debt
    354,126       349,003  
Current portion of deferred revenue-distribution agreement
    142,857       142,857  
Unearned revenue
    45,024       73,200  
Grapes payable
    -       816,879  
Total current liabilities
    1,679,013       4,094,305  
                 
                 
Note payable, net of current portion
    245,417       245,417  
Long-term debt, net of current portion
    4,733,219       4,824,015  
Deferred rent liability
    133,959       140,756  
Deferred revenue-distribution agreement, net of current portion
    202,368       238,083  
Deferred gain
    113,243       121,267  
Deferred income taxes
    1,848,000       1,848,000  
Total liabilities
    8,955,219       11,511,843  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
               
                 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Redeemable preferred stock, no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized,
         
1,434,448 shares, liquidation preference $6,031,854, issued and
         
outstanding at March 31, 2016 and 1,074,338 shares, liquidation
         
preference $4,458,710, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015,
         
respectively.
    5,260,474       3,735,437  
Common stock, no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 5,176,020 and
         
5,139,177 shares issued at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015,
         
respectively, 5,008,885 and 4,989,216 shares outstanding at
               
March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
    9,794,271       9,674,362  
Retained earnings
    14,841,831       14,432,836  
Less: Common stock held in treasury, at cost, 167,135 and 149,961 shares
         
at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively
    (796,286 )     (675,602 )
Total shareholders’ equity
    29,100,290       27,167,033  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 38,055,509     $ 38,678,876  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this financial statement
 
3

 
 
WILLAMETTE VALLEY VINEYARDS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 
    Three months ended  
   
March 31,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
             
SALES, NET
  $ 4,183,769     $ 3,912,501  
COST OF SALES
    1,584,721       1,608,467  
                 
GROSS PROFIT
    2,599,048       2,304,034  
                 
SELLING, GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
    1,856,972       1,805,367  
                 
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
    742,076       498,667  
                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
               
Interest income
    2,040       -  
Interest expense
    (73,011 )     (77,034 )
Other income, net
    90,742       82,210  
                 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    761,847       503,843  
                 
INCOME TAX PROVISION
    (273,957 )     (189,605 )
                 
NET INCOME
    487,890       314,238  
                 
Accrued preferred stock dividends
    (78,895 )     -  
                 
INCOME APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
  $ 408,995     $ 314,238  
                 
Basic income per common share after preferred dividends
  $ 0.08     $ 0.06  
                 
Diluted income per common share after preferred dividends
  $ 0.08     $ 0.06  
                 
Weighted average number of
               
basic common shares outstanding
    4,987,133       4,884,503  
Weighted average number of
               
diluted common shares outstanding
    5,003,741       4,957,041  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this financial statement






 

 
4

 
 
WILLAMETTE VALLEY VINEYARDS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

   
Three months ended March 31,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
             
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS
           
Net income
  $ 487,890     $ 314,238  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash:
               
from operating activities
               
Depreciation and amortization
    327,105       307,156  
Stock based compensation expense
    372       5,291  
Non-cash loss from investment in Kore Wine Company
    814       -  
Deferred rent liability
    (6,797 )     (5,735 )
Deferred gain
    (8,024 )     (8,024 )
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    360,798       426,803  
Inventories
    124,666       121,714  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (170,576 )     (30,183 )
Income taxes receivable
    (101,042 )     88,048  
Unearned revenue
    (28,176 )     141,363  
Deferred revenue-distribution agreement
    (35,715 )     (35,715 )
Grapes payable
    (816,879 )     (698,851 )
Accounts payable
    (177,386 )     (273,104 )
Accrued expenses
    (126,932 )     (75,776 )
Net cash from operating activities
    (169,882 )     277,225  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS
               
Additions to vineyard development costs
    (207,794 )     (138,045 )
Additions to property and equipment
    (156,769 )     (539,410 )
Net cash from investing activities
    (364,563 )     (677,455 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS
               
Proceeds from investor deposits held as restricted cash
    1,019,906       -  
Proceeds from investor deposits held as liability
    (1,019,906 )     -  
Payment on installment note for property purchase
    (245,417 )     -  
Payments on long-term debt
    (85,673 )     (81,582 )
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock
    1,446,142       -  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    119,537       127,080  
Repurchase of common stock
    (120,684 )     -  
Net cash from financing activities
    1,113,905       45,498  
                 
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    579,460       (354,732 )
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period
    4,010,664       519,761  
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period
  $ 4,590,124     $ 165,029  
                 
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
Purchases of property and equipment and vineyard development
               
costs included in accounts payable
  $ 10,369     $ 4,530  
                 
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 interim financial statements as of March 31, 2016 and for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements. The financial information as of December 31, 2015 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, 2015. Certain information or footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. 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, 2015, as presented in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year ending December 31, 2016, or any portion thereof.

The Company’s revenues include direct-to-consumer sales and national sales to distributors.  These sales channels utilize shared resources for production, selling and distribution.

Basic earnings per share after preferred stock dividends 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 dilutive common shares outstanding during the period.  Dilutive shares from stock options and other instruments are excluded from the computation when their effect is anti-dilutive. There were no anti-dilutive shares outstanding as of March 31, 2016 and 2015. 16,608 and 72,538 potentially dilutive shares are included in the computation of dilutive earnings per share for the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The following table presents the earnings per share after preferred stock dividends calculation for the periods shown:
 
   
Three months ended March 31,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
Numerator
           
             
Net income
  $ 487,890     $ 314,238  
Accrued preferred stock dividends
    (78,895 )     -  
                 
Net income applicable to common shares
  $ 408,995     $ 314,238  
                 
Denominator
               
                 
Basic weighted average common shares
    4,987,133       4,884,503  
Dilutive stock options
    16,608       72,538  
                 
      5,003,741       4,957,041  
                 
Basic income per common share after preferred dividends
  $ 0.08     $ 0.06  
                 
Diluted income per common share after preferred dividends
  $ 0.08     $ 0.06  
 

 
6

 
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION (CONTINUED)
 
Restricted Cash - In August 2015, the Company commenced a public offering of our Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock pursuant to a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company also registered this transaction with the securities authorities of the States of Oregon and Washington.  Under the terms of this agreement, the Company remits cash received for stock subscriptions to the transfer agent who holds those funds in escrow until released in accordance with the registration statement.  As of March 31, 2016, the Company held restricted cash of $35,219 associated with funds for subscription agreements that had not yet been processed through the transfer agent. Additionally, the Company held restricted cash of $421,107 in escrow with the transfer agent for a total restricted cash of $456,326. The Company established a corresponding liability for this preferred stock funding.

2) INVENTORIES

The Company’s inventories, by major classification, are summarized as follows, as of the dates shown:
 
   
March 31, 2016
   
December 31, 2015
 
             
Winemaking and packaging materials
  $ 891,811     $ 690,292  
Work-in-process (costs relating to
               
unprocessed and/or unbottled wine products)
    5,593,031       6,058,701  
Finished goods (bottled wine and related products)
    4,022,954       3,883,469  
                 
Current inventories
  $ 10,507,796     $ 10,632,462  

3) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

The Company’s property and equipment consists of the following, as of the dates shown:
 
   
March 31, 2016
   
December 31, 2015
 
             
Construction in progress
  $ 200,327     $ 482,284  
Land, improvements and other buildings
    5,425,985       5,089,472  
Winery building and hospitality center
    13,841,544       13,756,320  
Equipment
    9,044,258       9,055,987  
                 
      28,512,114       28,384,063  
                 
Accumulated depreciation
    (11,938,995 )     (11,654,901 )
                 
    $ 16,573,119     $ 16,729,162  
 
4)  DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT RECEIVABLE AND DEFERRED REVENUE

Effective September 1, 2011, the Company entered into an agreement with Young’s Market Company for distribution of Company-produced wines in Oregon and Washington.  The terms of this contract include exclusive rights to distribute Willamette Valley Vineyard’s wines in Oregon and Washington for seven years.  In an effort to facilitate the transition, with as little disruption as possible, Young’s Market Company agreed to compensate Willamette Valley Vineyards for ongoing Oregon sales and branding efforts.  As a result, the Company was due to receive $250,000 per year starting on September 2011 for each of the next four years for a total of $1,000,000. In October of 2014, the Company received payment of the final $250,000 under this agreement.  The total amount of $1,000,000 received by the Company related to this agreement is being recognized as revenue on a straight line basis over the seven year life of the agreement. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company has recognized revenue related to this agreement in the amount of $35,715 and $35,715, respectively, recorded to other income.


 
7

 
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
5)  DEBT

Line of Credit Facility – In December of 2005 the Company entered into a revolving line of credit agreement with Umpqua Bank that allows borrowings of up to $2,000,000 against eligible accounts receivable and inventories as defined in the agreement. The revolving line bears interest at prime, is payable monthly, and is subject to annual renewal. In February of 2016, the Company renewed the credit agreement until July 31, 2017. The interest rate was 3.5% at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 there was no outstanding balance on this revolving line of credit.

The line of credit agreement includes various covenants, which among other things, require the Company to maintain minimum amounts of tangible net worth, debt/worth ratio, and debt service coverage as defined. As of March 31, 2016, the Company was in compliance with these financial covenants.

Note payable – In April of 2015 the Company purchased approximately 42 acres of farmland in the Walla Walla AVA under terms that included paying one third of the price upon closing and one third in each of the two subsequent years.  As of March 31, 2016 the Company had a balance of $245,417 due on April 1, 2017.  No interest accrues under the terms of this note. As of December 31, 2015 the Company had a balance due of $490,834.

Long Term Debt - The Company has four long term debt agreements with Farm Credit Services with an aggregate outstanding balance of $5,087,345 and $5,173,018 as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. These loans require monthly principal and interest payments of $53,058 for the life of the loans, at annual fixed interest rates ranging from 4.75% to 6.70%, and with maturity dates ranging from 2024 through 2028. The general purposes of these loans were to make capital improvements to the winery and vineyard facilities.

6) STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

The Company has a stock incentive plan, originally created in 1992, and most recently amended in 2001.  No additional grants may be made under the plan.  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 were generally granted based on employee performance with vesting periods ranging from date of grant to seven years.  At the date of the grant, the maximum term before expiration is ten years.

The following table presents information related to the value of outstanding stock options for the period shown:
 
   
Three months ended
 
   
March 31, 2016
 
             
   
Weighted Average Exercise
 
   
Shares
   
Price
 
             
Outstanding at beginning of period
    67,000     $ 3.22  
Granted
    -       -  
Exercised
    (36,843 )     3.24  
Forfeited
    -       -  
                 
Outstanding at end of period
    30,157     $ 3.19  
 
At March 31, 2016, the Company had 7,000 unvested stock options with associated unrecognized compensation cost of $808 that will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.13 years.  The intrinsic value of the 23,157 stock options exercisable at March 31, 2016 was $85,732.
 
 

 
8

 
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
6) STOCK BASED COMPENSATION (CONTINUED)
 
The Company expenses stock options on a straight-line basis over the options’ related vesting term.  Pretax compensation expense related to stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $372 and $5,291, respectively.

Stock options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were 36,843 and 30,000, respectively.

7)  INTEREST AND TAXES PAID

Income taxes – The Company paid $375,250 and $101,550 in income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Interest - The Company paid $73,503 and $77,593 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in interest on long-term debt and revolving line of credit.

8)  SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company has identified two operating segments, Direct Sales and Distributor Sales, based upon their different distribution channels, margins and selling strategies.  Direct Sales includes retail sales in the tasting room and remote sites, Wine Club sales, on-site events, kitchen and catering sales and other sales made directly to the consumer without the use of an intermediary, including sales of bulk wine or grapes.  Distributor Sales include all sales through a third party where prices are given at a wholesale rate.

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 segments.  Selling expenses that can be directly attributable to the segment, including depreciation of segment specific assets, are included, however, centralized selling expenses and 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 segment specific depreciation associated with selling, is not available and that information continues to be aggregated.

The following table outlines the sales, cost of sales, gross margin, directly attributable selling expenses, and contribution margin of the segments for the three month periods ending March 31, 2016 and 2015.  Sales figures are net of related excise taxes.
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
Direct Sales
   
Distributor Sales
   
Total
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
                                     
Sales, net
  $ 1,401,475     $ 1,456,564     $ 2,782,294     $ 2,455,937     $ 4,183,769     $ 3,912,501  
Cost of Sales
    327,166       406,141       1,257,555       1,202,326       1,584,721       1,608,467  
Gross Margin
    1,074,309       1,050,423       1,524,739       1,253,611       2,599,048       2,304,034  
Selling Expenses
    687,628       670,241       376,787       396,418       1,064,415       1,066,659  
Contribution Margin
  $ 386,681     $ 380,182     $ 1,147,952     $ 857,193     $ 1,534,633     $ 1,237,375  
Percent of Sales
    33.5%       37.2%       66.5%       62.8%       100.0%       100.0%  
 
Direct sales include $2,800 and $248,876 of bulk wine sales in the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

9) SALE OF PREFERRED STOCK
 
In August 2015, the Company commenced a public offering of our Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock pursuant to a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The preferred stock under this issue is non-voting and will rank senior in rights and preferences to the Company’s common stock.  Shareholders of this issue will be entitled to receive dividends, when and as declared by the Company’s Board of Directors, at a rate of $0.22 per share.  Dividends accrued but not paid will be added to the liquidation preference of the stock until the dividend is declared and paid.  At any time after June 1, 2021, the Company has the option, but not the obligation, to redeem all of the outstanding preferred stock in an amount equal to the original issue price of $4.15 per share plus accrued but unpaid dividends and a redemption premium equal to 3% of the original issue price of $4.15 per share.  The Company registered this transaction with the securities authorities of the States of Oregon and Washington and subsequently obtained a listing on the NASDAQ under the trading symbol WVVIP.  This issue had an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $6,000,000 and was fully subscribed as of December 31, 2015.
 
 
 
9

 
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
9) SALE OF PREFERRED STOCK (CONTINUED)
 
On December 22, 2015 the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 with the SEC pertaining to the potential future issuance of one or more classes or series of debt, equity or derivative securities.  On February 28, 2016 shareholders of the Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock approved an increase in shares designated as Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock, from 1,445,783 to 2,857,548 shares, and amended the certificate of designation for those shares to allow the Company’s Board of Directors to make future increases.  On March 10, 2016 the Company filed a Prospectus Supplement to the December 2015 Form S-3, pursuant to which the Company proposes to offer and sell, on a delayed or continuous basis, up to 970,588 additional shares of Series A redeemable Preferred stock having proceeds not to exceed $4,125,000.  This stock will be sold in four offering periods beginning with an offering price of $4.25 per share and concluding at $4.55 per share.

Under the terms of this offering, proceeds from the sale of preferred stock for the three months ended March 31, 2016 were held in escrow until the stock was subsequently issued effective April 1, 2016.  At March 31, 2016 $421,107 in stock sale proceeds were held in escrow and subsequently released to the Company in April 2016.  As of March 31, 2016 the Company had on deposit $35,219 in investor stock subscription payments that had not completed processing.  Total funds, held by the Company as restricted cash, were $456,326 associated with this offering.

10) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation  From time to time, in the normal course of business, the Company is a party to legal proceedings. Management believes that these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows, but, due to the nature of litigation, the ultimate outcome of any potential actions cannot presently be determined.

Grape Purchases - The Company entered into three long-term grape purchase agreements, in 2004, 2006 and 2007, with one of its Willamette Valley wine grape growers that included expiration dates in 2015 and 2016.  In March 2016, the Company agreed to contract extensions, for these three contracts, through harvest year 2019.  With these contracts, the Company is obligated to purchase, at pre-determined prices, quantities determined annually and produced within the strict quality standards and crop loads.  The Company cannot calculate the minimum or maximum payment as such a calculation is dependent on annual agreed upon quantities and the amount of grapes produced that meet the strict quality standards in any given year.

11) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events are events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued.  The Company recognizes in the financial statements the effects of all subsequent events that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet, including the estimates inherent in the process of preparing the financial statements.  The Company’s financial statements do not recognize subsequent events that provide evidence about conditions that did not exist at the date of the balance sheet but arose after the balance sheet date and before financial statements are issued.

In November of 2015 the Board approved a program to repurchase common stock of the Company.  Under the November 2015 board action, the Company funded a plan to repurchase up to $250,000 of common stock through the open market.  This plan is intended to remain in place until all funding for the plan is depleted or the plan is expanded or terminated by the Board.  As of March 31, 2016, $128,842 remained unspent under this plan.  On April 25, 2016, the Board approved allocating additional funds to increase the plan balance back to the $250,000 level.  This plan is intended to remain in place until all funding for the plan is depleted or the plan is expanded or terminated by the Board of Directors.

In April of 2015 the Company purchased approximately 42 acres of farmland in the Walla Walla AVA for the development of a vineyard to be named Pambrun Vineyard.  Under the terms of the purchase, the Company was granted an option to buy an additional parcel of approximately 45 acres for $433,000 with the option exercisable no later than December 31, 2016.  On April 25, 2016 the Board voted to exercise the option to purchase the additional acreage.  Payments for the purchase will be in three equal annual installments with the first payment being made at closing which is anticipated to be in January 2017.
 
 
 
10

 
 
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 disclaims 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 in 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, 2015.  Such policies were unchanged during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Overview

The Company generates revenues from the sales of wine to wholesalers and direct to consumers.  Direct to consumer sales primarily include sales through the Company’s Tasting Rooms and Wine Club.  Direct to consumer sales are more profitable to the Company due to prices received being closer to retail than those prices paid by wholesalers.  The Company continues to emphasize growth in direct to consumer sales through the Hospitality Center remodel and expansion and growth in wine club membership.  Additionally, the Company’s preferred stock sales since August 2015 have resulted in approximately 2,172 new preferred stockholders as of March 31, 2016, many of them wine enthusiasts.  When considering joint ownership, these new shareholders represent approximately 3,400 potential customers of the Company.  Wine Club membership decreased by approximately 69 net members, or 1.1%, to a total of 6,301 members for the three months ending March 31, 2016.  The Company believes the increase in preferred shareholders, who receive enhanced discounts, has decreased the number of people who would otherwise become Wine Club members.

 
 

 
 
11

 
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
 
Periodically, the Company will sell grapes or bulk wine, due to them not meeting Company standards or being excess to production targets, however this activity is not a significant part of the Company’s activities.

The Company sold approximately 30,105 and 26,555 cases of produced wine during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, an increase of 3,550 cases, or 13.4% in the current year period over the prior year period.  The increase in wine sales was the result of increased direct to consumer sales as well as increased sales through distributors.

Cases sold in 2016 include approximately 85 cases of unfulfilled “futures”, where a customer prepays for a wine not yet released.  Cases sold in 2015 include approximately 268 cases of unfulfilled “futures”, where a customer prepays for a wine not yet released.  Proceeds from these sales are not recognized as revenue until shipped and are reflected as unearned revenue.  Selling expenses for these sales are recognized in the period in which the expense is incurred.

Cost of sales includes grape costs, whether purchased or grown at Company vineyards, winemaking and processing costs, bottling, packaging, warehousing and shipping and handling costs.  For grapes grown at Company vineyards, costs include farming expenditures and amortization of vineyard development costs.

At March 31, 2016, wine inventory includes approximately 62,751 cases of bottled wine and 368,000 gallons of bulk wine in various stages of the aging process.  Case wine is expected to be sold over the next 12 to 24 months and generally before the release date of the next vintage. The winery bottled approximately 31,261 cases during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $487,890 and $314,238, respectively, an increase of $173,652, or 55.3%, in the current year period over the prior year period.

Income applicable to common shareholders for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $408,995 and $314,238, respectively, an increase of $94,757, or 30.2%, in the current year period over the prior year period.

Overall gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $2,599,048 and $2,304,034, respectively, an increase of $295,014, or 12.8%, in the current year period over the prior year period.  Gross profit percent for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was 62.1% and 58.9%, an increase of 3.2 percentage points, in the current year period over the prior year period.

The Company generated $0..08 and $0.06 in basic earnings per share after preferred dividends during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
 
Willamette Valley Vineyards continues to receive positive recognition through national magazines, regional publications, local newspapers and online bloggers. 

The Company's Founder Jim Bernau was selected as the face of the Oregon Wine Board's Oregon Wine Month promotional campaign. Print advertisements and in-store point of sale materials will be featured throughout the country promoting Oregon wines. 

The Classic Wine Auction presented their annual ORVI Award to Founder Jim Bernau for his achievements in building the Oregon wine industry and establishing its worldwide reputation. The ORVI Award is presented to individuals that have not only elevated the status of Oregon wines, but have also provided generous support to the Classic Wines Auction. 

Portland Monthly Magazine selected Founder Jim Bernau for their Faces of Portland campaign featuring him as the face of Oregon wine. 

The Company partnered with the Portland Timbers major league soccer team for the 2016 season. The partnership includes in-stadium experiences and tastings, premium concession offerings and joint advertising. 

 
12

 
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
 
The Statesman Journal newspaper featured an article titled, “Oregon Wine Industry Honors the Best,” which announced the Company’s Vineyard Manager, Efren Loeza earned the inaugural Oregon Wine Board Vineyard Excellence Award at the 2016 Oregon Wine Symposium.

Kelly Mitchell of The Huffington Post published an online feature story about the Company titled “Perfecting Pinot in the Willamette Valley,” and writing, “Today Willamette Valley Vineyards is a leader, not only in the production of top Pinot Noir, but in the employing practices to offset environmental impact of the business.”

Great Northwest Wine named the Company’s 2012 O’Brien Pinot Noir to its list of the Top 100 Best Northwest Wines of 2015 and compiled their Top 10 Wine Stories of 2015 and listed the Company’s land purchase in the Walla Walla Valley at #8 saying, “Not far from the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater is one of the most exciting new vineyard projects in the Pacific Northwest, and a large Oregon winery now has invested in its future. In June, Willamette Valley Vineyards in Turner, Ore., announced it had purchased 42 acres of land in SeVein, a north-facing area on the Oregon side of the Walla Walla Valley. Jim Bernau, CEO of Willamette Valley Vineyards, has an option to purchase another 45 acres. He is creating a new winery called Pambrun that will use grapes exclusively from SeVein.”
 
The Oregonian newspaper named the Company as "One of the Most Elegant Wineries in Oregon" in the January 2016 article.

The Company’s 2012 Bernau Block Pinot Noir was featured as Wine Press Northwest’s “Wine of the Week” in January 2016.

Wine Spectator rated the 2014 Riesling with a 90 point and “Best Buy” in the February 2016 issue.

The 2016 first quarter issue of Burghound.com rated the Company’s 2012 Fuller Pinot Noir a 92 point, 2012 O’Brien Pinot Noir a 91 point, 2012 Tualatin Estate Pinot Noir a 91 point, 2012 Hannah Pinot Noir a 90 point, and 2012 Signnature Cuve’e Pinot Noir a 90 point.

Joey Amato with UNITE Magazine included the Company’s 2013 Estate Pinot Noir in his piece on Top Wines for the Holidays saying the wine "exemplifies the 'Oregon style'” and that it is "Exceptionally balanced with silky tannins, lively acidity and a lingering finish."

Stan Reitan selected the Company’s Whole Cluster Pinot Noir as his "Pick of the Week" in Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper. In addition to giving the wine an "A+" he states "This is intense Pinot Noir without going big" and "The price is right and the wine is incredible."   
 
The Company earned the cover story with a photograph of the winemaking team and company profile in the Enterprise publication produced by the Strategic Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR), a non-profit entity in Oregon’s Mid-Willamette focused on retaining and attracting high value jobs and capital investment to the region. 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Revenue

Sales for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were $4,183,769 and $3,912,501, respectively, an increase of $271,268, or 6.9%, in the current year period over the prior year period.  This is caused by an increase in direct sales of $190,987, offset by a bulk wine sales decrease of $246,076, and an increase in sales through distributors of $326,357 in the current year three month period over the prior year period.  The increase in direct sales to consumers is primarily the result of increased wine club, tasting room and kitchen and hospitality sales, offset by a decrease in bulk wine sales in 2016 when compared to 2015.  The increase in sales through distributors was not attributable to an isolated factor.

Cost of Sales

Cost of Sales for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were $1,584,721 and $1,608,467, respectively, a decrease of $23,746, or 1.5%, in the current period over the prior year period.  This change was primarily the result of an overall increase in margins of vintages currently being sold.

 
13

 
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
 
Gross Profit

Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $2,599,048 and $2,304,034, respectively, an increase of $295,014, or 12.8%, in the current year period over the prior year period.  This increase is primarily the result of an overall increase in sales in addition to the release of vintages with higher profit margins.

Gross profit percent for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was 62.1% and 58.9%, an increase of 3.2 percentage points, in the current year period over the prior year period.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense

Selling, general and administrative expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $1,856,972 and $1,805,367, respectively, an increase of $51,605, or 2.9%, in the current year period over the prior year period.  This increase is the result of a general overall increased selling and administrative expenses and is not attributable to specific factors.

Interest Expense

Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $73,011 and $77,034, respectively, a decrease of $4,023 or 5.2%, in the current year period over the prior year period.  The reduction in interest expense was the result of reduced debt in the current year when compared to the prior year.

Income Taxes

The income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $273,957 and $189,605, respectively, an increase of $84,352 or 44.5%, in the current year period over the prior year period.  The Company’s estimated federal and state combined income tax rate was 36.0% and 37.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Net Income

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $487,890 and $314,238, respectively, an increase of $173,652, or 55.3%, in the current year period over the prior year period.  This increase is primarily the result of overall increase in sales of wines, with higher margins, in the current period when compared to the prior year period.

Income Applicable to Common Shareholders

Income applicable to common shareholders for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $408,995 and $314,238, respectively, an increase of $94,757, or 30.2%, in the current year period over the prior year period.  This increase is primarily the result of overall increase in sales of wines, with higher margins, in the current period when compared to the prior year period.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At March 31, 2016, the Company had a working capital balance of $15.8 million and a current working capital ratio of 10.41:1.  At December 31, 2015, the Company had a working capital balance of $14.0 million and a current working capital ratio of 4.43:1.

At March 31, 2016, the Company had a cash balance of $4,590,124.  At December 31, 2015, the Company had a cash balance of $4,010,664.  This change is primarily the result of proceeds from the sale of preferred stock partially offset by spending on capital improvements and operating activities.

Total cash provided by/(used in) operating activities in the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was ($169,882) and 277,225, respectively.  Cash used in operating activities from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was primarily associated with income from operations that was used to pay grape contracts and other outstanding liabilities.
 
 
14

 
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
 
Total cash used in investing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $364,563 and $677,455, respectively.  Cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 primarily consists of property and equipment purchases and vineyard development.

Total cash provided by financing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $1,113,905 and $45,498, respectively. Cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 consists primarily of proceeds from the sale of preferred stock and the exercise of stock options partially offset by the repurchase of common stock.

Non-cash investing and financing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $10,369 and $4,530 respectively.  This change is the result of timing differences in the payment of invoices.

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 Company renewed this agreement, in February of 2014, until July 31, 2017.  The index rate of prime plus zero, with a floor of 3.25%, at March 31, 2016 is 3.5%. 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, 2016, the Company was in compliance with all of the financial covenants.

At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 the Company had no balance outstanding on the line of credit.  At March 31, 2016, the Company had $2,000,000 available on the line of credit.

As of March 31, 2016 the Company had an installment note payable of $245,417, due on April 1, 2017, associated with the purchase of 42 acres of farmland in the Walla Walla AVA.  As of December 31, 2015 the Company had a balance of $490,834 due on this note.

As of March 31, 2016, the Company had a total long-term debt balance of $5,087,345, including the portion due in the next year, owed to Farm Credit Services.  As of December 31, 2015, the Company had a total long-term debt balance of $5,173,018.

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.

ITEM 3:

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

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

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, as of the end of the period covered by this report, 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.

 
15

 
 
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES (CONTINUED)
 
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, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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.

In addition to the other information set forth in this Report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2015 Report, which could materially affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. The risks described in our 2015 Report are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may eventually prove to materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

The Company may face liabilities associated with the offer and sale of our preferred stock. In August 2015, the Company commenced a public offering of our Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock pursuant to a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company has registered this transaction with the securities authorities of the States of Oregon and Washington and subsequently listed them on the NASDAQ under the trading symbol WVVIP. The terms of our Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock are unusual for a company of our size, and we believe the structure of these securities and of the offering are not commonplace among issuers of any type. Federal and state securities laws impose significant liabilities on issuers of securities if the related offering documents contain material misstatements of fact, or if the documents omit to state facts necessary, in light of the circumstances as a whole, to prevent the documents from being misleading. These liabilities can include rescission liability to the purchasers of the securities, as well as potential enforcement liability that could give rise to civil money penalties. Securities litigation can be extraordinarily expensive and protracted, and if we are accused of misstatements or omissions in our offering documents, we may face economic harms and management distractions regardless of the ultimate outcome of any such litigation. Further, if we ultimately are adjudged to have actually made a material misstatement or omission, the Company may be liable for the repayment of the purchase price of the related securities, plus interest from the date of purchase. Any one or more of these events or circumstances would have a material adverse impact upon our business, financial condition or results of operations, and may make it more difficult or more expensive to undertake capital-raising efforts in the future.










 
 
16

 

Item 2 - Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
 
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
       
Period
 
(a)
   
(b)
   
(c)
   
(d)
 
   
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased
   
Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)
   
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
   
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
 
Month #1
                       
January 2016
    10,423     $ 7.00       10,423     $ 176,533  
Month #2
                               
February 2016
    3,034     $ 7.04       3,034     $ 155,173  
Month #3
                               
March 2016
    3,717     $ 7.08       3,717     $ 128,842  
Total
    17,174     $ 7.03       17,174     $ 128,842  
 
In November of 2015 the Board approved a program to repurchase common stock of the Company.  Under the November 2015 board action, the Company funded a plan to repurchase up to $250,000 of common stock through the open market.  This plan is intended to remain in place until all funding for the plan is depleted or the plan is expanded or terminated by the Board.  As of March 31, 2016, $128,842 remained unspent under this plan.

Item 3 - Defaults upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4 - Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5 – Other Information.

None.

Item 6 – Exhibits.

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)


 
 
 
17

 
 
Item 6 – Exhibits. (CONTINUED)
 
 
 
101 
The following financial information from the Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, 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).

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 12, 2016
By:
/s/ James W. Bernau  
    James W. Bernau  
    Chief Executive Officer  
    (Principal Executive Officer)  
 
Date: May 12, 2016
By:
/s/ Richard F. Goward Jr.  
    Richard F. Goward Jr.  
    Chief Financial Officer  
    (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)  
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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