Yamhella Vineyard Water Rights Due Diligence Evaluation

GSI conducted a water rights due diligence evaluation for Yamhella Vineyard to help strengthen its water supply and prepare for any future expansion plans. We examined the Oregon Water Resources Department’s online water rights databases and physical records in Salem to identify all water rights associated with the vineyard. We then conducted an audit to determine whether the identified water rights were in good standing—that is, not subject to cancellation because of non-use or non-compliance. We also identified water rights conditions and limitations and evaluated whether the water rights were consistent with current water use. We then determined whether there were any issues associated with obtaining additional water supplies for expansion of the vineyard in the future.

As part of this work, we helped the client better understand water rights issues in Oregon and outlined recommendations for protecting existing water rights and ensuring a sufficient water supply for the current vineyard and planned expansions. We have since helped implement several of the recommendations, including permit extension applications and Claims of Beneficial Use for multiple permits, and continue to provide general on-call consulting services.   

GSI’s work involved:

• Conducting a water rights audit.
• Evaluating water rights to ensure they were consistent with water use.
• Educating the client on water rights issues.
• Determining the likelihood of obtaining additional water supplies for expansion.
• Implementing water rights transactions to help shore up the property’s water rights.