Sylphide
“Pears?”
To Americans, pears are a familiar fruit, but strictly speaking, that usually refers to Western varieties like Bartlett, Bosc, or Anjou. People generally perceived them as fruits with elongated shapes and soft, buttery textures that were best enjoyed when fully ripened and soft.
On the other hand, the round, crisp, apple-like variety is called an Asian pear. Since the 1980s, some farms in California, Oregon, and Washington had been cultivating them, primarily distributing them to Asian markets or high-end grocery stores.
Among the Asian pears in circulation, some were even the Shingo (Korean pear) variety, but they weren't widely known or mass-produced, consumed mostly by Asian middle-class families and foodies.
“What do you think? Is it a bad idea?”
“No, no, I wouldn't say it’s bad. I’ve heard that Asian pears sell for quite a high price.”
Even Frederick knew that Asian pears were being sold at premium prices in specialty markets.
“Do you have any idea how much they fetch?”
“Last I saw, was it 2.7 dollars a pound? Or 2.8? Anyway, it was around there. That would mean you could get at least 1.5 dollars wholesale.”
At 1.5 dollars per pound wholesale, that was roughly 3 dollars per kilogram. And the pear Mr. Frederick was talking about was likely not the Shingo. The Shingo pear had higher sugar content and larger fruit size compared to other Asian pears, meaning it could command a much higher price.
“Hmm... assuming you plant about 200 trees per acre... that’s 70 acres, so about 14,000 trees? You’d get over a thousand tons in annual yield at the very least... and you could easily make 3 million dollars wholesale.”
At the mention of 3 million dollars from a mere 70 acres, Frederick and Chloe’s eyes widened.
“That much?”
“Really? Then that’s a jackpot!”
“It won’t be easy. You have to tear up the existing tomato fields and plant saplings. Fortunately, Shingo pear saplings are already imported into the U.S., so getting one or two-year-old trees to plant isn't too difficult, but you won't see a proper harvest for at least four years. You can’t expect any revenue until then.”
Chloe spoke as if that didn't matter at all.
“Isn't it better to struggle for four or five years for a big harvest than to grow tomatoes now and not even get 50 dollars a ton? Even at a good price, 60 dollars a ton is just miserable.”
Frederick nodded at his daughter’s words.
“Farmers don't just look at it year by year anyway. And our family isn't exactly struggling. Besides, isn't the harvest season for pears similar to grapes?”
“Yes, they’re harvested in early autumn, so it won't overlap with the cherry harvest, which will be good for the farm’s income stability. They also have high storability, so they can be kept for quite a long time.”
“Hmm... alright. I’ll think about it.”
“Please do.”
It was easy to decide on cherry varieties because they could be grafted onto existing trees for a quick harvest, but converting an established tomato farm into an orchard was no small feat.
Furthermore, pears were different from cherries. To grow a variety you’ve never handled before requires more than double the effort compared to what you’ve done before. It wasn't a decision to be made lightly.
After finishing the conversation and checking the state of the cherry farm, I returned to Napa.
After I left, Frederick and Chloe returned to their home at the Deer Ridge Country Club and continued their conversation over dinner.
“I’m in favor of switching to an orchard. Setting everything else aside, the price difference alone is huge.”
At this point, Brandon, who didn't know what was going on, chimed in.
“Orchard? Switch what?”
Frederick kindly explained to his son.
“The tomatoes in Lodi weren't in good condition this time, so we only got 45 dollars a ton. We basically spent the whole year farming only to end up with a loss, not a profit. I was contemplating what to do, and Brian recommended Asian pears. He says it’s a variety called Shingo that’s quite famous in Korea...”
“Is it Brian again?”
Brandon’s expression soured the moment he heard the name. Chloe, seeing this, criticized her brother.
“Why do you get so annoyed whenever Brian’s name comes up? He knows way more about farming than you do, doesn't he? You know how the cherry harvest turned out this time, right?”
Brandon had been doing the work because his father ordered him to, but he still held a grudge deep down. He used to express his dissatisfaction openly, but after seeing the results of the cherry harvest with his own eyes, those complaints had dwindled lately.
Even to him, it was clear that the condition of the cherries was much better, the sugar content had risen, and above all, they had fetched a higher price, leaving him with nothing to say.
“Tch...”
He turned his head away, unwilling to admit it, but Frederick didn't scold him harshly and spoke calmly.
“There is no end to learning. It’s not a blow to your pride to learn from someone more capable than you. Even I am learning from Brian.”
“That’s what I hate the most.”
It seemed the very idea of his father learning something from an Asian man bothered him.
“Tsk tsk... with that mindset, the farm will never develop. Think about it calmly. Anyway, Chloe, you might decide so easily just thinking about the revenue, but growing a completely new crop requires more effort and care than you think. It’s like raising another child. There’s so much to learn and so much to worry about.”
“I’ll learn it.”
Brandon’s head snapped toward her. The sharp look in his eyes made it clear he wasn't a complete fool; he clearly understood the implication of what his sister had just said.
“You’re going to do it?”
“Yes, if I learn and grow it, that’s all that matters.”
Saying she would grow the crops was tantamount to saying she would inherit the 70-acre farm.
“Dad, no!”
Brandon immediately tried to stop it. When Frederick stared at him steadily, he looked slightly flustered before speaking.
“You can’t just give her the farm without any conditions. If you’re going to give that to Chloe, then give me the olive farm.”
“Ha, you two... do you think you’ve already been handed the farm?”
Amelia, the mother of Chloe and Brandon, who had been watching quietly, scolded them.
“Your father is right. Don’t act like it’s already yours.”
“No... that’s not it, but Dad was talking like he was going to give the farm to Chloe...”
“When did I say that? From what I see, Chloe is the one who suggested converting the tomato farm into an orchard to grow them.”
“That’s the same thing!”
“How is that the same thing? Then you should have said you’d do it.”
Brandon shut his mouth at Amelia’s logical retort.
“See? Now that you’re the one who has to do it, you can’t, can you?”
“I’m already doing all the work for the walnut farm...”
“Chloe is balancing school and farming too, isn't she?”
“......”
Watching Brandon nervously fiddle with his fork, Chloe smirked before turning her head back to her father.
“I can do it.”
“... It’s going to be tough.”
“I think it’ll be fun.”
With his daughter being so proactive, Frederick began to reconsider.
“It’s going to cost a massive amount of money.”
“I’m confident. If you want, you can lend the money to me. Of course, if that happens, the farm really becomes mine.”
Frederick showed genuine interest at that.
“Really? You want me to lend you the money?”
“Yes, in a format where I pay you back once there’s profit. How about it?”
Frederick looked at Brandon.
“How about it? You should be satisfied with this, right?”
“Well, if that’s the case, fine. Tell her to go ahead and try.”
With his son’s “permission” granted, Frederick began to lay out the numbers to his daughter in earnest.
“Think carefully. Assuming you plant 14,000 pear trees on 70 acres, the cost alone will be a huge sum. You have to change the soil environment, reinforce the drainage, and install a drip irrigation system just like the cherry farm. The initial capital alone could reach 1 million dollars.”
“Well... I suppose so?”
“And what about the costs to maintain the orchard for four years? It’ll cost at least 1.5 million dollars, won't it?”
At the larger-than-expected figure, the corners of Chloe’s eyes twitched slightly. It was an amount difficult for a student to handle. No, even an average person wouldn't dare attempt it if they were told they had to take on 2.5 million dollars in debt over five years. Who could easily commit to a loan worth 2.5 billion won, other than for an apartment?
“I’ll do it.”
“Don’t think of it as me lending you the money. You’ll be taking out the loan from the bank in your own name.”
“What?”
“I’ll give you your inheritance in advance. How about that? In exchange for settling the taxes and giving you your inheritance, you’ll have to take out the loan for the subsequent funds. As your parents, we can cover some of the initial operating capital. How about it? Will you still do it?”
Frederick naturally thought his daughter would say that was too much. Amelia also frowned and said,
“Honey, that’s too harsh on our daughter. She’s only twenty.”
“I know. But she’s the one who said she’d do it herself. Farming is no joke. If you just do it with the mindset of ‘let’s see if it works’...”
“I’ll do it.”
Before Frederick could even finish, Chloe stepped up.
“You’ll do it? Really?”
“Yes.”
“This is a bank loan. You have to bear the burden entirely.”
“I know. Jacob did it, and so did Armando. Brian is the same. Everyone is taking on the burden themselves and betting their lives on farming, so why shouldn't I be able to do it too?”
Frederick looked at his daughter, who stood tall and confident, with a look of pure astonishment.
After I received the label approval from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) under the U.S. Department of the Treasury, my father asked me.
“Sylphide? What does that mean?”
“It’s taken from a French ballet piece; it means a light and mysterious fairy. It expresses the delicate and elegant texture of the Pinot Noir.”
“Oh—that’s good. So, are we bottling starting tomorrow?”
“Yes. I have to stay at the Laird Family Estate for a week starting tomorrow. Please keep a good eye on the farm while I’m gone, Mom and Dad.”
“When are you harvesting from the Harper farm in the Russian River Valley?”
“We’ll harvest the day after tomorrow. I’ll be heading straight to the Laird winery then, so I’ll check the condition there myself.”
“Alright, don’t worry about the farm. We’re almost at harvest time too. I heard there was a wildfire in Pope Valley yesterday; I hope this year passes quietly.”
“Don’t even say it. A fire broke out in Las Lomas this morning, and Armando is on edge, worried it might spread down to Alexander Valley.”
“Oh my, I’m worried about Armando too. Is he doing well?”
“Yes, the Merlot harvest has started, and the Cabernet harvest will begin soon. He’s learned a lot from me, so the harvest isn't a problem, but the vinegar is the issue.”
“That’s true.”
My father, who had been nodding, asked with a rather serious face.
“What about that fellow Elowen?”
“Ah, the owner of Silveroak?”
“Yes, his daughter goes to the same school as you.”
“Yes. Why?”
“I heard he’s been bragging everywhere that his wine score is quite high this time. He even put up a banner at the winery entrance saying he got 88 points from Wine Spectator?”
“Oh, really? I guess it turned out well.”
“Exactly. He made such a fuss about it, and he said he’s even calling all the workers for a party.”
For Silveroak, which had struggled quite a bit over the last few years, this was a chance to make up for their hardships now that they had finally produced a decent piece of work.
“So it even reached your ears, Dad.”
“Don’t even ask. They even sent someone to invite me to the party while you were away.”
“Haha, really? I didn't think they’d invite us.”
“That’s how much he wants to brag.”
At that moment, a sharp shout was heard from far away.
“Oh my, dear! Honey!”
I jumped up, startled and ready to run, when my mother burst through the door, flapping something in her hand. When I looked, it was a magazine.
“Honey! Our wine was featured in a magazine again!”
Only then did I realize it wasn't anything bad, and I sat back down in my chair, exhaling in relief, but my father asked excitedly.
“Oh? Where?”
“You know that magazine from before? They posted another review, this time for Achelon. But don’t be surprised. The score is... 90 points!”
Mom opened the magazine and showed me and Dad the review.
“What? 90 points? Hahaha! Take that, Silveroak Winery! We should be the ones throwing a party! Hahaha!”
My father burst into laughter. I fixed my gaze on the magazine.
['Achelon', despite still being its first vintage, shows a level of perfection comparable to established mid-sized wineries in Napa Valley. It is worth paying attention to how much this winery will grow in the future.]
Christopher White’s wine review. I still remember his angry face from back then, but surprisingly, the score and the evaluation were full of praise.
“This guy has quite a bit of professionalism.”
I looked at the photo of Achelon in the review and smiled with satisfaction.