Barnstormer Winery

Scott Bronstein purchased the historic barn, property and business located at 4184 NY Route 14 on the west side of Seneca Lake in early 2013. But to get the structure and the property where he wanted it - and needed it - some significant funding was needed. That’s where REDEC came in. The barn was 180 years old, and he went looking for regional money to help with the project. When we talked to Bronstein about the story of Barnstormer, he was rounding the bend on 10 years in business, which also meant that original 10-year loan was just about paid off.

“It really helped propel us through some of the early difficult times of this business, and allowed us to open our doors successfully in 2013,” he explains. “Without that bridge loan, it would have been a pretty interesting journey for me. REDEC really came to the table and helped bridge that gap.”

Since then, Barnstormer has been supported by several other loans for things including equipment purchases that helped the business shift and grow.

“When we hit levels where we are at capacity with what our current capabilities are, they really helped move the needle forward in a pretty quick way and we see immediate results every single time,” Bronstein says. “We buy a piece of equipment that expedites efficiencies or increases output or expands our seating capacity inside, or improves our food and beverage program. Every single year, I find one or two things we need to improve and increase our efficiencies and output. REDEC has been really, really great. The application, paperwork, it takes a very limited amount of time for the results that we get out of it so I’m really pleased with the process.”

Agility is important in the wine industry, Bronstein says, so REDEC’s speed and accessibility is a good fit for moments when he needs to move quickly to make a purchase that will help build his business.

“If I see something and there’s a small window to move on it, it’s a great way to get some quick capital,” he says. “Being able to move quickly on your feet is really important in this business.”

That ability and his decade-long partnership with REDEC have led to a strategic, measured growth at Barnstormer.

“Our first year of production, we did about 700 cases of wine. We’re at about 4,000 now,” Bronstein says. “Those aren’t huge leaps but they’re big enough chunks where you have to plan and manage cash flow and equipment purchases.”

“It’s a testament to how many good actors and well-intentioned people are in this community,” he adds. “It really takes a village to raise a business, especially a business like a winery, which is a pretty complex one. The community accepted us. They allowed us in, and they allowed us to grow and evolve and be our unique selves. REDEC was a big, big part of that journey and I would imagine they will continue to be a big part of that journey as we grow. We really want Barnstormer to root itself in not only the Finger Lakes narrative but the national narrative. We hope in another decade that our name is mentioned among the very good producers of the U.S. and the world.”

For more information about Barnstormer, visit www.barnstormerwinery.com. To inquire about loans for your business, contact REDEC at info@redec.us or 607-962-3021. Get started by submitting a pre-application here.