TOPSFIELD — A new ownership group has signed a purchase and sale agreement to acquire Alfalfa Farm in Topsfield and its winery, with plans to continue the historical use of the property as a vineyard and to create a community hub selling locally made, sustainable goods such as craft beer and wine.
While the plans have only been drafted, Paul Donhauser, CEO of Essex County Brewing Co. and Brian Workman have partnered with the intention of preserving and enhancing Alfalfa Farm by upgrading the property with new roofs, new siding and landscaping.
“In the short term, we hope to continue to produce and sell the award-winning wines,” he said. “Longer term, we hope to partner with the town of Topsfield and create an amazing community hub with a huge emphasis on buying local, sustainability, agricultural education, and creating long lasting memories.
“We think this is the right place for craft brew, craft wine, and craft events!”
Ben Adelman, owner of Alfalfa Farm originally put the property on the market on May 1, but it wasn’t until this month that he found a buyer who was the right fit and would continue the legacy of the farm and winery that his father Richard Adelman started when he bought it in 1974.
When Richard Adelman, who passed away last year, bought the 10 acres of what had once been a 600-acre dairy farm, he originally boarded horses and kept beef cattle on the property. It wasn’t until 1995 that he would plant the first vines after his brother, David Adelman, a chemical engineer, suggested they turn his personal hobby of wine-making into a business.
The vineyard’s wine would become highly celebrated, winning a Double Gold award at the Indy International Wine Making competition at Purdue University in 2015. The farm has also made a name for itself by having a strong presence in the local community, attending local farmers markets and hosting amateur wine-making competitions over the years.
For the next chapter in the farm’s long history, sights like the vineyard and silos visible off Route 95 will most likely remain, while other building and landscaping improvements will be made to provide a new home for Essex County Brewing Co. Adelman said he anticipated closing with the buyers at the end of August, at which point he and the new tenant will be able to provide further plans.
“We’re very excited, this seems like a great buyer,” he said. “Somebody’s going to continue the legacy of Alfalfa Farm and the winery that my family started. and I think it’s just going to be a really good fit for the community.”
Michael McHugh can be contacted at mmchugh@northofboston.com or at 781-799-5202