-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Lu2280r77fU0CPRKQRVf1oyYwJKqsWKrzOSpYydHs895xmMx9AymC55IxqzOS5Rz lweKq6rfhiftab9P5upyDQ== 0000102588-09-000014.txt : 20090928 0000102588-09-000014.hdr.sgml : 20090928 20090928153056 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000102588-09-000014 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 7 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20090630 FILED AS OF DATE: 20090928 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20090928 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SONOMAWEST HOLDINGS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000102588 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: LESSORS OF REAL PROPERTY, NEC [6519] IRS NUMBER: 941069729 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0630 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-01912 FILM NUMBER: 091090172 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2064 HIGHWAY 116 NORTH CITY: SEBASTOPOL STATE: CA ZIP: 95472 BUSINESS PHONE: 707-824-2534 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2064 HIGHWAY 116 NORTH CITY: SEBASTOPOL STATE: CA ZIP: 95472 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: VACU DRY CO DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 10-K 1 swhi10k063009.htm ANNUAL REPORT [SECTION 13 AND 15(D), NOT S-K ITEM 405] swhi10k063009.htm



U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
 
FORM 10-K
 
[X]           Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009
 
[  ]           Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
For the transition period from _______ to _______.
 
Commission file number 0-1912
 
SONOMAWEST HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation of organization)
94-1069729
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
2064 Highway 116 North, Sebastopol, California 95472
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(707) 824-2534
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  None
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
 
Common Stock, Par Value $0.0001 per share
(Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

YES     o                      NO x
 
Indicated by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

YES     o                      NO x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 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.
     
YES    x                      NO o

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).

YES     o                      NO o

 
1

 

 

 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  [   ]

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 definition of “accelerated filer”, “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 

 
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company x

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

YES  o                                   NO   x

Aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates based on the closing price of the registrant’s common stock as reported in the “pink sheets” published by The Pink Sheets LLC on December 31, 2008: $3,795,690.  For the purposes of the foregoing calculations, shares of common stock held by persons who hold more than 5% of the outstanding shares of common stock and shares held by executive officers and directors of the registrant have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliates is not necessarily conclusive for this or any other purpose.

As of September 28, 2009, there were 1,251,367 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding which is the only class of shares publicly traded.

Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part II and Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the extent stated herein.  The Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days of the registrant’s fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.

 
2

 

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
               
       
Page
 
               
PART I
   
4
 
Items 1 and 2.
 
Business and Properties
   
4
 
Item 1A.
 
Risk Factors
   
9
 
Item 1B.
 
Unresolved Staff Comments 
   
12
 
Item 3.
 
Legal Proceedings
   
12
 
Item 4.
 
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
   
12
 
 
PART II
   
12
 
Item 5.
 
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
   
12
 
Item 7.
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
   
13
 
Item 8.
 
Financial Statements
   
21
 
Item 9.
 
Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
   
39
 
Item 9A(T).
 
Controls and Procedures 
   
39
 
Item 9B.
 
Other Information .
   
39
 
 
PART III
   
40
 
Item 10.
 
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
   
40
 
Item 11.
 
Executive Compensation
   
40
 
Item 12.
 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
   
40
 
Item 13.
 
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
   
40
 
Item 14.
 
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
   
40
 
 
 PART IV
   
42
 
Item 15.
 
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 
   
42
 
 
SIGNATURES
   
43
 
        Schedule II.  Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
        Schedule III. Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
 
        EX-31.1 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
 
EX-31.2 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
 
        EX-32.2 Certification of Chief Financial and Executive Officer
 


 
3

 


DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
SonomaWest Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “Registrant”) is including the following cautionary statement in this Annual Report to make applicable and take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for any forward looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company.  The statements contained in this Report that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements”, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “estimated,” “projects,” “anticipated,” “assumes,” “expects,” “intends,” “believes,” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions.  Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The Company’s expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed by the Company to have a reasonable basis, although actual results may differ materially from those described in any such forward looking statements.  All written and oral forward-looking statements made in connection with this report which are attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the disclosures contained under the “Risk Factors” heading in this report and other cautionary statements set forth under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere herein. There can be no assurance that management’s expectations, beliefs or projections will be achieved or accomplished, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward looking statements.
 
PART I
 
Items 1 and 2.  Business and Properties
 
SonomaWest Holdings, Inc.  (the “Company”), formerly Vacu-dry, was incorporated in 1946 and currently operates as a real estate management and rental company. The Company’s rental operations include two industrial/agricultural properties.  The commercial property is now being rented to third parties.  The Company’s primary operating revenue is generated from the leasing of its two properties located in Sebastopol, California.
 
The properties are leased to multiple tenants with leases ranging in length from month-to-month to leases with expiration dates through 2023.  Revenue from lease rental is recognized on a monthly basis, based upon the dollar amount specified in the related lease.  The Company requires that all tenants be covered by a lease.  The Company does not have leases that require the lessee to pay the lessor any additional rent based upon the lessee’s sales or any other financial performance measures.
 
Properties
 
        The Company owns two properties together comprising 91.24 acres in West Sonoma County, approximately 56 miles north of San Francisco.  The properties are four miles apart, north and south of the town of Sebastopol located in the “Russian River Valley” wine appellation district.

 
4

 

SonomaWest Industrial Park South. This property (the “South property”) consists of 15.2 acres of land immediately south of Sebastopol at 1365 Gravenstein Highway South.  Improvements on the property consist of five connected buildings on a parcel approximately five acres in size with an aggregate of 85,882 square feet of leasable space under roof with an average effective annual rental of $6.92 per square foot as of June 30, 2009.  In addition, there is 4,458 square feet of outside area that is currently leased. The available space is suited for commercial rental.  Other features include ample parking, security and a location close to major north-south and east-west traffic arteries. The property is zoned for “limited industrial” use, meaning that permitted uses include agricultural/food processing, light industry, related offices to support industrial tenant activities, warehousing or storage.  Adjacent to the occupied five-acre site are two additional undeveloped Company owned parcels approximately two acres and eight acres in size.  These parcels are zoned “limited industrial” and “low density residential,” respectively.
 
As of June 30, 2009, 97% of the leasable space under roof at the South property had been leased to eight tenants. In addition, 4,458 square feet of outside space had also been leased to eight tenants.  Lease terms for all property range from month-to-month to longer term leases with expiration dates through 2017.
 
The following table sets forth information as of June 30, 2009, concerning future lease expirations and other data related to the South property.

Year ending June 30th
 
Number of Tenants Whose Leases Will Expire
   
Total Square Feet Covered by Remaining Long-term Leases
   
Annual Rent Represented by Remaining Long-term Leases
 
2010
    1       85,335     $ 568,000  
2011
    2       76,733       500,000  
2012
    1       59,238       130,000  
2013
    0        5,417       30,000  
2014
    0        5,417       30,000  
Thereafter
    1        5.417       99,000  
 
The table above does not include month-to-month leases. For the year ended June 30, 2009, 2.6% of the Company’s South property rental revenue was generated from month-to-month leases. As of June 30, 2009, approximately 2.6% or 2,236 square feet of the South property’s total leased square footage was covered by month-to-month leases.
 
As of June 30, 2009, the accumulated book depreciation of the South property was $1,151,347 and the book net carrying value was $254,089.  Depreciation expense is calculated on a straight-line basis for book purposes and through various methods for tax purposes.  The real estate taxes for this property for the year ended June 30, 2009 were $15,143.  The Company has no debt associated with this property.
 

SonomaWest Industrial Park North.  This property (the “North property”) consists of 76.04 acres of land approximately two miles north of Sebastopol at 2064 Gravenstein Highway North.  Improvements on the property consist of 7 buildings located on approximately 27 acres with an aggregate of 292,414 square feet of leasable space under roof with an average effective annual rental of $8.04 per square foot as of June 30, 2009. In addition, there is 56,041 square feet of outside area that is currently leased. The balance of the property is dedicated to wastewater treatment and a large pond for fire protection. The principal administrative offices of the Company occupy a small portion of the North property in a leased trailer.  The Company believes its office space is adequate for its current needs.

 
5

 

On March 28, 2006, Sonoma County approved modifications to the existing land use entitlements on the Company’s North property, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions.  These land use entitlement changes, among other things, approved a rezoning of the property from “Diverse Agricultural” to “MP-Industrial Park” use and the approval of a master use permit.  The rezoning permits industrial activities consistent with the agricultural/food processing and related warehousing that currently occur on the property.  These land use approvals permit the Company to lease the property to a broader range of tenants and allow for a broader range of uses on the property.  The approvals also permit new buildings to be constructed to replace older buildings without having to reapply for additional zoning approvals or waivers.  For the Company to maintain the benefits of the land use approvals, the Company was required to take a number of actions and satisfy a number of Sonoma County conditions of approval involving the property.  The Company has substantially completed the expenditures necessary to satisfy the conditions of approval for the rezoning of the North Property from “Diverse Agricultural” to “MP-Industrial Park” use.  The total cost to the Company for these improvements to date is $122,000, with an additional estimated $7,000 required to complete the conditions of the approval process.   The Company believes that these approvals are a positive development for the Company and its stockholders and potentially increases the value of the North property. The Company continues to be in compliance with the terms and conditions of our master use permit. The Company does not engage in, or make any expenditure with respect to research and development activities.
 
As of June 30, 2009, 88.8% of the leasable space under roof had been leased to twenty-four tenants.  This reduction in occupancy of 11% of the leasable space under roof was primarily from the loss of one tenant in April 2009.  An additional 56,041 square feet of outside space has also been leased to twenty-four tenants.  Leases for all property range from month-to-month to longer term leases with expiration dates through 2023.
 
The following table sets forth information as of June 30, 2009 concerning future lease expirations and other data related to the North property.
 
Year ending
June 30th
 
Number of Tenants Whose Leases Will Expire
   
Total Square Feet Covered by Remaining Long-term Leases
   
Annual Rent Represented by Remaining Long-term Leases
 
2010
    2       291,785     $ 2,201,000  
2011
    1       270,608       2,126,000  
2012
    3       266,989       1,884,000  
2013
    5       214,056       1,195,000  
2014
    2       128,576       673,000  
Thereafter
    5       81,264       2,623,000  
 
The table above does not include month-to-month leases. For the year ended June 30, 2009, 2.8% of the Company’s North property rental revenue was generated from month-to-month leases. As of June 30, 2009, approximately 7.6% or 24,053 square feet of the North property’s total leased square footage was covered by month-to-month leases.

 
6

 
As of June 30, 2009, the accumulated book depreciation of the North property was $5,250,207 and the book net carrying value was $803,663.  Depreciation expense is calculated on a straight-line basis for book purposes and through various methods for tax purposes.  The real estate taxes for this property for the year ended June 30, 2009 were $58,162.
 
The Company has a $2,500,000 three-year term loan from Wachovia Bank that is secured by this property as described further in “Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The Company continues to market all of its properties.  Given current economic conditions, we expect that some of our tenants will experience a prolonged downturn in their businesses, which in some cases may be significant. Significant downturns may weaken our tenants’ financial condition, and potentially result in the failure to make timely rental payments to the Company.  In the event of a default by a tenant, the Company would experience loss of revenue and delays in enforcing the Company's rights as landlord.  The bankruptcy or insolvency of a major tenant may further adversely affect the income produced by the Company's properties.  Any losses resulting from lease defaults or the insolvency or bankruptcy of any of the Company's tenants could adversely impact the Company's financial condition, results from operations, cash flow and the per share trading price of its common stock.  Significant, prolonged vacancies at the properties may have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Other Assets
 
Investment in MetroPCS Communications, Inc.
 

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, the Company held an investment in MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (“MetroPCS”), a wireless telecommunications company that consummated its initial public offering on April 19, 2007.  On July 15, 2008, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of the remaining 150,943 shares of MetroPCS, payable pro rata to the Company’s shareholders of record as of the close business on July 28, 2008, due and payable at the close of business on August 18, 2008. The Company distributed the entirety of its MetroPCS shares, and any shares held back were for rounding purposes only.   At June 30, 2009, the Company no longer held any MetroPCS stock.
 
Other Information
 
For the year ended June 30, 2009, the Company operated in one reportable segment, real estate management and rental operations.  The Company’s business is not seasonal and does not require significant working capital.  The Company does not engage in, or make any expenditures, with respect to research and development activities.  Revenue from tenants resulting from the Company’s leasing activities is generally payable the first of each month.  For the year ended June 30, 2009, Vinovation, Sonoma Wine Company and Greg & Greg Inc. Winery accounted for 13%, 13% and 12% of the Company’s revenue, respectively as described further in “Risk Factors – We rely on three major tenants for a significant portion of our rental revenues”.

 
7

 
 
Competition
 
        The Company competes with numerous commercial property landlords who offer warehouse, manufacturing and food processing properties in the greater Petaluma/Santa Rosa area, located in central to southern Sonoma County of Northern California.  As a result of current economic conditions, there is a significant supply of available warehouse space in Sonoma County.  Vacancy rates at a comparable warehouse facility, Santa Rosa Airport, are currently 9.6% and available square footage is 198,273.  The Company’s vacancy rate of 11.2% at our North Property and 3.2% at our South Property compare favorably to the Sonoma County vacancy rate of 14.4%.  Obtaining new tenants for our properties generally requires a tenant to relocate from an existing rental property of a competitor.  The Company believes that its North property enjoys a competitive advantage over other similarly situated properties with respect to certain kinds of potential tenants because of the wastewater treatment facility located on the property, which is well suited for tenants involved in the food processing industry and more particularly, the wine processing industry.  The Company believes that its rental rates for both of its North and South properties are competitively priced relative to comparable property on the market.  Some of the Company’s competitors enjoy the advantage that their properties are newer than the Company’s properties.  The Company generally competes on the basis of location, price, service and tenant improvements, including the North property’s wastewater treatment facility.
 
Environmental Matters
 
The Company believes it has complied in all material respects with all material governmental regulations regarding protection of the environment.  In connection with the renewal of its wastewater permit (issued by the State of California), the Company was required to modify its wastewater system to separate domestic waste from its processed wastewater.  As a result, the Company has made changes to comply with these regulations and has incurred related capital expenditures of $173,000 for the entire project, which was completed in September 2005.  On September 18, 2007, the Company received closure for the site investigation and remedial action of a former underground storage tank, which resulted in no additional costs. All expenses related to these contaminates were reimbursed by the State of California’s Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund.  In addition to these capital expenditures, the Company could be held liable for the costs of removal or remediation of any hazardous or toxic substances, if any that might be located on or in its properties in the future.  These laws often impose such liability without regard to whether the owner knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of the hazardous or toxic substances.  The presence of such substances or the failure to remediate such substances properly, may adversely affect the owner’s ability to sell or rent the property or to borrow money using the property as collateral.  Other federal and state laws require the removal of damaged material containing asbestos in the event of remodeling or renovation.
 
Insurance
 
The Company maintains workers compensation, commercial general liability, property, extended coverage and rental loss insurance.  While management feels the limits and coverage are adequate relative to the related risks, there is no assurance that this insurance will be adequate to protect the Company from all unforeseen occurrences.
 
Employees
 
The Company currently employs two part-time and four full-time employees in a management or staff capacity, none of whom is covered under a collective bargaining agreement.

 
8

 
Item 1A:  Risk Factors
 
In evaluating the Company and its business, the following risk factors should be given careful consideration, in addition to the information mentioned elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Factors Related to Real Estate Industry Segment.
 
Our properties success depends upon the Northern California and particularly the Sonoma County economy.
 
Our entire rental revenues come from two properties located in Northern California and more particularly, Sonoma County.  Events and conditions applicable to owners and operators of real property that are beyond our control may decrease the value of our properties.  These events include: local oversupply or reduction in demand for office, industrial or other commercial space; inability to collect rent from tenants; vacancies or inability to rent spaces on favorable terms; inability to finance property development on favorable terms; increased operating costs, including insurance premiums, utilities, and real estate taxes; costs of complying with changes in governmental regulations; the relative illiquidity of real estate investments; changing sub-market demographics; and property damage resulting from seismic activity.  The geographical concentration of our properties may expose us to greater economic risks than if we owned properties in several geographic regions.  Any adverse economic or real estate developments in the Sonoma County region could adversely impact our financial condition, results from operations, cash flows, quoted per share trading price of our common stock and ability to satisfy any debt service obligations. There is no assurance, in the near future, that the market will significantly improve, or not suffer a decline.
 
Potential losses may not be covered by insurance.
 
We carry commercial general liability, property, extended coverage and rental loss insurance covering all of our properties.  Management believes the policy specifications and insured limits are appropriate given the relative risk of loss, the cost of the coverage and industry practice.  We do not carry earthquake coverage.  We do not carry insurance for generally uninsurable losses such as pollution, contamination, asbestos and seepage.  Some of our policies are subject to limitations involving large deductibles or co-payments and policy limits.  If we experience a loss that is uninsured or that exceeds policy limits, we could lose the capital invested in the damaged properties as well as the anticipated future cash flows from those properties.  In addition, if the damaged properties were subject to any recourse indebtedness, we would continue to be liable for the indebtedness, even if the properties were irreparable.

The current financial crisis may have impacts on our business and financial condition that we cannot predict.

The continued credit crisis and turmoil in the global financial system may continue to have an impact on our business and financial condition, and we may continue to face challenges if conditions in the financial markets do not improve. We believe we have developed an operating and capital budget for fiscal year 2010 that will allow us to fund our business with anticipated internally generated cash flow and available cash resources. Our ability to access the capital markets, however, has been restricted as a result of this crisis and may be restricted in the future when we would like, or need, to raise capital. The financial crisis may also adversely impact our business, operating results and financial condition.

 
9

 
Downturns in tenants’ businesses may reduce our cash flow.
 
For the year ended June 30, 2009, we derived 100% of our operating revenue from rental income and tenant reimbursements.  Given current economic conditions, we expect that some of our tenants will experience a downturn in their businesses, which in some cases may be significant. Significant downturns may weaken our tenants’ financial condition, and potentially result in the failure to make timely rental payments to the Company.  In the event of a default by a tenant, the Company would likely experience loss of revenue and delays in enforcing the Company's rights as landlord.  The bankruptcy or insolvency of a major tenant may further adversely affect the income produced by the Company's properties.  Although we have not experienced material losses from tenant bankruptcies, tenants could file for bankruptcy protection in the future. Moreover, certain of the Company’s tenants are currently experiencing financial difficulties, as discussed further in Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Any losses resulting from lease defaults or the insolvency or bankruptcy of any of the Company's tenants could adversely impact the Company's financial condition, results from operations, cash flow and the per share trading price of its common stock.
 
We may be unable to renew leases or re-let space as leases expire.
 
As of June 30, 2009, not taking into account month-to-month leases (which comprise approximately 3.25% of our total leased space), leases representing approximately 8% and 6% of the square footage of our properties will expire in 2010 and 2011, respectively.  If leases expire with then-above market rental rates we may be forced to renew or re-lease such expiring leases at rates below the existing rental rates.  We cannot give any assurance that leases will be renewed or that our properties will be re-leased at rental rates equal to or above the current rental rates.  If the rental rates for our properties decrease, if existing tenants do not renew their leases, or if we do not re-lease a significant portion of our available space, our financial position, results of operations, cash flow and quoted per share trading price of our common stock would be adversely affected.
 
Our real estate holdings could subject us to potential environmental liability.
 
We could be held liable for the costs of removal or remediation of any hazardous or toxic substances located on or in our properties. These laws often impose such liability without regard to whether the owner knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of the hazardous or toxic substances.  The presence of such substances, or the failure to remediate such substances properly, may adversely affect our ability to sell or rent the property or to borrow using the property as collateral.  Other federal and state laws require the removal of damaged material containing asbestos in the event of remodeling or renovation.
 
We rely on three major tenants for a significant portion of our rental revenues.

Vinovation, Inc. accounted for 13% and 12% of the Company’s rental revenues for the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. On January 24, 2006, Vinovation Inc. entered into a 39 month lease, beginning June 1, 2008, covering 52,601 square feet of warehouse space with annual Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) increases provided for in the lease. The loss of the Vinovation, Inc. when their lease expires September 30, 2011, if not renewed or replaced, would have a material adverse effect on our operating results.  At June 30, 2009 and 2008, all rental amounts owed by Vinovation, Inc. were payable within the normal billing cycle and were not past due.  As of September 28, 2009, Vinovation owed $35,000 in past due utility reimbursements and security deposits. The Company and Vinovation agreed to apply $46,000 of the existing Vinovation security deposit to satisfy Vinovation’s portion of wastewater improvement costs. Vinovation has agreed to replenish the security deposit within one year.


 
10

 

     Sonoma Wine Company accounted for 13% and 11% of the Company’s rental revenues for the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. As of September 1, 2007, Sonoma Wine Company entered into a five-year lease covering 54,244 square feet of warehouse space, with annual CPI and Excess Operating Expense (“EOE”) increases provided for in the lease.    The loss of the Sonoma Wine Company when their lease expires August 31, 2012, if not renewed or replaced, would have a material adverse effect on our operating results.  At June 30, 2009, all rental amounts owed by Sonoma Wine Company were payable within the normal billing cycle and were not past due.
 
        Greg & Greg, Inc. Winery accounted for 12% and 12% of the Company’s rental revenues for the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. On June 8, 2008, Greg & Greg, Inc. Winery entered into a 5 year lease covering 37,951 square feet of warehouse space and 7,361 of outside space with annual CPI and EOE increases provided for in the lease.  The loss of Greg & Greg, Inc. Winery when their lease expires on August 15, 2013, if not renewed or replaced, would have a material adverse effect on our operating results.  At June 30, 2009 and 2008, all rental amounts owed by Greg & Greg, Inc. Winery were payable within the normal billing cycle and were not past due.

The following table sets forth the Company’s major tenants whose rental payments exceed 10% of the Company’s leasing segment revenues:


 
Tenant
 
2009
   
2008
 
Vinovation, Inc
  $ 402,000     $ 339,000  
Sonoma Wine Company
    389,000       309,000  
Greg & Greg Inc. Winery
    374,000       347,000  
    $ 1,165,000     $ 995,000  
 
During the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, 70% and 64%, respectively, of the Company’s revenues were associated with the wine industry.
 
Compliance with new regulations governing public company corporate governance and reporting will result in additional costs.
 
Our continuing preparation for and implementation of various corporate governance reforms and enhanced disclosure laws and regulations adopted in recent years requires us to incur significant additional accounting and legal costs.  We, like other public companies, are preparing for new accounting practices and procedures required by laws and regulations adopted in connection with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  Beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, the Company’s auditors will provide an annual report on our internal control over financial reporting and auditors’ attestation with respect to our report required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  Any unanticipated difficulties in preparing for and implementing these and other corporate governance and reporting reforms could result in material delays in compliance or significantly increase our costs.  Also, there can be no assurance that we will be able to fully comply with these new laws and regulations.  Any failure to timely prepare for and implement the reforms required by these new laws and regulations could significantly harm our business, operating results, and financial condition.
 
Factors Relating to Our Stock
 
Our stock price is volatile and our stock is thinly traded, sometimes resulting in a lack of liquidity.
 
Our stock price has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations.  For example, during fiscal 2009, the high and low sales price for the common stock was $9.30 and $4.10, respectively.  Since becoming a public company, our stock price has fluctuated in conjunction with the stock markets generally and sometimes on matters more specific to the Company, such as the public offering of MetroPCS and the Company’s distribution of its MetroPCS shares to its shareholders.  Our stock price may be expected to continue to experience significant price and volume fluctuations in response to factors specific to the Company.

 
11

 
 
The common stock is currently trading on the over-the-counter “Pink Sheets,” which is generally a less liquid market.  Continued trading on the Pink Sheets could reduce the liquidity of our common stock, cause certain investors not to trade in our common stock and result in a lower stock price.
 
The daily trading volume in our common stock is typically very low.  As a result, sales of a significant number of shares into the public markets may negatively affect our stock price, and there can be no assurance that an investor will be able to purchase or sell shares of our common stock at the times they desire or at all.
 
Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments
 
None.
 
Item 3.  Legal Proceedings
 
The Company is not a party to any material legal proceedings.
 
Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.
 
PART II
 
Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company’s common stock was traded on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market (symbol:  SWHI) until August 10, 2005, when the common stock was delisted from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market, and began trading on the over-the-counter “Pink Sheets” under the symbol “SWHI.PK.”

The quarterly high and low sales prices for the last two fiscal years were as follows:

 
Quarter Ending
 
Low
 
High
Adj
Close*
9/30/2007
$     20.00
$   29.80
$   3.77
12/31/2007
$     13.00
$   21.25
$   3.26
3/31/2008
$       5.50
$   19.50
$   8.00
6/30/2008
$       5.00
$     8.00
$   7.00
9/30/2008
$       4.10
$     8.80
$   9.30
12/31/2008
$       5.95
$     9.30
$   6.00
3/31/2009
$       5.10
$     6.25
$   5.15
6/30/2009
$       5.15
$     9.15
$   6.10
* Closing price adjusted for dividends
 
 
The above quotations were obtained from the Yahoo Finance Online website.
 
         On September 24, 2009, there were approximately 348 registered holders of our common stock.  On that date, the average of the high and low sales price per share of the Company’s stock was $7.20.

 
12

 

Dividends

The Company paid dividends on its common stock in the form of shares of MetroPCS common stock in January 2008 valued at $14,702,000, and had distributed the remainder of its MetroPCS shares to its shareholders on August 18, 2008, valued at $2,648,000. The Company has not paid any cash dividends on its common stock during the past two years.  The Company's $2,500,000 loan with Wachovia Bank, described further in "Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" does not materially restrict the Company's ability to pay dividends.  However, our ability to pay dividends is also subject to limits imposed by Delaware law.  Even if its future operations or investments result in increased profitability, as to which there can be no assurance, there is no present anticipation that future dividends will be paid.
 
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
 
None.
 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
The Company did not repurchase any of its registered securities during the last quarter of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
The Company’s equity plan information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.
 
Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation
 
OVERVIEW
 
The Company’s business consists of its real estate management and rental operations. The management of the company believes that leasing activity at the Company’s North and South properties has been impacted as a result of current economic conditions.  The Company’s rental operations include industrial/agricultural property, some of which was formerly used in its discontinued fruit processing businesses.  This commercial property is now being rented to third parties.  The Company’s primary business revenue is generated from the leasing of its two properties, located in Sebastopol, California.

The properties are leased to multiple tenants with leases varying in length from month-to-month to leases with expiration dates through 2023.  Revenue from lease rental is recognized on a monthly basis, based upon the dollar amount specified in the related lease.  The Company requires that all tenants be covered by a lease.  The Company does not have leases that include provisions that require the lessee to pay the lessor any additional rent based upon the lessee’s sales or any other financial performance measures.  The Company has no tenant related reimbursements that are not part of tenant lease agreements.

 
13

 

Given current economic conditions, we expect that some of our tenants will experience a downturn in their businesses, which in some cases may be significant. Significant downturns may weaken our tenants’ financial condition, and potentially result in the failure to make timely rental payments to the Company.  At June 30, 2009, the Company had 3% vacancy at the South property and 11.2% vacancy at the North property. Vacancy rates at a complimentary warehouse facility, Santa Rosa Airport, are currently 9.6% and available square footage is 198,273.  Currently the Sonoma County vacancy rate is 14.4% which compares favorably to the Company’s vacancy rate. Given current economic conditions and decreased leasing activity, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to fill the current vacant space on acceptable terms, or at all, and there can be no assurance than tenants will continue to make their rental payments in a timely manner.  In the event of a default by a tenant, the Company would likely experience loss of revenue and delays in enforcing the Company's rights as landlord.  The bankruptcy or insolvency of a major tenant may further adversely affect the income produced by the Company's properties.  Any losses resulting from lease defaults or the insolvency or bankruptcy of any of the Company's tenants could adversely impact the Company's financial condition, results from operations, cash flow and the per share trading price of its common stock.

During February 2009, the Company received information that a receivership had been appointed for one of our tenants.  The total space leased by the tenant is 29,000 square feet, and the attributable rent is $22,000 a month. The tenant presently subleases 11,626 square feet of its leased space to an unaffiliated third party at a monthly rent of $8,770.  As of June 30, 2009, the tenant remained in receivership and all rent had been paid. On July 24, 2009, the Company received notification that the receivership estate will no longer be making future rental payments, although payments continued to be received from the receivership for rents through September.  The Company received a verbal update on September 24, 2009, that indicated that the receiver is being released as of September 25, 2009.  The exact economic impact of our tenant’s situation on the Company is currently unknown, though the Company intends to pursue all available remedies at law or in equity in respect of any default.

As of June 30, 2009, the Company was owed $12,888 in past due rent from a tenant, such amount representing less than 1% of the Company’s total annual rental income and 10,400 square feet of covered roof space, and as of the date of this report, the tenant is $22,800 in arrears.  While the Company has entered into an oral agreement with the tenant and expects to receive the full amount of the delinquent rent,  there is no assurance that such amount will be received and the Company continues to monitor this tenant and intends to pursue all available legal remedies to collect any past due rent.   Additional tenants in default, as of the date of this report, include Vinovation which owed $35,000 in past due utility reimbursements and security deposits.  The Company and Vinovation agreed to apply $46,000 of the existing Vinovation security deposit to satisfy Vinovation’s portion of wastewater improvement costs. Vinovation has agreed to replenish the security deposit within one year.


 
14

 

In connection with MetroPCS’s initial public offering on April 19, 2007, the Company’s shares of Series D Preferred Stock were converted into 993,297 shares of common stock. MetroPCS began trading its stock on the open market April 19, 2007, at which point the Company was able to determine the fair value of its investment in MetroPCS. Prior to this date, the fair value of the MetroPCS investment could not be readily determined and thus had been accounted for at cost. As of June 30, 2008, the Company classified the investment as “available-for-sale,” and accounted for its investment at fair value.  Per Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, the increase in value from cost to fair value was reflected as an increase in shareholders’ equity net of the tax effect, and was not reflected on the Statement of Income.

On December 20, 2007, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of 842,316 shares of MetroPCS, subsequently amended to 842,348 shares, payable pro rata to its shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 24, 2007, due and payable at the close of business on January 3, 2008. At the time, the Company recorded a realized gain of $12,666,000 from the transaction.  On January 11, 2008, the Company announced that it was notified by NASDAQ that the ex-dividend date was to be January 11, 2008.  As a result of the NASDAQ ex-dividend date being set as January 11, 2008, the dividend may not have been received by some shareholders who traded during the period between January 4, 2008 and January 10, 2008.  The Company had analyzed the trading activity during that period and has estimated the maximum exposure related to this matter to be $314,000. As of June 30, 2009, $279,000 has been paid to shareholders who have made substantiated claims and $35,000 has been accrued as dividend claims payable.  The Company has been indemnified by a third-party service provider for such claims and does not expect to incur any material net expense related to such claims.  Following the payment of the dividend, the Company held 150,949 shares of MetroPCS common stock with a fair value of $2,673,000 as of June 30, 2008, which was included on the balance sheet as of June 30, 2008.  The net unrealized gain of $1,389,000 ($2,308,000 less the deferred tax liability of $919,000) which resulted from increasing the value from cost to fair value for the year ended June 30, 2008 was included on the Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity.
 
On July 15, 2008, the Company declared a dividend of the remaining 150,943 shares of MetroPCS common stock, any shares held back were for rounding purposes only and subsequently sold, payable pro rata to its shareholders of record of common stock as of the close of business on July 28, 2008, due and payable at the close of business on August 18, 2008. As of June 30, 2009, the Company no longer held any shares of MetroPCS.

In May 2008, the Company obtained a $2,500,000 loan from Wachovia Bank (the “Loan”), to help cover the tax liability incurred as a result of the dividend distribution of the MetroPCS stock to the Company shareholders. The Loan is evidenced by a three-year promissory note, made by the Company in favor of Wachovia and bearing interest at the rate of LIBOR plus 2.25% per annum. The interest rate was 2.56% at June 30, 2009.  The Loan matures on May 1, 2011, prior to which, the Company is obligated to make monthly payments of accrued interest only.  The Loan is secured by the Company's North property pursuant to the Deed of Trust.  The Loan and the Deed of Trust contain standard continuing covenants and agreements.  In connection with the Loan, the Company also entered into an Environmental Indemnity Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2008, pursuant to which the Company agreed, among other things, to indemnify Wachovia and its assignees against any liabilities arising from or out of (i) certain violation of environmental laws and regulations applicable to the North property, (ii) the presence on the North property of certain hazardous materials, and (iii) any breach by the Company of any representation or warranty made in the Environmental Indemnity Agreement, to the extent applicable.

 
15

 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Fiscal 2009 Compared To Fiscal 2008
 
Rental Revenue. The Company leases warehouse, production, and office space, as well as outside storage space at both of its properties.  The two properties have a combined leasable area of approximately 438,795 square feet (378,296 ft. under roof and 60,499 ft. outside) on 91.24 acres of land.  As of the end of fiscal 2009, there were 32 tenants with leases covering 403,409 square feet of leasable space (342,910 ft. under roof and 60,499 ft. outside) or 91.9% of the total leasable area.  As of the end of fiscal 2008, there were 32 tenants with leases covering 429,768 square feet of leasable space (375,830 ft. under roof and 53,938 ft. outside) or 100% of the total leasable area.  Leasable area changes result from areas that are removed from common area and rented or found not to be rentable. Fiscal 2009 rental revenue increased $207,000 or 7% from $2,769,000 in fiscal 2008 to $2,976,000 in fiscal 2009. The increase in rental revenue by current and new tenants, at higher rental rates, accounted for the increase in the revenue between fiscal years.  The decrease in occupancy under roof can be attributed to the expiration of leases that were not renewed.  While the Company continues to market the properties to prospective tenants to occupy leases that expire during the next year, there can be no assurance that tenants will be found in a timely manner or at acceptable rental rates; the failure to renew or replace expiring leases would then negatively impact the Company’s revenue.

      Tenant Reimbursements.  Reimbursements received from tenants of certain costs are recognized as tenant reimbursement revenues.  For the fiscal year 2009, tenant reimbursements increased $150,000, from $528,000 to $678,000 or 28% as compared to fiscal year 2008, utility reimbursements increased $56,000 and water usage reimbursements increased $30,000. Other reimbursements increased $64,000, $54,000 of which was a reimbursement for improvements to the wastewater system and $10,000 from insurance and rebate reimbursements.  Such reimbursements related primarily to the increase of energy and water consumption by tenants as their processing needs increase or decrease.  The Company receives monthly bills from its utility provider for tenant expenses. The Company makes the payments directly to the utility provider on behalf of the tenants, and submits an invoice to the tenants for reimbursement. Such reimbursements are provided for in the terms of the tenants' lease agreements with the Company. While utility reimbursements levels may decrease and there may be a downward pressure on revenues, the Company would also have an equal amount of reduction of expenses, thus creating no effect to net income.

        Operating Costs.  Total operating costs consist of direct costs related to operations and all general corporate costs.  Fiscal 2009 total operating costs of $2,740,000 increased $26,000, or 1%, from $2,714,000 in fiscal 2008.  Of this increase, operating costs increased $20,000 and operating costs-related party increased $6,000.  The increase of $20,000 in operating costs was primarily the result of the following increases: incentive bonus of $54,000 to Walker R. Stapleton as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Special Committee and legal costs of $62,000 for an abandoned tender offer, payroll and related expenses of $61,000 primarily related to the employee 401(k) plan adopted in April 2008, increased utilities of $59,000, primarily due to the increase in production activities of our tenants at both facilities, bad debt accrual of $19,000, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance consultant fees of $15,000, loan fees of $13,000 and various miscellaneous increases of $5,000.  These were offset by the following decreases: non-cash stock compensation of $64,000, various accounting and tax fees of $43,000, repairs and maintenance by a total of $32,000, primarily related to a reduced level of roofing and structural expenses, a reduction in legal fees of $28,000, facility water system costs of $26,000, depreciation of $22,000, Delaware Franchise tax of $19,000, reduction of insurance premiums of $18,000 and reduced real estate incentive compensation of $16,000.  The Company continues to closely scrutinize all discretionary spending as efforts to reduce and/or maintain expenses continue to be an important management focus. Total operating expenses are expected to remain relatively consistent over the remainder of calendar year 2009.

 
16

 

        The increase of $6,000 in operating costs—related party was primarily a result of real estate consulting fees, primarily related to consulting regarding the upgraded wastewater system, payable to one of the members of our Board of Directors, David Bugatto.
 
Interest Income.  In fiscal 2009 the Company generated $10,000 of interest income on its cash balances as compared to $153,000 during fiscal year 2008.  The decrease in interest income is related to the reduction of cash in the account, which was used to pay taxes on the dividend distribution, and the overall reduction of interest rates.

Interest Expense.  Interest expense consists primarily of interest expense on debt.  For fiscal 2009, the Company incurred $104,000 of interest expense.  This compares to $28,000 in fiscal 2008.  The increase is the result of the length of time the Loan from Wachovia Bank was outstanding which was for two months in fiscal 2008 versus twelve months in 2009.
 
       Income Taxes.  The Company’s tax provision was $1,232,000 in fiscal 2009 compared to $5,383,000 in fiscal 2008.  The 2008 tax provision was higher than fiscal 2009 primarily due to the income taxes associated with the gain on distribution of MetroPCS shares. The 2008 gain of $12,666,000 was $10,382,0000 higher than fiscal 2009 gain of $2,284,000.
 
Fiscal 2008 Compared To Fiscal 2007
 
Rental Revenue. The Company leases warehouse, production, and office space, as well as outside storage space at both of its properties.  The two properties have a combined leasable area of approximately 429,768 square feet (375,830 ft. under roof and 53,938 ft. outside) on 91.24 acres of land.  As of the end of fiscal 2008, there were 32 tenants with leases covering 429,768 square feet of leasable space (375,830 ft. under roof and 53,938 ft. outside) or 100% of the total leasable area.  As of the end of fiscal 2007, there were 33 tenants with leases that comprised 429,834 square feet of leasable space (369,316 ft. under roof and 60,518 ft. outside) or 99% of the total leasable area of  435,734 square feet (375,216 ft. under roof and 60,518 ft. outside). Leasable area changes result from areas that are removed from common area and rented or found not to be rentable. Fiscal 2008 rental revenue increased $224,000 or 9% from $2,545,000 in fiscal 2007, to $2,769,000 in fiscal 2008. The increase in occupancy under roof by current and new tenants, at higher rental rates, accounted for the increase in the revenue between fiscal years.
 
Tenant Reimbursements.  Reimbursements received from tenants of certain costs are recognized as tenant reimbursement revenues.  For the fiscal year 2008, tenant reimbursements decreased $173,000, from $701,000 to $528,000 or 25% as compared to fiscal year 2007, utilities decreased $156,000, water usage decreased $10,000 and other tenant reimbursements decreased $7,000.  Such reimbursements related primarily to the decrease in occupancy by manufacturing tenants with an increase in storage tenants, which resulted in less energy and water consumption by tenants.  The Company’s costs for such items are passed along to the tenants at the Company’s cost.

Operating Costs.  Total operating costs consist of direct costs related to operations and all general corporate costs.  Fiscal 2008 total operating costs of $2,714,000 decreased $25,000, or less than 1%, from $2,739,000 in fiscal 2007.  Of this decrease, operating costs increased $28,000 and operating costs-related party decreased $53,000.  The increase of $28,000 in operating costs was primarily the result of the following increases: incentive bonus of $7,000, salary and related payroll expenses of $105,000 to Walker R. Stapleton as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, facility water system costs of $56,000, various accounting fees of $52,000, legal fees of $26,000, Board of Director Fees of $19,000, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance consultant fees of $19,000, real estate incentive compensation of $22,000, payroll and related expenses of $31,000 primarily related to the employee 401(k) plan adopted in April 2008 and various miscellaneous increases of $47,000. These were offset by the following decreases: utility expenses of $145,000 primarily due to the reduction of processing on the North property, repairs and maintenance by a total of $72,000, primarily related to a reduced level of roofing expenses, non-cash stock compensation of $53,000, depreciation of $19,000, loan fees of $19,000 and decreased Delaware Franchise tax of $48,000.  The Company continues to closely scrutinize all discretionary spending as efforts to reduce and/or maintain expenses continue to be an important management focus.

 
17

 
The decrease of $53,000 in operating costs—related party was primarily a result of decreases in related party real estate consulting costs ($53,000) relating to the June 2008 consulting agreement with a member of our Board of Directors.
 
Interest Income.  In fiscal 2008 and 2007, the Company generated $153,000 of interest income on its cash balances.

Interest Expense.  Interest expense consists primarily of interest expense on mortgage debt.  For fiscal 2008, the Company incurred $28,000 of interest expense.  This compares to $7,000 in fiscal 2007.  The increase is related to interest expense on the Company’s $2,500,000 term loan obtained in May 2008.
 
Income Taxes.  The Company’s tax provision was $5,383,000 in fiscal 2008 compared to $206,000 in fiscal 2007.  The 2008 tax provision was higher than fiscal 2007 primarily because of the income taxes associated with the gain on distribution of MetroPCS shares in the amount of $12,666,000.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
The Company had cash and cash equivalents of $1,830,000 at June 30, 2009, and long-term debt of $2,500,000.  The decrease in the cash balance of $774,000, from $2,604,000 at June 30, 2008, was primarily the result of cash used in operating activities of $642,000, and capital expenditures of $186,000.  This decrease was partly offset by the receipt of proceeds from exercise of stock options for $65,000 less the tax benefit of $11,000.  Management believes its cash and cash equivalents and cash expected to be generated by its business activities will be sufficient to meet its working capital needs for at least the next twelve months.
 
In May 2008, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement with Wachovia Bank for $2,500,000.  The loan bears interest at the LIBOR plus 2.25%, with accrued monthly interest payments only.  The interest rate was 2.56% as of June 30, 2009.  Principal and interest is due on the maturity date of May 1, 2011.  The Note is secured by a first deed of trust on the Company’s North property located at 2064 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, California.   Under this Loan Agreement the Company is required to meet certain financial covenants; as of June 30, 2009 the Company was in compliance with such covenants.
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which require the Company to make estimates and assumptions.  The Company believes that of its significant accounting policies (see Note 1 to the financial statements); the most critical accounting policies were determined to be related to:
 
Valuation of Investments Securities – In connection with the MetroPCS initial public offering on April 19, 2007, the Company’s shares of Series D Preferred Stock were converted into 993,297 shares of MetroPCS common stock.  As part of the initial public offering, the Company agreed to a 180-day lockup on its shares. The Company classified the investment as available-for-sale and carried it at fair value. Net unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities, if material, are reported as a component of other comprehensive income in the Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity. The fair value of the investment in MetroPCS following the payment of the dividend in January 2008 as reflected in the balance sheet was $2,673,000 as of June 30, 2008. As of June 30, 2009, the Company no longer held any shares of MetroPCS.

 
18

 
Stock-Based Compensation – In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, under the fair value recognition provisions of this statement, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized as expense over the vesting period. Determining the fair value of share-based awards at the grant date requires judgment, including estimating expected dividends. In addition, judgment is also required in estimating the amount of share-based awards that are expected to be forfeited. If actual results differ significantly from these estimates, stock-based compensation expense and our results of operations could be materially impacted.
 
Income Taxes – The Company records income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes.  SFAS No. 109 requires the Company to compute deferred taxes based upon the amount of taxes payable in future years after considering changes in tax rates and other statutory provisions that will be in effect in those years. Deferred taxes are recorded based upon differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities and available tax credit carryforwards.  A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets, if their realization is uncertain.
 
Revenue Recognition – Revenue is recognized on a monthly basis, based upon the dollar amount specified in the related lease.  The Company requires that all tenants be covered by a lease.  The Company does not have leases that include provisions that require the lessee to pay the lessor any additional rent based upon the lessee’s sales or any other financial performance levels.  Reimbursements of certain costs received from tenants are recognized as tenant reimbursement revenues.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
   
        In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure of fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements and accordingly, does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 was effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008 and had no material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

    In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157. FSP No. 157-2 permits a one-year deferral in applying the measurement provisions of SFAS No. 157 to non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value in an entity’s financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The adoption of FSP No. 157-2 did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

    In February 2008, FASB issued FSP No. 157-1, which amends SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, to exclude SFAS No. 13, Accounting for Leases, and other accounting pronouncements that address fair value measurements for purposes of lease classification or measurement under Statement 13 .  However, this scope exception does not apply to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that are required to be measured at fair value under FASB Statement No. 141,  Business Combinations,  or No. 141 (revised 2007),  Business Combinations,  regardless of whether those assets and liabilities are related to leases.  The adoption of FSP No. 157-1 did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
 
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  Early adoption is permitted in certain circumstances provided that the entity also elects to adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements.  SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value.  The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. The adoption of SFAS No. 159 did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

 
19

 

In May 2009, FASB issued SFAS No. 165, Subsequent Events. SFAS No. 165 establishes general standards of accounting for disclosing events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. It requires the disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and the basis for selecting that date, that is, whether that date represents the date the financial statements were issued or were available to be issued. SFAS No. 165 is effective for interim or annual financial periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company adopted SFAS No. 165 effective June 30, 2009.

    Management does not believe that any other issued, but not yet effective accounting pronouncements, if adopted, would have a material effect on the accompanying financial statements.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.


 
20

 

 
Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
SONOMAWEST HOLDINGS, INC.
 
INDEX
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
22
Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2009 and 2008
23
Statements of Income for the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008
24
Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008.
 
25
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008
26
Notes to Financial Statements
28
Schedule II.  Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
44
Schedule III. Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
45
 


 
21

 


 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Directors and
 
Shareholders of SonomaWest Holdings, Inc.:
 
 
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of SonomaWest Holdings, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) as of June 30, 2009 and 2008 and the related statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for the years then ended.  In connection with our audits of the financial statements, we have also audited the financial statement schedules, listed in the accompanying index.  These financial statements and schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedules based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and schedules. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of SonomaWest Holdings, Inc. at June 30, 2009 and 2008, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
Also, in our opinion, the financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
 
/s/ MACIAS GINI & O’CONNELL LLP
 
Sacramento, California
 
September 28, 2009


 
22

 

 SONOMAWEST HOLDINGS, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF JUNE 30, 2009 AND 2008
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 

ASSETS
 
June 30, 2009
   
June 30, 2008
 
CURRENT ASSETS:
 
 
   
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 1,830     $ 2,554  
    Restricted cash and cash equivalents
    -       50  
    Marketable securities
    -       2,673  
    Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of       $19 and $0, respectively.
    41       9  
Other receivables
    9       7  
Dividend claims receivable
    35       49  
Prepaid income taxes
    23       47  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    151       145  
Deferred income taxes, net
    118       -  
Total current assets
    2,207       5,534  
RENTAL PROPERTY, net
    1,068       1,054  
        DEFERRED INCOME TAXES, net
    245       248  
        PREPAID COMMISSIONS AND OTHER ASSETS
    184       246  
Total assets
  $ 3,704     $ 7,082  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 42     $ 119  
Dividend claims payable
    35       49  
Accrued payroll and related liabilities
    313       243  
Income taxes payable
    -       509  
Accrued expenses
    6       123  
Unearned rents
    66       136  
Tenant deposits
    415       470  
Deferred income taxes, net
    -       495  
Total current liabilities
    877       2,144  
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities
    2,500       2,500  
Total liabilities
    3,377       4,644  
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
Preferred stock: 2,500 shares authorized; no shares issued andoutstanding
    -       -  
Common stock: 5,000 shares authorized, par value of 0.0001; 1,251 and 1,241 shares 
           and  outstanding at June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2008, respectively
    -       -  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    -       1,389  
Retained earnings
    327       1,049  
Total shareholders’ equity
    327       2,438  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 3,704     $ 7,082  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 
23

 

SONOMAWEST HOLDINGS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2009 AND 2008
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 

 
 
2009
   
2008
 
RENTAL REVENUE -NET
  $ 2,976     $ 2,769  
TENANT REIMBURSEMENTS
    678       528  
TOTAL REVENUE
    3,654       3,297  
 
               
OPERATING COSTS
    2,724       2,704  
OPERATING COSTS - RELATED PARTY EXPENSES
    16       10  
TOTAL OPERATING COSTS
    2,740       2,714  
OPERATING INCOME
    914       583  
 
               
INTEREST EXPENSE
    (104 )     (28 )
INTEREST INCOME
    10       153  
GAIN ON DISTRIBUTION OF INVESTMENTS
    2,284       12,666  
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX PROVISION
    3,104       13,374  
INCOME TAX PROVISION
    1,232       5,383  
NET INCOME
  $ 1,872     $ 7,991  
 
               
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARESOUTSTANDING:
               
Basic
    1,251       1,216  
Diluted
    1,251       1,228  
 
               
INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic
  $ 1.50     $ 6.57  
Diluted
  $ 1.50     $ 6.51  
 

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 
24

 

 
SONOMAWEST HOLDINGS, INC.
 
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
FOR THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2009 and 2008
 
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
 

   
Common Stock
                   
   
Number
   
Amount
   
Accumulated
Other
         
Total
 
   
Of
   
Comprehensive
   
Retained
   
Shareholders’
 
   
Shares
   
Income
   
Earnings
   
Equity
 
 
BALANCE, JUNE 30, 2007
    1,188     $ 3,625     $ 18,301     $ 3,454     $ 25,380  
                                         
Comprehensive income:
                                       
Net income
    -       -       -       7,991       7,991  
Net change in unrealized gains (loss), net of tax
                    (16,912 )             (16,912 )
        Total comprehensive loss
                                    (8,921 )
Property dividend
    -       (4,306 )     -       (10,396 )     (14,702 )
Stock compensation expense
    -       64       -       -       64  
Exercise of stock options
    53       540       -       -       540  
Tax benefit on exercise of options
    -       77       -       -       77  
 
BALANCE, JUNE 30, 2008
    1,241        -        1,389        1,049        2,438  
Comprehensive income:
                                       
Net income
    -       -       -       1,872       1,872  
Net change in unrealized gains (loss), net of tax
                    (1,389 )             (1,389 )
 Total comprehensive  income
                                    483  
Property dividend
    -       (54 )     -       (2,594 )     (2,648 )
Exercise of stock options
    10       65       -       -       65  
Tax expense on exercise of options
    -       (11 )     -       -       (11 )
 
BALANCE, JUNE 30, 2009
    1,251     $ -     $ -     $ 327     $ 327  
 

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 
25

 

SONOMAWEST HOLDINGS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2009 AND 2008
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
 

   
2009
   
2008
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
   
 
 
Net income
  $ 1,872     $ 7,991  
Gain on distribution of investments
    (2,284 )     (12,666 )
Loss on retirement of equipment
    -       2  
Stock compensation expense
    -       64  
Depreciation and amortization expense
    172       193  
Deferred income tax benefit
    310       (356 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    (51 )     30  
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    19       -  
Other receivables
    (2 )     14  
Dividend claims receivable
    14       (49 )
Prepaid income taxes
    24       38  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    (6 )     9  
Prepaid commissions and other assets
    62       (79 )
Accounts payable
    (77 )     8  
Dividend claims payable
    (14 )     49  
Accrued payroll and related liabilities
    70       39  
Income taxes payable
    (509 )     509  
Accrued expenses
    (117 )     15  
Unearned rents
    (70 )     34  
Tenant deposits
    (55 )     94  
Net cash used in operating activities
    (642 )     (4,061 )
 
CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Capital expenditures
    (186 )     (39 )
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Proceeds from loan
    -       2,500  
Tax (expense) benefit from exercise of stock options
    (11 )     77  
Exercise of stock options
    65       540  
Net cash provided by financing activities
    54       3,117  
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
  $ (774 )   $ (983 )
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
    2,604       3,587  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
  $ 1,830     $ 2,604  

 
26

 


SONOMAWEST HOLDINGS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
 FOR THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2009 and 2008
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Interest paid
  $ 123     $ 4  
Taxes paid
  $ 1,418     $ 5,117  
                 

 
Noncash Financing Activities
Property dividend
  $ 2,648     $ 14,702  
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 


 


 
27

 

 
SONOMAWEST HOLDINGS, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
JUNE 30, 2009 and 2008
 
1.  
NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
 
SonomaWest Holdings, Inc., formerly Vacu-dry Company (“SonomaWest” or the “Company”) was incorporated in 1946 and currently operates as a real estate management and rental company.  The Company’s rental operations include industrial/agricultural property which is being rented to third parties.
 
Rental Property
 
Rental property is stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method based upon the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
Buildings and improvements
5 to 45 years
Machinery and office equipment
3 to 15 years
 
Rental property consists of the following as of June 30:
 
2009
   
2008
 
Land
$ 231,000     $ 231,000  
Buildings, machinery and improvements
  7,246,000       7,031,000  
Office equipment, manuals and autos
  97,000       95,000  
Construction in progress
  -       31,000  
Total rental property
  7,574,000       7,388,000  
Accumulated depreciation
  (6,506,000 )     (6,334,000 )
Net rental property
$ 1,068,000     $ 1,054,000  
 
Improvements that extend the life of the asset are capitalized; other maintenance and repairs are expensed.  The cost of maintenance and repairs was $42,000 in 2009 and $74,000 in 2008.  During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, the Company disposed of assets totaling $72,000 with depreciation of $70,000 creating a $2,000 loss.  During the fiscal year ended June 2009, the Company did not dispose of rental property assets.
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
The Company reviews long-lived assets whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be fully recoverable.  The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets by measuring the carrying amount of the assets against the estimated undiscounted cash flows associated with these assets.  At the time such evaluations indicate that the future undiscounted cash flows of certain long-lived assets are not sufficient to recover the assets’ carrying value, the assets are adjusted to their fair values. As of June 30, 2009, the Company determined that there was no impairment of long-lived assets.

 
28

 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
For the purpose of the statement of cash flows and balance sheet, the Company considers any highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  At times, cash balances may be in excess of FDIC insurance limits.  The Company has not experienced any losses with respect to bank balances in excess of government provided insurance.  At June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company held $1,660,000 and $2,530,000, respectively, in bank balances in excess of the insurance limits.
 
Marketable Securities
 
The Company’s investments in marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale securities and are carried at fair value. Net unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities, if material, are reported as a component of other comprehensive income.  Gain or loss on sale of investment securities is based on the specific identification method.  Marketable securities are written down to fair value when a decline in fair value is other than temporary. As of June 30, 2009, the Company did not own any stock in MetroPCS.
 
Prepaid Commissions
 
The Company capitalizes rental commissions paid to real estate brokers and amortizes these commissions over the term of the lease.
 
Earnings Per Share Calculation
 
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed as net income divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is computed as net income divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding of common stock and common stock equivalents for the period, including the dilutive effects of stock options and other potentially dilutive securities. Common stock equivalents result from dilutive stock options computed using the treasury stock method. The effect of dilutive options on the weighted average number of shares for the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 were zero and 12,000, respectively.  The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 excluded 20,000 and zero stock options respectively.
 
Income Taxes
 
The Company records income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes.  SFAS No. 109 requires the Company to compute income taxes using an asset and liability approach, which includes computing deferred taxes based upon the amount of taxes payable in future years after considering changes in tax rates and other statutory provisions that will be in effect in those years.
 
Deferred taxes are recorded based upon differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities and available tax credit carryforwards.  A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets, if their realization is uncertain.

 
29

 
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Revenue is recognized on a monthly basis, based upon the dollar amount specified in the related lease.  The Company requires that all tenants be covered by a lease.  The Company does not have leases that include provisions that require the lessee to pay the lessor any additional rent based upon the lessee’s sales or any other financial performance levels.  Reimbursements of certain costs received from tenants are recognized as tenant reimbursement revenues.
 
Minimum Lease Income
 
The Company leases warehouse space that generated revenues of $2,976,000 in 2009 and $2,769,000 in 2008.  The leases have varying terms, which range from month-to-month to leases with expiration dates through 2023.  As of June 30, 2009, assuming none of the existing leases are renewed or no additional space is leased, and payment of rents in accordance with the lease terms, the following is the future minimum lease income:
 
Year Ending
June 30
     
2010
  $ 2,769,000  
2011
    2,626,000  
2012
    2,014,000  
2013
    1,225,000  
2014
    703,000  
Thereafter
    2,722,000  
Total
  $ 12,059,000  
 
Allowances for Doubtful Accounts
 
The Company makes judgments as to its ability to collect outstanding receivables and provide allowances for the portion of receivables when collection becomes doubtful. Provisions are made based upon a specific review of all outstanding invoices. Given current economic conditions, a reserve for doubtful accounts was considered necessary since the Company has been receiving late payments and tenants may begin defaulting on their rent payments. As of June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company had allowances of $19,000 and zero, respectively, for outstanding receivables.  The Company performs a credit review process on all prospective tenants.  The extent of the credit review is dependant on the dollar value of the lease.
 
Concentration of Credit Risk

Vinovation, Inc. accounted for 13% and 12% of the Company’s rental revenues for the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. On January 24, 2006, Vinovation Inc. entered into a 39 month lease beginning June 1, 2008, covering 52,601 square feet of warehouse space with annual Consumer Price Index increases provided for in the lease. The loss of the Vinovation, Inc. when their lease expires September 30, 2011, if not renewed or replaced, would have a material adverse effect on our operating results.  At June 30, 2009 and 2008, all rental amounts owed by Vinovation, Inc. were payable within the normal billing cycle and were not past due. 

 
30

 

Sonoma Wine Company accounted for 13% and 11% of the Company’s rental revenues for the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. As of September 1, 2007, Sonoma Wine Company entered into a five-year lease covering 54,244 square feet of warehouse space, with annual Consumer Price Index and Excess Operating Expense increases provided for in the lease.    The loss of the Sonoma Wine Company when their lease expires August 31, 2012, if not renewed or replaced, would have a material adverse effect on our operating results.  At June 30, 2009, all rental amounts owed by Sonoma Wine Company were payable within the normal billing cycle and were not past due.

Greg & Greg, Inc. Winery accounted for 12% and 12% of the Company’s rental revenues for the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. On June 8, 2008, Greg & Greg, Inc. Winery entered into a 5 year lease covering 37,951 square feet of warehouse space and 7,361 of outside space with annual Consumer Price Index and Excess Operating Expense increases provided for in the lease.  The loss of Greg & Greg, Inc. Winery when their lease expires on August 15, 2013, if not renewed or replaced, would have a material adverse effect on our operating results.  At June 30, 2009 and 2008, all rental amounts owed by Greg & Greg, Inc. Winery were payable within the normal billing cycle and were not past due.

The following table sets forth the Company’s major tenants whose rental payments exceed 10% of the Company’s leasing segment revenues:
 
Tenant
 
2009
   
2008
 
Vinovation, Inc
  $ 402,000     $ 339,000  
Sonoma Wine Company
    389,000       309,000  
Greg & Greg Inc. Winery
    374,000       347,000  
    $ 1,165,000     $ 995,000  
 
During the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, 70% and 64%, respectively, of the Company’s revenues were associated with the wine industry.
 
Geographic Concentration
 
The Company’s rental revenues come from two properties located in Northern California, more particularly, Sonoma County.  Events and conditions applicable to owners and operators of real property that are beyond our control may decrease the value of our properties.  These events may include: local oversupply or reduction in demand for office, industrial or other commercial space; inability to collect rent from tenants; vacancies or inability to rent spaces on favorable terms; inability to finance property development on favorable terms; increased operating costs, including insurance premiums, utilities, and real estate taxes; costs of complying with changes in governmental regulations; the relative illiquidity of real estate investments; changing sub-market demographics and property damage resulting from seismic activity. The geographical concentration of the Company’s properties may expose the Company to greater economic risks than if we owned properties in several geographic regions.  Obtaining new tenants for the Company’s properties generally requires a tenant to relocate from an existing rental property of a competitor.  Any adverse economic or real estate developments in the Sonoma County region could adversely impact the Company’s financial condition, results from operations, cash flows and quoted per share trading price of the common stock.

 
31

 
Stock-Based Compensation

The Company follows the guidance of SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, which requires it to record compensation expense for all awards granted after the date of adoption, and for the unvested portion of previously granted awards that remained outstanding at the date of adoption. Under SFAS No. 123(R) companies must choose among alternative valuation models and amortization assumptions. After assessing alternative valuation models and amortization assumptions, the Company has selected the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing formula and straight-line amortization of compensation expense over the requisite service period of the grant.

The Company will reconsider use of this model if additional information becomes available in the future that indicates another model would be more appropriate, or if grants issued in future periods have characteristics that cannot be reasonably estimated using this model.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company's financial instruments include cash and equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, other accrued current liabilities and long-term debt. The carrying values of such instruments (excluding long-term debt) approximate their fair values due to their relatively short-term maturities.   The fair value of long-term debt approximates its carrying value, based on interest rates that are currently available to the Company based on debt with similar terms and maturities.
 
Use of Estimates
 
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”).  These accounting principles require management to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions.  The Company believes that the estimates, judgments and assumptions upon which we rely are reasonable based upon information available to the Company at the time that these estimates, judgments and assumptions are made. These estimates, judgments and assumptions can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. The financial statements would be affected to the extent there are material differences between these estimates and actual results.
 
2.           NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure of fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements and accordingly, does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, which was the Company’s fiscal year ending on July 1, 2008 and did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.  See Note 5 for additional information.

In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157. FSP No. 157-2 permits a one-year deferral in applying the measurement provisions of SFAS No. 157 to non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value in an entity’s financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The adoption of FSP No. 157-2 did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

 
32

 

In February 2008, FASB issued FSP No. 157-1, which amends SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, to exclude SFAS No. 13, Accounting for Leases, and other accounting pronouncements that address fair value measurements for purposes of lease classification or measurement under Statement 13.  However, this scope exception does not apply to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that are required to be measured at fair value under FASB Statement No. 141,  Business Combinations,  or No. 141 (revised 2007),  Business Combinations,  regardless of whether those assets and liabilities are related to leases.  The adoption of FSP No. 157-1 did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
 
    In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  Early adoption is permitted in certain circumstances provided that the entity also elects to adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements.  SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value.  The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. The adoption of SFAS No. 159 did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

In May 2009, FASB issued SFAS No. 165, Subsequent Events. SFAS No. 165 establishes general standards of accounting for disclosing events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. It requires the disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and the basis for selecting that date, that is, whether that date represents the date the financial statements were issued or were available to be issued. SFAS No. 165 is effective for interim or annual financial periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company adopted SFAS No. 165 effective June 30, 2009.

Management does not believe that any other issued, but not yet effective accounting pronouncements, if adopted, would have a material effect on the accompanying financial statements.
 
 
3.  
INVESTMENTS IN MARKETABLE SECURITIES
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Gross unrealized gains
   
Gross
realized
gains
   
Fair Value
 
June 30, 2009 – Available-for-sale securities
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
June 30, 2008 – Available-for-sale securities
  $ 365     $ 2,308     $ -     $ 2,673  

At June 30, 2008, the Company held an investment in MetroPCS, a wireless telecommunications company that consummated its initial public offering on April 19, 2007.  In connection with the transaction, the Company’s shares of Series D Preferred Stock were automatically converted into 993,297 common shares.  The Company classified this investment as available-for-sale and accounted for the investment in MetroPCS at fair value. On December 20, 2007, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of 842,316 shares of MetroPCS, subsequently amended to 842,348 shares, payable pro rata to its shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 24, 2007, due and payable at the close of business on January 3, 2008.  The fair value of shares distributed was $14,702,000. At the time, the Company recorded realized gain of $12,666,000 from the transaction.  Following the payment of the dividend, the Company held 150,949 shares of MetroPCS common stock.

 
33

 
The fair value of the 150,949 shares was $2,673,000, which was derived from the publicly traded stock price as of June 30, 2008. For the year ended June 30, 2008, $1,389,000 ($2,308,000 less the deferred tax liability of $919,000) of unrealized gain was included on the Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity.

On July 15, 2008, the Company declared a dividend of the remaining 150,943 shares of MetroPCS common stock, payable pro rata to its shareholders of record of common stock as of the close of business on July 28, 2008, due and payable at the close of business on August 18, 2008. As of June 30, 2009, the Company no longer held any shares of MetroPCS.
 
4.           ACCRUED PAYROLL AND RELATED LIABILITIES
 
Accrued payroll and related liabilities consisted of the following as of June 30:
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Accrued payroll and related liabilities
           
Vacation accruals
  $ 30,000     $ 29,000  
Bonus accruals
    283,000       214,000  
    $ 313,000     $ 243,000  
 
On June 26, 2009, the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of the Company approved compensation arrangements for Walker R. Stapleton, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and President.  Effective July 1, 2009, Mr. Stapleton will be paid an annual base salary of $210,000.  In addition, based on the Committee’s Incentive Compensation Plan, the Committee granted Mr. Stapleton a discretionary bonus for the preceding fiscal year in the amount of $185,555 after achieving certain incentive compensation goals and measures established by the Compensation Committee.

5.           LONG-TERM DEBT:
 
Long-term debt of $2,500,000 at June 30, 2009 consists of the following:
   
Scheduled principal payments
 
   
2009
   
2010
   
2011
 
Note payable:  term loan due May 1, 2011 interest rate equal to the LIBOR plus 2.25%, monthly payments of accrued interest only, secured by real property
  $ -     $ -     $ 2,500,000  

On May 21, 2008, the Company entered into a term loan arrangement to borrow the principal sum of $2.5 million (the “Loan”) from Wachovia Bank N.A. ("Wachovia").  The Loan is evidenced by a three-year promissory note, made by the Company in favor of Wachovia and bearing interest at the rate of LIBOR plus 2.25% per annum. The interest rate was 2.56% at June 30, 2009.  The Loan matures on May 1, 2011, prior to which, the Company is obligated to make monthly payments of accrued interest only.

The Loan is secured by the Company's North Property, located at 2064 Gravenstein Highway, Sebastopol, California pursuant to the terms of a Deed of Trust, Assignment of Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, dated as of May 21, 2008, made by the Company in favor of Wachovia (the "Deed of Trust").  The Loan and the Deed of Trust contain standard continuing covenants and agreements.

 
34

 

In connection with the Loan, the Company also entered into an Environmental Indemnity Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2008, pursuant to which the Company agreed, among other things, to indemnify Wachovia and its assignees against any liabilities arising from or out of (i) certain violations of environmental laws and regulations applicable to the North property, (ii) the presence on the North property of certain hazardous materials, and (iii) any breach by the Company of any representation or warranty made in the Environmental Indemnity Agreement, to the extent applicable.

6.           DERIVIATES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

On October 3, 2008, the Company entered into an interest rate cap agreement with Wachovia Bank to manage the interest rate risk associated with its long-term debt obligations. Under the agreement, the Company’s maximum interest rate would be 5.75% on the principal sum of $2,500,000, consisting of the maximum LIBOR rate of 3.50% plus 2.25%. On October 1, 2010, the interest rate will revert to LIBOR plus 2.25%. As of June 30, 2009, the LIBOR rate was 0.31%.  The Company does not monitor these interest rate cap agreements for hedge effectiveness. Gains and losses associated with this interest rate cap agreement are recorded as interest expense in the Company’s Statements of Income.

 
SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy, as defined below, gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.
 
·  
Level 1: Defined as observable inputs, such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.
 
·  
Level 2: Defined as observable inputs other than Level 1 prices. This includes quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
 
·  
Level 3: Defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

The Company paid a premium of $26,000 to enter into the interest rate cap agreement. At June 30, 2009, the fair value of the interest rate cap agreement approximated zero using Level 2 inputs.  The Company has recorded a $26,000 expense to Interest Expense in its Statement of Income for the year ended June 30, 2009 related to the change in fair value of the interest rate cap.
 
7.
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES AND DEFERRED INCOME TAXES:

Effective July 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of the FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, (“FIN 48”) an Interpretation of SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (“SFAS No. 109”).  FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a company’s income tax return, and also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.

As a result of the adoption of FIN 48, the Company recognized no material adjustments in the liability for unrecognized income tax benefits as of July 1, 2008 adoption date and June 30, 2009.  Also, the Company had no amounts of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect its effective tax rate for June 30, 2009.

 
35

 

The Company’s policy for deducting interest and penalties is to treat interest as interest expense and penalties as taxes.  As of June 30, 2009, the Company had no amount accrued for the payment of interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts as of the adoption date of FIN 48.
 
For the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the provision for income taxes consisted of the following:
   
2009
   
2008
 
Current:
           
Federal
  $ 662,000     $ 4,608,000  
State
    266,000       1,130,000  
Deferred:
               
Federal
    306,000       (400,000 )
State
    (2,000 )     45,000  
Provision
  $ 1,232,000     $ 5,383,000  
 
A reconciliation of the federal statutory rate to the tax provision for the years ended June 30 follows:
   
2009
%
   
2008
%
 
Federal statutory rate
    34 %     34 %
State taxes, less federal tax benefit
    6 %     6 %
Permanent difference – stock option expense
    - %     (1 )%
Deferred tax adjustment allocated to APIC for tax windfall in excess of amount deferred
    - %     1 %
      40 %     40 %
 
    Deferred tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following at June 30,:
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Deferred taxes - current
           
Deferred tax assets:
           
Employee benefit accruals
  $ 10,000     $ 10,000  
Allowance for bad debt
    8,000       -  
Prepaid rents received
    21,000       43,000  
Stock compensation expense
    18,000       25,000  
State taxes deductible next year
    95,000       380,000  
        Total deferred tax assets
    152,000       458,000  
                 
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale marketable securities
    -       (919,000 )
Property taxes
    (34,000 )     (34,000 )
Total deferred tax liabilities
    (34,000 )     (953,000 )
Net deferred taxes – current
  $ 118,000     $ (495,000 )
                 
Deferred tax assets – long term:
       
Depreciation
  $ 240,000     $ 248,000  
Derivative amortization
    5,000       -  
Net deferred taxes – long term
  $ 245,000     $ 248,000  

 
36

 
8.           EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN:

On July 31, 2002, the Company's Board of Directors approved the SonomaWest Holdings, Inc. 2002 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2002 Plan"). The 2002 Plan is designed to benefit the Company and its shareholders by providing incentive based compensation to encourage officers, directors, consultants and other key employees of the Company to attain high performance and encourage stock ownership in the Company. The maximum number of shares of common stock issuable over the term of the 2002 Stock Option Plan is 150,000 shares. No participant in the 2002 Plan may be granted stock options, direct stock issuances and share right awards for more than 15,000 shares of common stock in total in any calendar year. The exercise price of all incentive stock options granted under the 2002 Plan must be at least equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. The exercise price of non-qualified stock options must at least be equal to 85% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. The contractual life of the options is ten years. Options issued under this plan may be fully vested and exercisable on the date of grant, or may be subject to term-based or performance-based vesting, based on the restrictions provided on the date of the grant. In May 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved and adopted the Second Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Incentive Plan, which was amended to effect certain changes in tax laws.  Prior to adoption of the 2002 Plan, the Company administered the 1996 Stock Option Plan (the "1996 Plan"). As amended, the 1996 Plan provided for the issuance of options to employees and non-employee consultants exercisable for an aggregate of 275,000 shares of common stock. In connection with adoption of the 2002 Plan, no future options will be granted under the 1996 Plan.

    During the year ended June 30, 2009, there were no stock options granted. The Company recorded no stock compensation expense for the year ended June 30, 2009, as all outstanding stock options had vested on or before June 30, 2008.  Stock compensation expense for the year ended June 30, 2008 was $64,000, including $61,000 of expense related to non-qualified stock options which generated a tax deduction of $24,000 and $3,000 in stock compensation expense related to incentive stock options which generated no tax deduction.  During the year ended June 30, 2009, one board member exercised outstanding stock options. In conjunction with such exercise, the Company incurred additional tax expense of $11,000 included in the Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity. During the year ended June 30, 2008, one employee and three board members exercised their outstanding stock options.  The Company had previously recorded stock compensation expense of $138,000 for these non-qualified stock options and a $47,000 deferred tax benefit. In conjunction with the exercise, the Company recorded a windfall tax benefit of $77,000 as a component of the Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity.

A summary of the status of the Company’s stock options at June 30, 2009 and 2008 are presented in the table below:
 
   
Options
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
 
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
                 
Balance, June 30, 2007
    57,000     $ 10.42      
      Granted
    27,000     $ 6.10      
      Cancelled
    -     $ -      
      Exercised
    (53,000 )   $ 10.09      
Balance, June 30, 2008
    31,000     $ 7.53      
Granted
    -     $ -      
Cancelled
    -     $ -      
Exercised
    (10,000 )   $ 6.50      
Balance, June 30, 2009
    21,000     $ 8.02  
8.42
$     -
Exercisable, June 30, 2009
    21,000     $ 8.02  
8.42
$     -

 
37

 

All outstanding options were fully vested as of June 30, 2009 and 2008.  The total intrinsic value of the options exercised for the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 was zero and $334,000, respectively. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, with the following weighted-average assumptions used for the 2008 grants: weighted average risk-free interest rate of 6.10 percent; expected dividend yield of 0 percent; expected life of two years; and expected volatility of 62 percent with a forfeiture rate of less than 1%.

 
Options outstanding, exercisable, and vested by price range at June 30, 2009, are as follows:
   
Options outstanding
 
Options exercisable
       
Weighted
           
       
average
 
Weighted
     
Weighted
       
remaining
 
average
     
average
Range of exercise
 
Number of
 
contractual
 
exercise
 
Number of
 
exercise
prices
 
Shares
 
life (years)
 
price
 
shares
 
price
$ 5.00-7.00
 
 
16,000
   
8.90
 
$
6.10
   
16,000
 
$
6.10
$ over 10.00
 
 
5,000
   
7.46
 
$
13.05
   
5,000
 
$
13.05
Total
 
 
21,000
   
8.42
 
$
8.02
   
21,000
 
$
8.02

 
For options granted during the year ended June 30, 2008, the weighted average fair value as of the grant date was $1.61.
 
9.           LITIGATION
 
From time to time, the Company is a party to lawsuits and claims arising out of the normal course of business.  As of June 30, 2009, the Company was not a party to any material legal proceedings.
 
10.           RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
 
On July 8, 2009, following approval by the Board of Directors of the Company, with David J. Bugatto (a current board member) not participating or voting, the Company entered into a new consulting agreement with Bugatto Investment Company, replacing the prior agreement, on terms substantially similar to those in the prior agreement. The 2009 agreement became effective July 1, 2009, immediately after expiration of the term of the existing agreement. Under the 2009 agreement, Bugatto Investment Company agreed to provide real estate consulting services, as reasonably requested by the Company, for a one-year term, at the hourly rate of $250, which is consistent with the prior agreement.

During fiscal 2009 and 2008, the Company incurred $16,000 and $10,000 respectively, for real estate consulting services provided by Bugatto Investment Company.  These expenses are included in Operating Costs - Related Party.  As of June 30, 2009, the Company had a payable to Bugatto Investment Company of less than $1,000.

 
38

 
11.           COMMITMENT AND CONTINGENCIES
 
From time to time the Company enters into lease agreements with tenants that contain commitments to reimburse the tenants for improvements to the buildings which are recorded as rental concessions.  As of June 30, 2009, the Company had no commitments for tenant improvement reimbursements.

On December 20, 2007, the Board of Directors announced a dividend of 842,316 shares, subsequently amended to 842,348 shares, of MetroPCS common stock, payable pro rata to its shareholders of record on December 24, 2007 and originally payable at the close of business on January 3, 2008.   On January 11, 2008, the Company announced that it was notified by NASDAQ that the ex-dividend date was to be January 11, 2008. The final dividend total of 842,348 shares of MetroPCS was paid to non-street name holders as promptly as practicable following the close of business on January 3, 2008, and to street name holders on or after the close of business on January 9, 2008.  As a result of the NASDAQ ex-dividend date being set as January 11, 2008, the dividend may not have been received by some shareholders who traded during the period between January 4, 2008 and January 10, 2008.  The Company has analyzed the trading activity during that period and has estimated the maximum exposure related to this matter to be $314,000. As of June 30, 2009, $279,000 has been paid to shareholders who have made substantiated claims and $35,000 has been accrued as dividend claims payable.  The Company has been indemnified by a third-party service provider for such claims and does not expect to incur any material net expense related to such claims.
 
12.           SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
We evaluated subsequent events through September 28, 2009, the date this Annual Report on Form 10-K was approved by the Board of Directors.  As of September 28, 2009, Vinovation owed $35,000 in past due utility reimbursements and security deposits. The Company and Vinovation agreed to apply $46,000 of the existing Vinovation security deposit to satisfy Vinovation’s portion of wastewater improvement costs, Vinovation has agreed to replenish the security deposit within one year.
 
Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

There have been no changes in our accountants and there have no disagreements with regard to accounting and financial disclosure.
 
Item 9A(T).  Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Attached as exhibits to this report are certifications of our CEO/CFO required pursuant to Rule 13a-14 under the Exchange Act. This section includes information concerning the controls and procedures evaluation referred to in the certifications.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of June 30, 2009. This evaluation was conducted under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our CEO/CFO. Based on this evaluation, our CEO/CFO have concluded that, subject to the limitations noted in this section, as of June 30, 2009, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the rules and forms of the SEC. We also concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO/CFO, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 
39

 

Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of assets of the company, (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO/CFO, we assessed our internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2009, the end of our fiscal year. This assessment was based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

Based on our assessment, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of June 30, 2009.

This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit us to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Additionally, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
Item 9B.  Other Information
 
None.

 
40

 
PART III
 
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers
 
 
Item 11. Executive Compensation
 
Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.
 
Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.
 
Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.
 
Item 14.  Principal Accounting Fees and Services
 
Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.
 
PART IV
 
Item 15.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
(a)           Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
(1)           Financial Statements
 
The information required by this Item appears in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
(2)           Financial Statement Schedules
 
Financial statement schedules not included herein have been omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the required information, where material, is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.
 
Schedule II. *    Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
Schedule III.*   Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
 
*Schedules included after signature page.

 
41

 
 
(3)           Index to Exhibits
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
      
3.1(1)
 
 
Certificate of Incorporation
3.2(2)
 
Bylaws
10.1(3)
 
1996 Stock Option Plan, as amended
10.2+
 
SonomaWest Holdings, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Incentive Plan
10.3(5)
 
Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and its directors and officers
10.5(6)
 
Consulting Agreement effective as of July 1, 2008 between SonomaWest Holdings, Inc. and Bugatto Investment Company
10.6+
 
Consulting Agreement effective as of July 1, 2009 between SonomaWest Holdings, Inc. and Bugatto Investment Company
11.1*
 
Computation of Per Share Earnings
23.1+
 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
31.1+
 
Chief Executive Officer Certification of Periodic Financial Report Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2+
 
Chief Financial Officer Certification of Periodic Financial Report Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1+
 
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
                                
(1)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2004, filed on February 14, 2005.
 
(2)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the exhibits to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2004, filed on February 14, 2005.
 
(3)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the exhibits to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2004, filed on February 14, 2005.
 
(4)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-84295) filed on August 2, 1999.
 
(5)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the registrant’s Report on Form 8-K filed May 16, 2006.
 
(6)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, filed on September 29, 2008.
 
+ Filed herewith.
 
* Furnished herewith.

 
42

 

 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
Date:           September 28, 2009                                                      SONOMAWEST HOLDINGS, INC.
 

By:      /s/ Walker R. Stapleton                           
Walker R. Stapleton, President, Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Walker R. Stapleton and David J. Bugatto, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting to said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, the power and authority to perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

SIGNATURES
TITLE
DATE
 
 
/s/ Walker R. Stapleton                                
Walker R. Stapleton
 
 
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Director
(Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
 
 
September 28, 2009
     
 
/s/ David J. Bugatto                                  
David J. Bugatto
 
Director
 
September 28, 2009
 
/s/ David Janke                                          
David Janke
 
 
Director
 
 
September 28, 2009
 
/s/ Robert Davies                                      
Robert Davies
 
Director
 
September 28, 2009


 
43

 

Schedule II.  Valuation and Qualifying Accounts


     
Additions
                   
 
 
 
Year
 
 
 
Description
 
Balance at beginning of period
   
Charged to costs and expenses
   
Charged to other accounts
   
 
 
Deductions
   
Balance at end of period
 
 
2009
 
Valuation allowance for uncollectible accounts
  $  -     $  19,000     $  -     $  -     $  19,000  

 
44

 

SCHEDULE III
 
SonomaWest Holdings, Inc.
 
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
 
June 30, 2009
 
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
Column A
 
Column B
   
Column C
   
Column D
   
Column E
   
Column F
   
Column G
   
Column H
 
                     
Costs
   
 
         
 
                   
                     
Subsequently
   
Gross Amount at which Carried
                   
         
Initial Cost to Company
   
Capitalized
   
at Close of Year (Note 3)
                   
               
Buildings
         
 
   
Buildings
   
 
                   
               
And
         
 
   
And
   
Total
   
Accumulated
   
Year of
   
Year
 
Description
 
Encumbrances
   
Land
   
Improvements
   
Improvements
   
Land
   
Improvements
   
(Note 1)
   
Depreciation
(Note 2)
   
Construction
   
Acquired
 
1365 Gravenstein Hwy. So., Sebastopol, CA
  $ -     $ 72     $ 308     $ 1,025     $ 72     $ 1,333     $ 1,405     $ 1,151       N/A       1964  
2064 Gravenstein Hwy. No., Sebastopol, CA
    2,500,000       159       2,312       3,583       159       5,895       6,054       5,250       N/A       1983  
    $ $2,500,000     $ 231     $ 2,620     $ 4,608     $ 231     $ 7,228     $ 7,459     $ 6,401                  
Note 1. The changes in the total cost of land, buildings, and improvements for the two years ended June 30, are as follows:
                                         
      2009       2008                                                                  
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 7, 244     $ 7, 301                                                                  
Additions
    215       13                                                                  
Cost of disposed property
    -       ( 70 )                                                                
Balance at end of period
  $ 7,459     $ 7,244                                                                  
Note 2. The changes in accumulated depreciation for the two years ended June 30, are as follows:
                                                 
      2009       2008                                                                  
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 6,236     $ 6,117                                                                  
Depreciation expense
    165       187                                                                  
Relief of accumulated balances related to disposed property
    -       ( 68 )                                                                
Balance at end of period
  $ 6,401     $ 6,236                                                                  
Note 3: The gross amount at which Column E was held for Federal income tax purposes was the same as book.
                                         

 
45

 


 
(a)(3)           Exhibits
 
Exhibit No.
 
Document Description
3.1(1)
 
Certificate of Incorporation
3.2(2)
 
Bylaws
10.1(3)
 
1996 Stock Option Plan, as amended
10.2+
 
SonomaWest Holdings, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Incentive Plan
10.3(5)
 
Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and its directors and officers
10.5(6)
 
Consulting Agreement effective as of July 1, 2008 between SonomaWest Holdings, Inc. and Bugatto Investment Company
10.6+
 
Consulting Agreement effective as of July 1, 2009 between SonomaWest Holdings, Inc. and Bugatto Investment Company
11.1*
 
Computation of Per Share Earnings
23.1+
 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
31.1+
 
Chief Executive Officer Certification of Periodic Financial Report Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2+
 
Chief Financial Officer Certification of Periodic Financial Report Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1+
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 18
U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 

(1)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2004, filed on February 14, 2005.
 
(2)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2004, filed on February 14, 2005.
 
(3)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the exhibits to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2004, filed on February 14, 2005.
 
(4)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-84295) filed on August 2, 1999.
 
(5)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the registrant’s Report on Form 8-K filed May 16, 2006.
 
(6)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, filed on September 29, 2008.
 
+ Filed herewith.
 
        * Furnished herein
EX-10.5 2 bcaex105.htm BUGATTO CONSULTING AGREEMENT bcaex105.htm


Exhibit 10.5

 
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
 

 
This Agreement ("Agreement") is made and effective as of July 1, 2009 ("Effective Date") by and between SONOMAWEST HOLDINGS, INC. a Delaware corporation ("Client") and BUGATTO INVESTMENT COMPANY ("Consultant").
 
1.    Services and Deliverables. Consultant will perform (i) any strategic services related to the Client’s current and future portfolio of real estate assets, including possible acquisitions of additional real estate, (ii) services that Client reasonably requests relating to the Client’s properties, including without limitation assisting Client concerning interactions with Sonoma County zoning and land use authorities, and (iii) such other services as Client and Consultant may agree upon (collectively, the "Services"). During the term of this Agreement, Consultant will make David J. Bugatto available to perform the Services. Consultant will determine the method, details and means of performing the Services.
 
2.    Fees and Payment.
 
a.    Hourly Fee. In consideration for the Services to be performed by Consultant, Client will pay to Consultant an hourly fee of $250.00 per hour for all hours rendered on behalf of Client. Client and Consultant agree that only the Chief Executive Officer of Client (the “CEO”) is authorized to request or authorize Services, and Consultant shall not undertake Services at the request of any other employee of Client without the prior written approval of the CEO. Client will pay Consultant for its services within fifteen (15) days of delivery of a monthly invoice. Any amounts that Client may pay to Consultant for time spent in connection with litigation-related activities (such as in connection with testimony, depositions or expert witness activity) will be subject to a separate arrangement and rates mutually agreed upon between Client and Consultant.
 
b.    No Additional Payments. No additional amounts shall be payable in connection with performance of the Services or in connection with any transaction involving a sale of any of Client’s properties, a sale of Client’s business (whether by merger, sale of assets or other transaction) or a transaction that results in Client no longer being a public company.
 
c.    Deductions and Withholdings. All amounts payable or which become payable under any provision of this Agreement will be subject to any deductions and withholdings that Client reasonably determines are necessary or required by law.
 
3.    Independent Consultant Status. It is the express intention of the parties that Consultant is an independent consultant and not an employee, agent, joint venturer or partner of Client. Nothing in this Agreement will be interpreted or construed as creating or establishing the relationship of employer and employee between Client and Consultant, or any employee or agent of Consultant.
 

 
1

 
4.    Additional Obligations of Consultant.
 
a.    Equipment. Consultant will supply all tools and instrumentalities required to perform the Services under this Agreement. Consultant is not required to purchase or rent any tools, equipment or services from Client.
 
b.    Costs and Expenses. Consultant is responsible for all costs and expenses incident to performing services hereunder, including but not limited to costs of equipment provided by Consultant, fees, fines, licenses, bonds, or taxes required of or imposed against Consultant and its assistants, if any, as costs of doing business. Client is not responsible for any expenses incurred by Consultant in performing services for Client, except for those reasonable out-of-pocket travel expenses and miscellaneous expenses incurred by Consultant in performing the Services under this Agreement.
 
c.    Assistants; Indemnification. Consultant may, at its option and at its own expense, employ such assistants as Consultant deems necessary to perform the Services. Consultant assumes full and sole responsibility for the payment of all compensation and expenses of these assistants and for any state and federal income tax, unemployment insurance, Social Security, disability insurance and other applicable withholdings of such assistants. Consultant will provide workers' compensation insurance coverage for its employees and agents, and agrees to hold harmless and indemnify Client for any and all claims arising out of any injury, disability, or death of any of Consultant's employees or agents. Consultant will indemnify and hold Client harmless against any and all liability imposed or claimed, including attorneys' fees and other legal expenses, arising directly or indirectly from any act or failure to act of Consultant or Consultant's assistants, employees or agents, including all claims relating to injury or death of any person or damage to property.
 
d.    Compliance With Client Policies. Consultant specifically agrees to abide by Client's standards and rules of conduct and general operating procedures while on Client's premises or otherwise while performing services pursuant to this Agreement.
 
e.    No Assignment By Consultants. Consultant may not assign any duties or obligations under this Agreement without Client's express written consent.
 
f.    Independent Contractor. Consultant acknowledges that, as he is an independent consultant and not an employee, he is responsible for paying all required state and federal taxes. In particular, Client will not: (i) withhold FICA (Social Security) from Consultant's payments; (ii) make state or federal unemployment insurance contributions on Consultant's behalf; (iii) withhold state or federal income tax from payment to Consultant; (iv) make disability insurance contributions on behalf of Consultant; (v) obtain workers' compensation insurance on behalf of Consultant.
 
g.    No Participation in Employee Benefit Plans. Consultant further acknowledges that he is not eligible for participation in any benefit plan or program available to Consultant's employees, and that the fee for services has been established in recognition of Consultant being responsible for maintaining such benefit coverage as it deems appropriate.
 

 
2

 
 
5.    Term and Termination.
 
a.    Terms. This Agreement begins on the Effective Date and continues until the earlier to occur of (i) the mutual written agreement of Consultant and Client to terminate the Agreement; (ii) termination in accordance with the provisions set forth below; or (iii) June 30, 2010.
 
b.    Bankruptcy, Insolvency. Either party may terminate this Agreement upon notice to the other party if a court having jurisdiction shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the other party in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereinafter in effect, or appoint a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) for that other party or for any substantial part of that party’s property, or order the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of sixty (60) consecutive business days; or if the other party shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consent to the entry of an order for relief in any involuntary case under any such law, or consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or similar official) for any substantial part of that other party’s property, or make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall take any action in furtherance of any of the foregoing.
 
c.    Personnel. Client may terminate this Agreement upon notice to Consultant if David J. Bugatto becomes no longer available to perform the Services.
 
d.    Material Default. If Consultant materially defaults in the performance of the Agreement or materially breaches any of the provisions and does not cure the default or breach within ten (10) days of delivery of a notice thereof from Client to Consultant, Client at its sole option may terminate the Agreement by delivering a notice to Consultant. For purposes of this section, material default or breach includes, but is not limited to: (i) failure or refusal to perform in any material respect the Services when and as contemplated; (ii) repeated failure to provide timely invoices with appropriate descriptions and approved expenses as provided herein; and (iii) negligence, misconduct, an act of dishonesty, or taking an action or conducting itself in a manner contrary or inimical to Client's best business interests or reputation.
 
e.    Payment Defaults. If Client fails to pay Consultant fees or payment as provided herein and fails to make any required payment within ten (10) days after delivery by Consultant to Client of a late payment notice, Consultant at its option may terminate the Agreement by delivering a notice to Client.
 
f.    Return of Materials. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, Consultant shall return to Client all materials of any kind in Client’s possession relating to the Services or Client.
 
g.    Survival. The provisions of Sections 2(b), 2(c), 3, 4, 5(f), 6 and 7 shall survive expiration or termination of the Agreement for any reason.
 
6.    Confidentiality, Trade Secrets, Work for Hire and Non-Competition.
 
a.    Nondisclosure. Consultant recognizes that during the term of this Agreement, and in preparation therefore, he will be privy to Client's trade secrets or proprietary or other confidential or privileged information (“Confidential Information”). Consultant agrees to keep all Confidential Information in strictest confidence and not to disclose it except for legitimate purposes of Client and with Client's express written consent, either during the term of this Agreement or at any time thereafter.
 

 
3

 
b.    Delivery of Materials on Termination. On termination of this Agreement, Consultant will promptly deliver to Client all equipment belonging to Client, all code and computer programs of whatever nature, as well as all manuals, letters, reports, price lists, customer lists, sales information, analyses, recommendations, and all copies thereof, and all other materials of a confidential nature regarding Client's business that are in its possession or control. Consultant agrees that the remedy at law for any breach of the foregoing will be inadequate, and that Client is entitled to seek appropriate injunctive relief in addition to any remedy at law in case of any such breach.
 
c.    Work For Hire; Assignment of Rights. Consultant agrees that all work Consultant performs pursuant to this Agreement, and all work which relates at the time of conception or reduction to Client's business, and all work which results from work Consultant performs for Client, whenever performed during the term of this Agreement, and whether or not utilizing Client's equipment, supplies, facilities or trade secret information, is considered work made for hire for Client as such term is defined in section 101 of the Copyright Act of 1976 and belongs to Client. Consultant further agrees that in the event that this Agreement is determined not to be a work for hire agreement, Consultant will assign to Client any and all rights retained by Consultant. All Inventions (as defined below) conceived of or made by Consultant or Agent, either alone or with others, during the term of this Agreement, which (i) are developed, in whole or part, in reliance upon or any of the Client equipment, supplies, facilities or Confidential Information, or (ii) relate to the business of the Client or the Client actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development, or (iii) result from any work performed by Consultant for the Client pursuant to this Agreement, are and shall be the sole property of the Client, whether as “works for hire” or otherwise. Consultant hereby irrevocably assigns and transfers to the Client all of its right, title and interest in and to all such Inventions, and Consultant agrees not to disclose any such Inventions to others without the express written consent of Client. Consultant agrees to execute such documents as Client may reasonably request reflecting such assignment and transfer. For the purpose of this Agreement, an Invention is deemed to have been made during the term of the Agreement if, during such period, the Invention was conceived or first actually reduced to practice. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, this Section shall not apply to any Invention which fully qualifies under Section 2870 of the California Labor Code, to the extent that such section applies to the activities of Consultant. For the purposes of this Section, “Invention” means any new formulae, know-how, techniques, applications, combinations, machines, methods, processes, algorithms, routines, subroutines, apparatuses, compositions of matter, compounds, designs, uses, plans or configurations of any kind, discovered, conceived, developed, made or produced, or any improvements of them, and shall not be limited to the definition of an invention contained in the United States patent laws.
 
7.    General Provisions.
 
a.    Notices. Any notices given by either party may be effected by personal delivery in writing or by mail, registered or certified, postage prepaid, or by facsimile transmission or by electronic submission, if receipt is confirmed in a commercially acceptable manner. Mailed notices are to be addressed to the parties at the addresses below:
 
If to Client: 
SonomaWest Holdings, Inc. 
2064 Highway 116, North 
Sebastopol, CA 95472-2662 
   
 
Attn: Chief Executive Officer 
   
       
If to Consultant: 
Bugatto Investment Company 
   
 
c/o David J. Bugatto 
   
 
4425 I Street 
   
 
Sacramento, CA 95819 
   
 
Notices will be deemed delivered: (a) upon receipt if hand delivered; (b) three (3) days after mailing if sent by mail; and (c) one (l) business day after transmission if sent by telecopier (with electronic acknowledgment of successful transmission) or express courier, to the addresses set forth above, or such other addresses as any party may notify the other parties in accordance with this Section.
 

 
4

 
b.    Entire Agreement. This Agreement supersedes any and all agreements, oral or written, between the parties with respect to rendering services by Consultant for Client, and contains all agreements between the parties. This Agreement supersedes the consulting agreements dated August 10, 2005, July 1, 2006 and July 1, 2007, between Client and Consultant, and is intended by the parties to govern all services provided and to be provided by Consultant to Client on and after July 1, 2008. Without limiting the foregoing, Consultant agrees that neither Consultant nor any of its officers, directors or owners shall have any claim for payment of any amounts described in the Consulting Agreements dated as of August 10, 2005, July 1, 2006 and July 1, 2007, by and between Consultant and the Company for payment of any amounts contemplated therein, including upon the occurrence of a transaction involving the sale of any of the Company’s properties or as a result of which the Company is no longer a public company. Any modification of this Agreement is effective only if in writing signed by the party to be charged.
 
c.    Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. The provision of this Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California, notwithstanding any application of any doctrine of conflicts of laws. Each party irrevocably consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in Sacramento, California, in connection with any action to enforce the provisions of this Agreement, to recover damages or other relief for breach or default of this Agreement, or otherwise arising under or by reason of this Agreement, and agrees that service of process in any such action may be effected by the means provided in this Agreement for delivery of notices.
 
d.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
 
e.    Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the heirs, successors and assigns of the parties.
 
f.    Severability. If any provision contained in this Agreement is determined to be void, invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part for any reason whatsoever, it shall be enforced and given effect to the extent possible, such determination shall not affect or impair the validity of any other provision herein, nor the validity of this Agreement as a whole, and the remaining provisions will continue in full force provided that the essential purposes of the Agreement can be achieved without the invalid provision
 
g.    Amendment. The provisions of this Agreement may be modified at any time by agreement of the parties. Any such agreement hereafter made shall be ineffective to modify this Agreement in any respect unless in writing and signed by the parties against whom enforcement of the modification or discharge is sought. Any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement may be waived in writing at any time by the party entitled to the benefit thereof, but no such waiver shall affect or impair the right of the waiving party to require observance, performance or satisfaction either of that term or condition as it applies on a subsequent occasion or of any other term or condition.
 

 
5

 


 

 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Consulting Agreement has been entered into as of the date and year first above written.
 
     
 
Consultant:
     
 
  
BUGATTO INVESTMENT COMPANY
   
 
By: /s/ David J. Bugatto                
 
David J. Bugatto, President 

 
     
 
Client:
     
Date: July 8, 2009       
 
SONOMAWEST HOLDINGS, INC.
   
 
By: /s/ Walker R. Stapleton         
 
Walker R Stapleton, CEO 

6
 

 
EX-11.1 3 swhiex111.htm COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE swhiex111.htm




 
Exhibit 11.1
 

 
COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
 
   
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
    1,251       1,216  
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON AND COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARES OUTSTANDING
    1,251       1,228  
NET INCOME APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK
  $ 1,872     $ 7,991  
TOTAL INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:
               
Basic
  $ 1.50     $ 6.57  
Diluted
  $ 1.50     $ 6.51  

EX-23.1 4 swhiex23.htm CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM swhiex23.htm




 
Exhibit 23.1
 

 
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (No. 033-70870, No. 333-84295, No. 333-101755, and No. 333-122507) of SonomaWest Holdings, Inc. of our report dated September 28, 2009, relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedules, which appears in this Form 10-K.

 
/s/ Macias Gini & O’Connell                                               
 
Sacramento, California
 
September 28, 2009
EX-31.1 5 swhiex311.htm CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER swhiex311.htm



 
Exhibit 31.1
 
CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO
 
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
 
I, Walker R. Stapleton, Chief Executive Officer of SonomaWest Holdings, Inc., certify that:
 
1.           I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of SonomaWest Holdings, Inc.;
 
2.           Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.           Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.           The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))for the registrant and have:
 
(a)           Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
(b)           Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
(c)           Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
(d)           Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5.           The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
(a)           All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
(b)           Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Date: September 28, 2009

 
/s/ Walker R. Stapleton                                                                
Walker R. Stapleton, President, Chief Executive Officer
EX-31.2 6 swhiex312.htm CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER swhiex312.htm


 
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO
 
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
 
I, Walker R. Stapleton, Chief Financial Officer of SonomaWest Holdings, Inc., certify that:
 
1.           I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of SonomaWest Holdings, Inc.;
 
2.           Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.           Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.           The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))for the registrant and have:
 
(a)           Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
(b)           Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
(c)           Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
(d)           Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5.           The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
(a)           All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
(b)           Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Date: September 28, 2009
 
/s/ Walker R. Stapleton                                                                
Walker R. Stapleton, President, Chief Financial Officer
 
EX-32.1 7 swhiex321.htm SECTION 302 CEO/CFO CERTIFICATION swhiex321.htm




 
 Exhibit 32.1
 
Certification
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63
of Title 18, United States Code)
 
Pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C.  1350), the undersigned officer of SonomaWest Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), does hereby certify that:
 
The Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009 (the “Form 10-K”) of the Company fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Walker R. Stapleton                                                        
Walker R. Stapleton, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
 
September 28, 2009
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----