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Fort Ross Vineyard
By BRETT WILKISON
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
A disputed tasting room on vineyard property north of Jenner will be the first on a rural stretch of the Sonoma County coast to offer public tasting, retail sales and special events after getting tentative approval from the board of supervisors.
A group of neighbors had opposed the 5,986-square-foot facility on Meyers Grade Road, citing concerns about increased traffic, impacts on groundwater, greenhouse gases and coastal scenery. The county zoning board had unanimously approved the project in April, but critics appealed that decision.
The board Tuesday rejected the appeal after more than two hours of public testimony and discussion.
Citing reports by county staff and outside consultants, supervisors said the project was consistent with county planning documents and would not harm the rural character and resources of the area.
“These type of projects have been the most difficult of my time here on the board,” Supervisor Efren Carrillo said in a nod to a number of recent public disputes over wine-industry facilities proposed for rural areas of Sonoma County. “But I think this project will be a good fit for the area,” he said.
Lester and Linda Schwartz, owners of Fort Ross Vineyard, said building a tasting room on their 246-acre property was necessary to promote their wines, which are produced at a winery in Santa Rosa from estate-grown grapes.
The couples’ supporters, including several tourism and lodging officials and a trio of winemakers and vendors, said an on-site tasting room would give an economic boost to the area.
“We are interested in every opportunity we have to make our county an appealing destination as a getaway,” said Greg Hagin, manager of the Sea Ranch Lodge.
The tasting room will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. most of the year — it will close at 5 p.m. from December through March — and be allowed to host 10 events per year with a maximum of 100 guests.
It will be outside the designated scenic and coastal zones, will be screened from Meyers Grade Road by trees and will generate only about 23 vehicle trips per day, county staff reported.
“It’s a modest building,” said Lester Schwartz. “We’re simply asking for what the general plan and zoning regulations provide.”
Neighbors and area residents opposed to the project sought to persuade supervisors that the project would set a precedent and cause a “cascade of commercial development on the coast.”
“Piecemeal commercial development will forever change this unique scenic area,” said Michael Singer, who said he was better known by the name Zippy.
Others voiced worries about an even small addition in traffic on the steep Meyers Grade Road or impacts on groundwater from the building’s well.
“Keep the wild Sonoma Coast wild!” said Kay Barnes, whose property adjoins the tasting room parcel.
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It’s about time the Sonoma coast gets something more interesting than the Timbercove Inn. I hope this opens a windfall of business. Some day it would be nice not to have to drive 45 minutes for some essentials. Also, perhaps this will allow our property values to finally surpass the midwest.
I can’t wait for next year for the Board of Stupidvisors to finally move away from a 1950′s mentality into the 21st century so this kind of detrimental decision making will finally end.
Carrillo it seems is in the developer’s pocket, but shame on you Shirley. Don’t be afraid to go against the faulty status quo.
Welcome to our world! Wine rules, the environment drools…. Get used to it.
it’s amazing how easy it is for the wine industry to get something done like a tunnel/cave to store wine, or a tasting room, and worst yet be able to clear land to plant more grape’s without so much as a whimper from the enviornmentalist.
have mercy on the soul that wants to mine or log to make a living in California
For those of you who didn’t attend the hearing Doug Bosco is the vineyards lawyer!! Do influential people make a difference, you bet! The project is 17 feet out of the coastal plan, so that’s a go. I only attended the hearing, but it seemed like a done deal from an outsider. Only 400 people affected, who cares? Will those 100 tasters and events goers be driving down our ONE LANE Fort Ross Road, thru to Cazadero you bet cha. Wine and grapes rule in Sonoma County.
Oh good. More wine drinking on narrow winding roads on the coast. What could go wrong here? If these little old wine makers need to open a wine tasting room, open one where people know how to drink, in Healdsburg.
I’m sad to see our pristine coastline littered with more of the capitalistic coporate elite.
More vineyard is not what we need. Who profits? Who wins? Who loses?
Not to mention that these are some already dangerous roads, don’t let tipsy folks on the road with me!
The wine industry, developers and police run our county. The regular man loses, just ask the neighbors who are opposed to this – oh that’s right, no one cares!
dislike.
Wine is great. Tasting rooms, awesome.
Yet again, the great wisdom (or lack thereof) of our elected officials leads us down the path to further sprawl & blight on our collective beautiful countryside all in the name of economic development. Why does the board of supervisors continue not to utilize their “is it appropriate” filter when the big money & influence peddlers get involved.
Has anyone asked why former congressman Doug Bosco was in the audience for a ‘lil tasting room in the country?
Money continues to talk – shame on you Efren & Shirley. I expected as much from the bigot from the north and the short-timer… but not from you both.
So disappointed. So very, very disappointed.
Funny how this story appears on the same day as the story about how our roads are among the worst in the US.
“Tasting and events (ie. weddings)” mean drinking. Given the roads, I can’t imagine a worse location for this operation. The neighbors have legitimate
objections.
Please note that this is a vineyard only and produces no wine on site. So they’re going to truck wine in from Santa Rosa and call this operation “promotion of on-site agriculture?”
Don’t think so, but I’m not in the ag industry.
Supes ok Tasting room.
WHAT no EIR, EPA studies
oh maybe thats just for Quarrys and rebuilding roads