In a move to foster the growth of smaller scale wineries, Napa County approved its second micro-winery permit to Chaix Family Micro-Winery located on Manley Lane in Rutherford.
The greenlighted permit allows the production of 5,000 gallons of wine annually and authorizes tours and tastings for groups of up to 10 guests per day, seven days a week, with a maximum of 70 people per week during both harvest and non-harvest seasons.
On-site consumption of wines produced at micro-wineries is also allowed. The permit, however, mandates establishing a designated parking area and upgrading access roads to comply with Napa County road and street standards.
Napa County staff and the applicant collaborated effectively, expediting the approval process,” Brian Bordona, Napa County Zoning Administrator and Director of Planning, Building, and Environmental Services, said. “Today's decision is a testament to the efficiency of the county's micro-winery permit process.”
Micro-winery permits are evaluated and approved by the county’s zoning administrator, eliminating the need for public hearings, potentially getting rid of costs associated with obtaining a use permit.
The micro-winery ordinance, passed by the Napa County Board of Supervisors in May 2022, allows winemakers to engage in small-scale wine production (ranging from 201 up to 5,000 gallons of wine on-site), limited on-site tastings and direct consumer sales.
This approval, according to the press release, signifies an important step in the county's initiative to facilitate the strengthening of smaller mom-and-pop wineries. Following the approval of its first micro-winery permit to Goel Estate Vineyards six months ago, the Chaix Family permit followed, with other applications anticipated to soon come in.
