Napa County Planning Commission (NCPC) has granted permission to California-based Davies Estates to build a new 30,000gal winery on the Silverado Trail.
The Davies Estates has many buildings and vineyards, but only one of them will be turned into winery, claims the company. It also has vineyards near Angwin and in Rutherford.
The winery had already got permission from the commission in 2002 to build a 20,000gal winery. However, the new owner proposed to increase production by adding additional 10,000gal to bring the total annual production to 30,000gal.
The plan also included construction of a new winery building and caves, and increasing its tours and tastings events.
The Davies Estates co-proprietor Mike Davis told the commission that his wines will be entirely made from Napa County grapes and his goal is to move up to Napa Valley full time in 2015.
Commissioner Bob Fiddaman was quoted by Napa Valley Register.com as saying that he appreciated the fact that the winery will be a family-owned endeavor.
"I'm always happy to see a family show up and pursue their dream," Fiddaman added.
However, other commissioners, including Mike Basayne, raised concerns over the winery's marketing plans and its impact on Napa Valley.
