Napa County approves second-ever micro-winery use permit

NAPA COUNTY - On April 24, Napa County approved its second micro-winery permit to Chaix Family Micro-Winery located along Manley Lane in Rutherford.

The approved permit allows for the production of 5,000 gallons of wine annually. It also permits 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 harvest and non-harvest seasons. On-site consumption of wines produced at the winery is also authorized. In addition to these operational permissions, the permit necessitates the installation of a designated parking area and access road improvements to access roads to comply with Napa County road and street standards.

The approval marks a milestone in the county's effort to facilitate the establishment of small wineries. The Chaix Family permit comes six months after county approved its first ever micro-winery permit to Goel Estate Vineyards. Intended to streamline approvals for small wineries, micro-winery permits are reviewed and approved by the county's zoning administrator. The micro-winery ordinance was approved by the Napa County Board of Supervisors in May of 2022, which allows applicants to avoid public hearings, potentially reducing the costs of acquiring a use permit. The permit allows small production of wine (201 up to 5,000 gallons of wine on-site), limited on-site tastings, and direct consumer sales.

"Thanks to the collaborative efforts of county staff and the applicant, the approval process happened relatively quickly," said Napa County Zoning Administrator and Director of Planning, Building and Environmental Services Brian Bordona. "Today's decision is proof that the county's micro-winery permit process is working."

Individuals interested in applying for a micro-winery permit can access the Online Permit Center or download the micro-winery use permit PDF. Pre-application meetings are also available to provide project-specific guidance from county staff. To schedule a pre-application meeting, please visit the Planning Division web page. For inquiries regarding micro-winery use permits, please call 707-253-4417.