After Deadline Historic Vineyard Faces Closure

William Cole Vineyard, photo by Pam-Anela Messenger.

February 18 Update: Since the previous posting county officials have promised to close the vineyard if the Ballentines fail to comply with the directive.

In order to avoid this fate the Ballentines have requested that the County apply the California Historic Building Code (CHBC) to the project which would allow them to bypass or propose alternatives to the plan in order to preserve the integrity of the property. In a letter sent to Stephen Cuddy at the Napa County Landmarks commission earlier this month, Napa County Deputy Planning Director John McDowell informed Cuddy that prior to utilizing the CHBC the Ballentines must first apply for modifications to the property’s zoning permit – a late-stage recommendation which counters earlier discussion between the owners and county officials.

According to Stacey De Shazo, Historic Preservationist at Napa County Landmarks “It's an unfortunate response to our efforts to protect this property as our advocacy alert simply requests use of the CHBC as mandated by State Law." The Ballentines are currently in the process of applying for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, which would allow the property to be governed by less stringent state regulations rather than the county ones which are currently threatening the winery’s future.