Dairyman Winery & Event Center in the Laguna "corked for now"

[Shepherd]

The following article appeared today in the online version of Sonoma West, with some good quotes from Preserve Rural Sonoma County's Padi Selwyn. Please pass the word on this, and appreciate SW for breaking this news with your positive comments. I hope the PD will soon follow, as well as the Bohemian.

Though this is an important victory, it does not mean that Dairyman will stop its intentions to locate itself in the fragile Laguna de Santa Rosa. We must remain vigilant and active in our support of the environment and food farming.

https://i.imgur.com/yv1Iu.png (https://www.sonomawest.com/sonoma_west_times_and_news/)
Proposed Dairyman Winery and event center corked for now

A recent written response from the Sonoma County Regional Parks said that the land owner currently has no legal rights to cross the trail.

Posted: Wednesday, December 16, 2015
by Krista Sherer Sonoma West Editor

https://www.waccobb.net/forums/waccobb/keep90days/2015-12-17_12-45-39.pngThe contentious Dairyman project hit an obstacle in September with the response from the Sonoma County Regional Parks denying access across the Joe Rodota trail for the project.

Residents and community groups throughout Sonoma County have opposed the project from the beginning, voicing that the large-scale winery and event center would not only violate zoning to the trail drastically effecting traffic, harm the ecosystem to the Laguna de Santa Rosa and negatively influence the overall character to the rural charm of West County.

In a Sept. 17 letter from Sonoma County Regional Parks (SCRP) Director Caryl Hart to Permit and Resource Management Department’s (PMRD) Supervising Planner Traci Tesconi, Hart wrote that the land owner currently has no legal rights to cross the trail and crosses at the county’s sufferance.

The letter also goes on to state that in 2012, an engineer for the applicant had begun discussion with the Regional Parks about obtaining an easement from the county. There was more correspondence in 2013 about the agreement and a representative of JJW Estate LLC provided Regional Parks with an appraisal for an access easement.

“The current driveway that crosses the trail is a narrow dirt road to access the vineyards. The appraiser was apparently not made aware of the applicant’s plans and did not discuss them. All previous discussions occurred before it was disclosed to Regional Parks that the applicant was seeking an access point for a large and crossing-intensive project.”

To continue reading, go to: https://www.sonomawest.com/sonoma_west_times_and_news/news/proposed-dairyman-winery-and-event-center-corked-for-now/article_2f5a2540-a43f-11e5-804e-3be0382d8f21.html

[Shepherd]

Following is a wise response from one of the grape growers/wine makers in our www.winewaterwatch.org (https://www.winewaterwatch.org) network. She draws attention to the "for now" in the Sonoma West headline. This struggle with Dairyman may not be over. As she says, this is not a time that "the sentries can sleep." We hope that some of the local reporters will further investigate this issue. Keep your eyes open and keep us posted.

Meanwhile, Joe Wagner is expanding his Wine Empire into Solano County, where residents may be more open than here.
"Keep up the pressure,"
Shepherd

"Great news. BUT... Just because there's peace in the village, doesn't mean the sentries can sleep! That "for now" concerns me.

Joe Wagner is the wine industry's golden boy at the moment. His sale of Meomi (for over $315 million) has enabled the Caymus related brands to place full color ads in all the wine publications which, unfortunately, buys accolades across the board. His common blend (Meomi) had garnered the number 20 spot on Wine Spectator's so-called "Best Wines of the World" issue last month*.

I spoke with a farmer who told me that Wagner requires 7 tons of fruit per acre if they want a contract!!! That is far from any definition of the word, "sustainable". That kind of farming requires a shitload of water to accommodate double fruit zones and tighter spacing as well as possibly using growth-inducing agents. Normal yields that produce quality fruit is around 2 tons per acre (of course, that can vary either way). Kinda brings me back to watching him speak in front of the Sebastopol CC meeting last spring. Lies.

*Industry watchdog groups have determined a direct correlation between the amount of money spent on ads in wine industry pubs vs. mentions, scores, accolades and "best buy" articles.

What this means is that he'll have tremendous backing in lobbying for projects and new vineyard installation. Did I mention the money? He sold Meomi for $315M. He's got the money. There isn't a modern day "winemaker" who does not want to win that lottery. We must keep up the pressure at every turn.


...Proposed Dairyman Winery and event center corked for now...