Home Care In Napa, CA

NAPA VALLEY, CA — Visits and pictures with Santa are treasured traditions for many Napa Valley families. For them, there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person.

Napa Valley kids have several chances this year. Here is a guide to photos-with-Santa events here and in neighboring communities. Some are near, others are kinda far. Some are free, while others have a fee.

Santa At Saint Helena's Wine Barrel Tree | Dec. 9

Santa makes an appearance from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Saint Helena's Holiday Wine Barrel Tree on Main Street at Hunt Avenue for family photo opportunities and more. The Berringer Tree is a unique fusion of art, culture and community spirit in partnership with Beringer Vineyards, The City of St. Helena, St. Helena Parks & Rec, and many local businesses. After Santa Claus moves on to the next town, the tree remains on display through Jan. 2 so bring your friends and family, and snap a photo at Napa Valley's holiday tree. More info here.

Find out what's happening in Napa Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Napa Christmas Parade | Dec. 9

Join the whole Napa community for the annual parade, where floats are decorated over the top with lights and much, much more. The parade is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. along Second, Brown and Third streets in downtown Napa. Plus, meet Santa after the parade for pictures with the kiddos at the Napa Valley Welcome Center at 1300 1st St #313. More info here.

Visit Santa In His Workshop, Ackerman House In Napa | Dec. 9 and Dec. 17

Visit Saint Nick as part of your holiday spirit planning at Ackerman. The iconic Victorian Carriage House becomes Santa’s workshop for December. The photo backdrop is adorned with a festive tree, sparkling garland and dazzling lights to celebrate this special time of year. Families are welcome to visit with Saint Nick and join the Ackerman team in celebrating the holiday season.Make a reservation for a private 15-minute time slot, and an Ackerman team member will take a photo of each family on their personal device. More info here.

Jolly Journeys On Napa Valley Wine Train | Through Dec. 23

Embark on a jolly journey with Santa this holiday season aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train. All aboard for a train ride with Santa from Napa to Yountville and back. Available dates are Dec.7-9, Dec. 14-16 and Dec. 19-23. Prices vary by package. Options include a digital and printed photo with Santa while guests enjoy holiday décor and music, hot cocoa and freshly baked cookies; a tableside visit from Santa; and a merry approachable, yet upscale three-course dining adventure through Napa Valley. Before boarding, guests can enjoy a fun photo with Santa, along with a cup of hot cider or cocoa while carolers sing; make a postcard for Santa; drop off a toy for the holiday drive; and browse all the festive pajama sets for sale in the wine shop. More info here.

Annual Snowman Christmas Tree Lighting at Cornerstone Sonoma | Dec. 2

It's a magical evening at Cornerstone Sonoma as Santa leads the lighting of the Snowman Christmas tree! Get into the holiday spirit with festive lights, Christmas carols, a hot cocoa bar, and savory food curated by Folktable Catering. Capture the moment by taking photos in front of Santa's workshop and visit with Santa to deliver your Christmas wish list to him. Enjoy holiday games and activities for all ages including exploring a life-sized snow globe, Mrs. Claus cookie decorating and craft shop, face painting, glitter tattoo art, balloon creations, and more. More info here.

Merry Healdsburg | Dec. 1

Santa Claus will be at the Healdsburg Plaza on Dec. 1 for the Merry Healdsburg Tree Lighting Celebration. The event is from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, with the tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. — followed by complimentary photos with Santa from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. More info here.

Breakfast With Santa At Costeaux French Bakery, Healdsburg | Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 23

Children near and far are invited to meet Santa Claus during the Breakfast with Santa Program at Costeaux French Bakery. Every Saturday in December, Santa — en route to the North Pole — is onsite from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Children can confess if they have been naughty or nice and share their Christmas wish list with Santa. A digital photo will capture the moment to be cherished for years to come. More info here.

Annual Holiday Tree Lighting, Cotati | Dec. 1

Come join Cotati for its annual Holiday Tree Lighting in La Plaza Park at Old Redwood Highway and West Sierra Avenue. Enjoy food and craft vendors, horse and trolley rides, music, free coffee, hot cocoa, cookies and more. Crafts for children, entertainment and visits with a "special guest" (wink wink) are planned for this fun-filled, magical holiday evening. More info here.

Holiday Lights Celebration, Rohnert Park | Dec. 2

Free community event with lots of family fun. Complimentary holiday treats and drinks as well as kids activities. Food items will be for sale. Free pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Event is from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday outside at the Community Center Complex, 5401 Snyder Lane. Tree lighting is at 6 p.m. and the event will be moved inside if it rains. Light parade was canceled because of forecasted rain. More info here.

Theater Square Tree Lighting, Petaluma | Dec. 2

Basin Street Properties and Petaluma Downtown Association invite you to Light Up The Square for the holidays. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy live music, a laser light show and family fun — rain or shine. Entertainment starts at 5:30 p.m., the tree lighting is at 6:30 p.m. and the event concludes at 7:30 p.m. This event is free to attend. More info here.

Rec The Halls Annual Holiday Celebration, Rohnert Park | Dec. 9

The Callinan Sports and Fitness Center’s annual holiday celebration, Rec the Halls, is from noon - 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec.9. Festivities include writing letters to Santa Claus, raffle prizes, photos with Santa, holiday cookie decorating, free hot chocolate, holiday games, workout demonstrations by certified personal trainers, and more. Admission is free. More info here.

Santa Claus At Santa Rosa Plaza | Through Dec. 24

Santa Claus arrived at Santa Rosa Plaza Nov. 17 and he'll be there until Christmas Eve for holiday photos. Hours vary and walk-up guests are welcome but reservations are encouraged. Those who make a reservation will get a free phone call from Santa powered by Portable North Pole. More info here. And for one special night on Sunday, Dec. 10, bring your pet to pose with Santa from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Don't fur-get to reserve your spot!

Coddingtown Mall, Santa Rosa | Through Dec. 24

Santa arrived at the mall before Thanksgiving to make sure all families had a chance to have their photo taken with him. Holiday mini photo packages are available through Dec. 24. Here are Santa's hours through Christmas Eve: Nov. 27-Dec. 14, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday -Sunday; Dec. 18-23, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday -Friday; Dec. 24, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. More info here.

Weekend Santa Sightings At Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa | Through Dec. 17

Pre-registered time slots are sold out but walk-ins are welcome! Celebrate the holidays and join The Village for photos with Santa from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 17. Santa arrives on a 1970 Volkswagen Transporter for a unique and retro photo opportunity. For a $10 donation, each family receives a print to take away the day of, as well as a digital copy of their photo following. All proceeds benefit the Sonoma County Secret Santa Program. More info here.

Petaluma Downtown Holiday Marketplace & Merchant Open House, Kentucky Street | Dec. 2

If you missed Santa's arrival by tugboat the weekend after Thanksgiving, we heard he is still in the Petaluma area and will appear Saturday at the maker's marketplace on Kentucky Street. The annual holiday open house — from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 20 Fourth St. — showcases local vendors and downtown businesses selling that perfect holiday gift. Santa and Mrs. Claus will join the festivities from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for pictures and to see those Christmas lists. Guests will also be treated to live holiday music from The Pacific Empire Chorus, dancing performances from The Apple Tree Morris Dancers, balloon animals and face painting for the kids. More info here.

Free Photo With Santa At Bass Pro Shops | Through Dec. 24

Santa is at Bass Pro Shops in San Jose, Manteca and Rocklin through Christmas Eve for Santa’s Wonderland, which includes a free 4x6 photo —and shareable video — taken with Santa Claus himself. Reservations are encouraged. More info here.

Macy's, Union Square, San Francisco | Through Dec. 24.

Santa will also be at Macy’s stores in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Orlando. In San Francisco, the jolly Mr. Claus arrived at Macy's Union Square on Nov. 24 and remains onsite through Christmas Eve — except for quick nighttime flights home to the North Pole when children all around the Bay Area are fast asleep. Reservations are required and should be made online at Macys.com/s/holiday-celebrations/sanfrancisco five days before your visit.

This year, Santa is in a new location on the sixth floor, overlooking Union Square. While you are there, be sure to take in the sight of the Great Tree in Union Square. We hear there are also real puppies and kittens up for adoption at Macy's this holiday season in partnership with the San Francisco SPCA. Adoptable puppies and kittens are ready to find their fur-ever homes as they romp and play in Macy's famed holiday windows. More info here.

Happy Holidays!

Even if it's not grape-stomping season, there are plenty of reasons to plan a Napa vacation.

Whether you're in the mood for a wine-filled girlfriend getaway or a romantic winery outing with a loved one, Napa Valley has plenty to offer visitors of every style, taste, and budget. From practicing yoga under the stars and hiking in the Mayacamas to bathing in the famously healing Calistoga mud and savoring fried chicken in Yountville, there are so many things to love about this part of Northern California.

While there really is no "bad" time to plan a trip here, especially if you're someone who doesn't mind wearing layers, it all depends on what you want to do and how many people you're willing to do it with. Historically, the most popular time to visit Napa Valley has been from spring through summer, coinciding with school breaks and summer vacation. This period from Memorial Day through August is known for long, warm days and cool nights, and an incredibly stacked calendar of concerts and family-friendly festivals happening throughout the region.

Visiting in autumn offers an inside look at the wine-making process at harvest time, while a spring trip lets you view the vineyards during the colorful bud break and mustard seasons.

In general, these are the most and least popular times to visit Napa Valley:

Whether your priority is to avoid the crowds or embrace everything there is to love about popular area wineries, here's a look at the best times of the year to visit Napa Valley — and when you should avoid it.

20 Best Things to Do in Napa Valley

Best Times to Visit Napa Valley for Smaller Crowds

While January, February, and March, in particular, are slow due in part to it being the area's rainy season, it's still a fun time to be in Napa Valley, with enough sunshine and warm weather during the daytime to warrant a trip to the nearest winery. It's an attractive time to visit as well since these months tend to be quiet and relaxed, with good rates at hotels.

Since March to mid-May is considered to be Napa Valley's shoulder season, you'll see fewer crowds than in busier times of the year — especially in summer and during the fall harvest season — and experience a comfortable combination of warm days and cooler nights.

Best Times to Visit Napa Valley for Good Weather

When it comes to good weather in Napa Valley, spring is ideal. The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and the vines are waking up after winter. This glorious moment is known as bud break, when the vines glow in a neon green hue and unfurl new leaves.

Crush season, which lasts from mid-August through October, is also a lovely time to visit the valley. This early fall annual grape harvest period is marked by vines heavy with juicy fruit — about as photogenic as it gets — and is an exciting time to be in the middle of all the action when vintners kick off the fermentation process. The weather is near perfect, and while it can still get quite hot during the day, the temperatures tend to drop a bit after the sun sets. That's why the best rule of thumb when packing for a Napa trip during any month of the year is to bring layers.

This California Destination Is One of the Best Wine Regions in the World

Best Times to Visit Napa Valley for Lower Prices

One of the area's sleepier times happens from mid-fall to spring, also known as Cabernet season, which follows the Napa Valley harvest and occurs when the wineries release their new cabernets. For those in the know, it's a favorite time to be in the valley. During this stretch, hotel rates are at their lowest — more specifically, the best prices are usually found from November to mid-February, and midweek. There's also more access to winemakers this time of year, while reservations at sought-after Michelin-starred restaurants like Kenzo and The French Laundry are easier to get.

The Winter in the Wineries Passport is a great deal, spanning from early December to early February, with free tastings at 19 wineries, complimentary corkage at certain restaurants, and discounts at select Calistoga hotels, spas, and shops. Napa Valley Restaurant Week is another wintertime draw, featuring discounts at coveted restaurants for 10 days in late January.

If you're staying in St. Helena, the Little Book of Big Experiences wine passport offers private tastings, food and wine pairings, and samplings of rare-batch wines all for one price. It's only available for purchase for a limited time each year and valid from November through March, so make sure you book as early as possible.

Best Times to Visit Napa Valley for Wine Tours

Even with so much happening in Napa Valley, let's be honest, the wine is the main event. For the best experience, plan ahead. Although some tasting rooms take walk-ins, most wineries only accept visitors by appointment. Having a reservation helps to make your experience more personalized and enriching.

If you’re interested in the wine-making process, plan your visit during the harvest season, which typically occurs from mid-August through October. At this time of year, you can expect to see winemakers picking grapes from the vines, and some places offer behind-the-scenes tours, so check with your preferred winery before you go.

During mustard season in February and March, the vibrant yellow cover crop explodes into tiny blooms that carpet vineyards throughout the valley. Spring is a great time to see the bud break, when the vines emerge from their winter slumber and new shoots that will soon produce grapes can be seen breaking through in a sea of green dots throughout the vineyard. The region is also rife with wildflowers from late March through June.

The 14 Best Wineries in Napa, According to Wine Experts

Worst Times to Visit Napa Valley

If you're hoping to avoid the crowds, don't come to Napa Valley during the summer when the kids are off from school or at the height of the harvest season in the fall. There are also some other weather-related risks to be aware of year-round, though they're not necessarily deal breakers if you plan ahead and stay on top of things if and when they happen.

According to Napa Valley’s tourism website, the area accumulates roughly 27 inches of rain each year, most of which falls in the wintertime from December to March. The region may also experience mudslides if rainfall hits the three to four inches per day mark, which causes the soil to become dangerously oversaturated. Unfortunately, this can be a real risk in the rainy season following a major wildfire, as there’s more debris on the ground than usual, just waiting to be swept up in the flow.

While wildfires are possible any time of year, they can be particularly prominent in this part of Northern California from July through October, depending on the temperature, dryness of the land, and how strong the winds are, among other factors. The Frontline Wildfire Defense website has a nifty map that tracks California wildfires so you can stay on top of things throughout your trip, just in case.

The newly remodeled facility provides seniors with a welcoming environment where they can participate in various recreational activities.

Patch Staff

Press release from the City of Napa:

October 2023

NAPA, CA — The Napa Senior Activity Center is excited to announce the launch of new amenities and programs that enhance the well-being and active lifestyles of seniors in the Napa community. With a recently remodeled facility, a diverse and talented staff, impactful partnerships and an array of engaging activities, there has never been a better time for seniors to get active, connected and find their community.

“We believe that age should never be a barrier to a high quality of life. Our goal at the Senior Center is to provide our residents with fulfilling recreation and educational opportunities that enrich their lives in unexpected ways,” said Steve Potter, Napa City Manager.

The newly remodeled facility provides seniors with a welcoming environment where they can participate in various recreational activities. From fitness classes tailored specifically for older adults to meditation sessions promoting mental well-being, there is a wide range of high-quality programs available for Napa older adults.

Find out what's happening in Napa Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In addition to physical fitness programs, art enthusiasts can explore their creative side. For those looking for social interaction while learning something new, dance classes offer both entertainment and exercise benefits. To register for classes and search the directory, use the easy online catalog at www.cityofnapa.org/catalog. In-person assistance is available at the Senior Center Mon-Fri from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“The Napa Senior Activity Center is a special place that is always bustling with activity,” said Breyana Brandt, Parks and Recreation Director. “Because of this, the Senior Center is actively seeking charismatic individuals to join their team of volunteers or instructors and lead classes and seminars. If you’re looking for a way to get more involved in your community and give back to older residents, this would be a great opportunity.”

Inclusivity is at the heart of everything the Napa Senior Activity Center does, as it strives to make activities and workshops accessible to all residents, regardless of income levels. Scholarships for paid programs and activities are available for those who qualify based on certain income thresholds. The Napa Senior Activity Center also has bilingual staff dedicated to expanding programs for the Latinx community, fostering cultural diversity and strengthening community bonds.

As part of its commitment to being an important resource center for older adults in the community, the Napa Senior Activity Center partners with Community Action of Napa Valley (CANV) to provide nutritious meals. The Senior Activity Center is the only congregate meal site in the county, offering hot meals three times a week on-site for a suggested donation of $4.50 per meal.

Getting to the Napa Senior Activity Center is hassle-free, thanks to transportation options. Seniors can use Taxi Scrip, Vine Go, or use Vine Bus routes, which are available through Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA), making it easy to access the center’s activities. Senior Center is also centrally located in Napa which residents can walk, bike and drive to at 1500 Jefferson Street.

With an array of programs and classes, there is always something happening at the Napa Senior Activity Center. To stay up to date on the latest happenings and monthly special events, sign up for the Senior Center Newsletter at www.CityofNapa.org/NotifyMe. The first issue can be viewed here.

The Senior Activity Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and can be reached at 707-255-1800.

This press release was produced by the City of Napa. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

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California winemakers walking fine line between ripe and rot due to weather

A wet winter and cool spring and summer presented Napa vintner John Anthony Truchard an opportunity for flavorful and abundant wines but he has to gamble on the weather.

NAPA, Calif. – A historically stormy winter followed by a relatively cool spring and summer pushed Napa's grape harvest well into fall leaving the fruit susceptible to autumn storms and chills, winemakers said that waiting game has so far paid off in terms of quantity and quality.

John Anthony Truchard, founder and CEO of John Anthony Family of Wines, said that Napa has seen a shorter growing season with lots of sun and heat in recent years. Harvest started as early as late August for grapes for sparkling wine. In those years, all the fruit could be in by the end of October.

"More typical in Napa Valley is a longer growing season where we may still have 5-10% to harvest in November," Truchard said. "This year, due to a wet winter and spring earlier this year followed by a cooler summer, that number could be as much as 15-20% still to harvest in November."

WHAT DOES ALL THIS RAIN IN CALIFORNIA MEAN FOR THE WINE?

(John Anthony Vineyards, Napa Valley / FOX Weather)

Bud break, bloom and veraison (grapes turning from green to purple) ran two to four weeks later than usual, according to John Anthony Vineyards' blog. Minimal heat waves with temperatures in the 90s and 100s slowed ripening. But "late is great," said the blog.

"With the slight heat spikes we’ve had late in the 2023 growing season, it looks to be not only a heavy-yield vintage with plenty of the ripeness development we’ve been looking for, but also a year of excellent quality," Truchard said. "An extended hang time allows the grapes maximum opportunity to develop flavor and intensity."

HOW WEATHER CAN IMPACT WINE PRODUCTION

(John Anthony Vineyards, Napa Valley)

Ripeness and rot: Concerns of a late harvest

So far the gamble of patiently waiting for grapes to ripen has been a win in the form of large crops and excellent quality, according to Truchard.

"The reason harvest is late is we’re waiting for the sugars and physiological ripening of the grapes," Truchard said. "Sugar accumulation is easy to measure and is purely quantitative. 'Ripeness' is an art, a stylistic choice of the winemaker. In a warm year, you can choose to pick early, mid or late in the growing season to achieve the wine’s style. In a cooler year, the risk is whether the vine can achieve the level of ripeness the winemaker wants for that intended style."

NAPA VALLEY 2020: THE LOST VINTAGE TO WILDFIRE SMOKE

(John Anthony Vineyards / FOX Weather)

DISCOVERY COULD PREVENT GRAPES TAINTED BY WILDFIRE SMOKE FROM RUINING WINE

The color, flavor, acid levels and tannins factor into taste and style.

So far, Napa Valley has only seen two quick rains, which Truchard called a nuisance, not a problem. Rain and cool weather could trigger rot for grapes on the vine. Too much rain can cause the berry to swell and split as it pulls in the water. Excess water also dilutes sugars.

Low temperatures this weekend will flirt with the freezing mark in areas. That could force a pick before grapes are ripe.

TROPICAL STORM HILARY'S MARCH THROUGH CALIFORNIA COULD LEAD TO TABLE GRAPE SHORTAGE

(FOX Weather)

"This is something Napa doesn’t have a lot of experience with," Truchard said. "Should this happen, the best solution is to pick immediately. The frost would break the cell walls of the grapes down and if you were to let the grapes stay in the field too long after the frost, the berries would start fermenting on the vine, which isn’t ideal."

Portfolio includes Weather and JaM Cellers with Butter

The second-generation vintner, who has started best-selling brands such as Butter and premier labels such as John Anthony, has spent decades watching the weather hurt and harm his grapes.

One of his wines is called "Weather" as a tribute to the force of nature that can define the success or failure of a vintage.

"Weather is the force that determines the fate of a grapevine more directly than any other," explained the brand's website. "It was the weather that created the soils the grapes grow in and it’s weather that dictates the vintage."

(Andreas Rentz / Getty Images)

Truchard said he hopes the fragile balance of sun, shade, heat, cold, rain and humidity will culminate in exceptional wine for vintage 2023.

"The slight variation of even one element shifts the ethereal beauty of these fragile, thin-skinned grapes, creating wines with astounding individualism and character," the brand's website said.

NAPA COUNTY, CA — Napa County announced the approval Wednesday of its second-ever micro-winery permit.

The honors went to Chaix Family Micro-Winery along Manley Lane in Rutherford, now permitted to produce 5,000 gallons of wine annually. The permit also allows 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.

Onsite consumption of wines produced at the winery is also authorized. In addition to these operational permissions, the permit calls for the addition of a designated parking area and improvements to access roads compliant with county standards.

The county's micro-winery ordinance was approved in May 2022 by the Napa County Board of Supervisors and allows applicants to avoid public hearings, potentially reducing the costs of acquiring a use permit. The permit allows the small production of wine — 201 up to 5,000 gallons — onsite, limited onsite tastings and direct-to-consumer sales.

To streamline approvals for small wineries, the county's zoning administrator reviews and approves micro-winery permits.

Find out what's happening in Napa Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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

The Chaix Family of today — brother and sister team John Chaix and Kathy Chaix and their families — pay homage to their great-grandfather and great-uncle, brothers A.P. Chaix and Jean Chaix, respectively, who came to Napa Valley in the 1800s from France with solid winemaking knowledge and vine cuttings from the Médoc — Bordeaux's "left bank."

In 1877, Jean Chaix co-founded the ninth winery in California on the present-day site of Napa Valley Wine Company in Oakville. In 1884, not to be outdone by his brother, A.P. founded the French-American Wine Company, with vineyards and wineries in Rutherford, Healdsburg and Cloverdale. (He would purchase the current Chaix Family Vineyards property, on the Rutherford Bench, in 1909.)

The sibling rivalry continued when Jean Chaix and partner, Jean Brun, planted a vineyard on Howell Mountain and in 1886 erected California’s 13th bonded winery — a pioneering example of gravity-flow design, now occupied by CADE estate. The duo also ran a successful grapevine nursery, stocked with 100,000 cuttings of French varieties.

The Chaix brothers were instrumental in shaping Napa Valley as a world-renowned wine region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their wines won international recognition at the Paris Exhibition Universelle in 1889, at the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition and elsewhere.

The Prohibition mostly halted this work although A.P. Chaix, great-grandfather of the current Chaix Family owners, continued to ship bulk wine to destinations such as New Orleans. After Prohibition, A.P. Chaix converted much of the Rutherford property to orchards, growing prunes and walnuts. The Chaix family line continued to tend a field blend of old vines and never lost the connection with viticulture, or the land.

After the Judgment of Paris tasting in 1976 that put Napa Valley wines back on the map, the family took a leap of faith and revived the family tradition of grape-growing. These days, the family tends to at least 34 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon of several clones in seven unique blocks.

The approval of Chaix Family Micro-Winery as a bonafide micro-winery marks a milestone not only for the family but also for Napa County's effort to facilitate the establishment of small wineries. The Chaix Family permit comes six months after the county approved its first-ever micro-winery permit for Goel Estate Vineyards.

"After 150 years in the valley, finally getting a seat at the table feels nice," John Chaix told Patch.

Two applicants out of St. Louis, Missouri, got approval in October for Goel Estate Vineyards, off Cuttings Wharf Road near Milton Road, to produce up to 5,000 gallons a year in a renovated barn in Carneros. The applicants' 20-acre parcel is on well water and features about 14 acres of planted vineyards, a residence and a 7,000-square-foot barn built in 1978.

The barn once used to grow mushrooms would be transformed into a 5,000-square-foot winery with a tasting room and a 2,000-square-foot crush pad. Of the two wells on the property, one would be for the winery and the other for a residence. Approval was for 10 visitors a day, three employees, a six-car parking lot, and the installation of a new wastewater treatment system and an above-ground water storage tank.

A nonprofit organization called Save the Family Farms Napa Valley, which advocated for a streamlined micro-winery permitting process in Napa County, lists 14 "Verified Micro-Producers" on its website.

The group states:

"This esteemed title is supported by Save the Family Farms and celebrates the essence of Napa Valley's origin through a farm-to-bottle narrative and educational experiences as told by Napa Valley’s Micro-Producers.

"Verified Napa Valley Micro-Producers promise wine enthusiasts an authentic connection to Napa Valley's small family farm heritage. When supporting a Verified Micro-Producer, enthusiasts of ultra-small-batch Napa Valley wines have the unique opportunity to gain insights directly from the farmer, the owner and the winemaker who are also the people who answer the phones, write the emails and handle nearly all aspects of their operations with their own two hands. This small business self-sufficiency enables Micro-Producers the freedom to experiment in the vineyard and the cellar too, and they are often celebrated for being at the forefront of innovative winemaking techniques and sustainable agricultural practices.

"At the intersection of innovation and differentiated consumer experiences, Micro-Producers stand as shining examples of the artisanal approach to Napa Valley winemaking. Their small size, coupled with a true back-to-the-land movement, enables wine enthusiasts to gain incomparable insights into the craft, passion and artistry behind each bottle of wine. Wine enthusiasts are encouraged to seek out and support Verified Micro-Producers, as it grants them access to a facet of the Napa Valley that often go undiscovered — a world where passion, tradition, and craftsmanship converge to create unparalleled wines and experiences."

To be considered for this prestigious designation, the group states, wine producers must meet specific criteria in alignment with the Napa County Micro-Winery Ordinance. These include:

The county has an Online Permit Center with a micro-winery use permit PDF for download.

The county offers pre-application meetings to provide project-specific guidance from county staff; interested parties can visit the Planning Division web page.

For inquiries regarding the micro-winery permit, call 707-253-4417.