One of the aspects of the wine country in Napa Valley that contributes the most to its beauty is the topography. The rolling hills and surrounding mountain ranges afford the region more than beauty though, as the elevation changes impact the micro-climates and dictate the nature of the soil conditions. Rightfully so, Napa County is extremely protective of the land which lends so much to the local economy. And so, if your wish to develop or plant vineyards on the hillsides, even if you are merely expanding existing vineyards on your property, you must get Napa County’s approval to do so. Any owners wishing to do any planting on land with a grade of more than a five percent grade, up to a thirty percent grade, must file an erosion control plan. There is no planting on a grade higher than thirty percent.
Four Napa County growers have recently given notice of their intention to expand their vineyards and filed their plans regarding erosion control totaling more than one thousand acres in the Vaca Mountain Range stretching between Circle Oaks and Rutherford in Napa Valley. Currently less than ten percent of Napa County is planted with vineyards, though that is approaching the maximum acreage which is suitable or legal for such.
The four local wineries proposing expansion:
- Walt Ranch expanding from five acres to 400 within 2300
- Stagecoach Vineyards, 90 acres being added to 541, within an 1130 acre property
- Rodgers/Upper Range Vineyard adding 161 acres within its 678
- Circle S Ranch expanding from 26 acres currently planted, to 337 within 1593
These four local wineries all reside on the east side of Napa Valley in the hills and mountain range which hold topography exceeding a five percent grade, and therefore must file the erosion control plans with Napa County. Planting within Napa County takes commitment. The erosion control plan that is required is a three-hundred page document and the process of dealing with the numerous bureaus and issues can take years before approval is granted.
