TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Brian D. Bordona, Director of Planning, Building and Environmental Services
REPORT BY: Emily Hedge, Planner III
SUBJECT: Hagafen Cellars Winery Appeal
RECOMMENDATION
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Open and move to continue the public hearing for Hagafen Cellars Winery appeal, filed by Ariane Matschullat/Weathervane Ranch LLC (Appellant), concerning the decisions made by the Napa County Planning Commission on April 1, 2026, to find the project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act and approve Use Permit Major Modification P19-00121- MOD. (No Fiscal Impact.)
(Appellant, Applicant and staff request a continuance to August 11, 2026, at 9:00 AM.)
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BACKGROUND
The matter before the Board involves an appeal filed by Appellant concerning the decisions made by the Napa County Planning Commission on April 1, 2026, to find the project categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and approve Winery Use Permit Major Modification No. P19-00121-MOD for Hagafen Cellars Winery.
This application was submitted to participate in the County’s Code Compliance Program as described in Resolution No. 2018-164 adopted by the Napa County Board of Supervisors on December 4, 2018. The proposal is to grant a Use Permit Major Modification to an existing 50,000-gallon winery to remedy existing violations through recognition and approval of existing days of operation, existing days allowing retail sales, and levels of visitation. Approval and recognition of these activities will require improvements to the existing driveway to comply with the Napa County Road and Street Standards. The approval also revises prior conditions of approval regarding annual reporting on multiple winery operations and noticing of all marketing events.
The project is located on an approximately 12.28-acre parcel within the Agricultural Preserve (AP) zoning district with a General Plan land use designations of Agricultural Resource (AR) at 4160 Silverado Trail, Napa (APN 039-130-002).
On April 1, 2026, the Planning Commission voted to approve the project. On April 15, 2026, a timely notice of intent to appeal was filed by Appellant and a timely appeal packet was submitted on April 29, 2026.
The hearing is being opened today to comply with the 90-day scheduling deadline in the County’s Appeals ordinance (County Code Chapter 2.88) and all parties request a continuance to August 11, 2026. Staff presentation and public testimony will not occur at the June 2, 2026, meeting. Applicant, Appellant and Staff all support the continuance.
Documents associated with the Winery Use Permit Major Modification No. P19-00121-MOD and this appeal record (No. P26-00125-APL) are available for review in the Napa County Department of Planning, Building and Environmental Services, and at: https://napa.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7963273&GUID=69C2ECE2-0D2B-4718-9804-5EE29A177AC3
PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Chair introduces and opens the public hearing.
2. Motion by a Board member, second by another Board member, and a vote by the Board to continue the hearing to August 11, 2026, at 9:00 AM.
FISCAL IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
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Where is it budgeted? |
All County staff costs associated with this Appeal will be fully reimbursed by the Applicant on a time and materials basis as set in County Fee Policy 80.060. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
The Applicant and the Appellant will be unable to explore a potential resolution. |
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Additional Information: |
Strategic Initiative: Preserve Napa County’s Agricultural Legacy |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: Consideration and intention to find the project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). It has been determined that this type of project does not have a significant effect on the environment and is exempt from CEQA. The project will not impact an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern, has no cumulative impact, there is no reasonable possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances, will not result in damage to scenic resources, is not located on a list of hazardous waste sites, or cause substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. As proposed the project meets the criteria for eligibility as Categorically Exempt from CEQA under Classes 1 and 4. [See Class 1 (“Existing Facilities”) and Class 4 (“Minor Alterations to Land”), which may be found in the guidelines for the implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act at 14 CCR §15301, §15304]. The project site is not included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5.