TO: NAPA COUNTY ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: Riley Hebb for Brian D. Bordona - Planning, Building, Environmental Services Director
REPORT BY: Riley Hebb, Planner II
SUBJECT: The Wine Half Marathon 2026
RECOMMENDATION
title
The Wine Half Marathon 2026 - Category 4 Temporary Event Application #P25-00304
CEQA Status: Ministerially Exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The project site is not included in the list of hazardous materials sites pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5.
Request: Approval of an application for Temporary Event License P25-00304 filed by Tiffany Eicholz of Never Run Out, LLC to hold The Wine Half Marathon 2026. This event will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 8:00am-12:00pm with a maximum of 600 people in attendance and will feature a half marathon running course through vineyards, wineries, and along public roads. This event is proposed to be held on twenty-one (21) parcels starting at Quintessa Winery located at 1501 Silverado Trail, St Helena, CA, and will take place across the following Assessor’s Parcels # 030-060-055-000, 030-060-060-000, 030-060-062-000, 030-060-063-000, 030-090-033-000, 030-090-040-000, 030-090-003-000, 030-090-041-000, 030-090-044-000, 030-090-039-000, 030-140-024-000, 030-140-025-000, 030-140-008-000, 030-140-018-000, 031-030-015-000, 031-030-016-000, 031-030-017-000, 031-080-030-000, 031-080-020-000, 031-070-026-000, and 031-220-023-000.
Staff Recommendation: Find that the project is Ministerially Exempt from CEQA and approve the Temporary Event Application.
Staff Contact: Riley Hebb, Planner II, (707) 299-1334 or Riley.Hebb@countyofnapa.org
Applicant Contact: Tiffany Eicholz, Event Planner, Never Run Out, LCC, (707) 266-8357, tiffany@thewinemarathon.com
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
That the Zoning Administrator:
1. Find that the project is Ministerially Exempt from the CEQA; and
2. Approve the Temporary Event Category 4 License P25-00304.
Discussion: On December 9, 2025, Tiffany Eicholz applied for a permit for a Category 4 Temporary event to be held over 21 parcels on May 9, 2026 for a maximum of 600 people from 8:00am-12:00pm, and will feature a half marathon running course through vineyards (utilizing internal vineyard lanes, wineries- Quintessa, Honig, Frog‘s Leap, Round Pond, Silver Oak, B Cellars, and Cliff Lede), and along public roads (Silverado Trail, Conn Creek Road and Rutherford Road (St. Highway 128), Skellenger Lane, Money Road, Oakville Cross Road, Yountville Cross Road, Finnell Road, Yount Street, and Washington Street). The event will end at the post-race Wine Village located at the City of Yountville Community Center located at 6514 Washington Street. This event will be open to the public and limited by the number of tickets sold.
Unlike conditional use permits or other discretionary permits, temporary event permits are ministerial and shall be approved and issued if the minimum standards contained in the “Minimum Standards Table” of the Temporary Events Manual (the Minimum Standards) are met. Since the permit is ministerial, the purpose of the hearing is for the Zoning Administrator to evaluate and consider evidence regarding whether the applicant has demonstrated that the minimum standards have been met or are likely to have been met prior to the event. The Zoning Administrator cannot impose standards, conditions, or restrictions on the permit beyond what is provided in the Minimum Standards. As such, the public comment should be limited to whether the Minimum Standards have or have not been met or will likely be met before the event permit. Any permits, approvals or authorizations required from other agencies, departments, or divisions must be satisfied prior to the event.
A temporary event license is a ministerial permit and therefore, such action is final and not subject to the appeal provisions under Napa County Code 2.88.
Staff recommend approval of the request permit subject to compliance with County Code Chapter 5.36 and all applicable Minimum Standards in the Temporary Events Manual prior to the event.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: Pursuant to Napa County’s Local Procedures for Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Sections 15022 and 15268 of the State CEQA Guidelines issuance/approval of a temporary event license shall be conclusively presumed to be ministerially exempt from the requirements of CEQA and thus preparation of an environmental document is not required. The project site is not included on a list of hazardous materials sites complied pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Applicant/Representative: Tiffany Eicholz, Event Planner, Never Run Out, LLC, (707) 266-8357, tiffany@thewinemarathon.com
Proposed Half Marathon Route Properties:
Assessor’s Parcel #: 030-060-063-000 (Quintessa Winery)
1501 Silverado Trail, St Helena
Property Owner: Tremont Vista LLC
General Plan Designation: Agriculture, Watershed, and Open Space (AWOS) and Agricultural Resource (AR)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 19.53 acres
Assessor’s Parcel #: 030-060-055-000 (Vineyards)
Property Owner: Angaston Limited Liability Company
General Plan Designation: Agriculture, Watershed, and Open Space (AWOS) and Agricultural Resource (AR)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 45.8 acres
Assessor’s Parcel #: 030-060-060-000 (Vineyards)
Property Owner: Huneeus Chantre Properties LLC
General Plan Designation: Agriculture, Watershed, and Open Space (AWOS)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 8.38 acres
Assessor’s Parcel #: 030-060-062-000 (Vineyards)
Property Owner: Clarevale Limited Liability Company
General Plan Designation: Agriculture, Watershed, and Open Space (AWOS) and Agricultural Resource (AR)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 5.79 acres
Assessor’s Parcel #: 030-090-033-000 (Frogs Leap Winery)
8815 Conn Creek Road, Rutherford
Property Owner: Frogs Leap Winery
General Plan Designation: Agricultural Resource (AR)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 38.92 acres
Assessor’s Parcel #: 030-090-040-000 (Vineyards)
Property Owner: Red Barn Ranch LLC
General Plan Designation: Agricultural Resource (AR)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 61.46 acres
Assessor’s Parcel #: 030-090-003-000 (Honig Cellars Winery)
880 Rutherford Road, Rutherford
Property Owner: Honig Vineyard and Winery LLC
General Plan Designation: Agricultural Resource (AR)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 67 acres
Assessor’s Parcel #: 030-090-041-000 (Vineyards)
Property Owner: Red Barn Ranch LLC
General Plan Designation: and Agricultural Resource (AR)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 40.12 acres
Assessor’s Parcel #: 030-090-044-000 (Vineyards)
Property Owner: Hills Vineyards
General Plan Designation: Agricultural Resource (AR)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 34.6 acres
Assessor’s Parcel #: 030-090-039-000 (Residence)
Property Owner: Charles Bracher and Ryan MacDonnell Trust
General Plan Designation: Agricultural Resource (AR)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 3.33 acres
Assessor’s Parcel #: 030-140-018-000 (Vineyards)
Property Owner: Diane Wilsey Trust
General Plan Designation: Agricultural Resource (AR)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 40.2 acres
Assessor’s Parcel #: 030-140-024-000 (Round Pond Winery & Vineyards)
875 Rutherford Road, Rutherford
Property Owner: Round Pond
General Plan Designation: Agricultural Resource (AR)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 46.23 acres
Assessor’s Parcel #: 030-140-025-000 (Vineyards)
Property Owner: Round Pond
General Plan Designation: Agricultural Resource (AR)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 41.03 acres
Assessor’s Parcel #: 030-140-008-000 (Vineyards)
Property Owner: Round Pond
General Plan Designation: Agricultural Resource (AR)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 40 acres
Assessor’s Parcel #: 031-030-015-000 (Vineyards)
Property Owner: SPP Napa Vineyards LLC
General Plan Designation: Agricultural Resource (AR)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 43.83 acres
Assessor’s Parcel #: 031-030-016-000 (Vineyards)
Property Owner: Gargiulo Vineyard LLC
General Plan Designation: Agricultural Resource (AR)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 40.08 acres
Assessor’s Parcel #: 031-030-017-000 (Vineyards)
Property Owner: Gail and Kenneth Laird Trust
General Plan Designation: Agricultural Resource (AR)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 76.25 acres
Assessor’s Parcel #: 031-080-030-000 (Silver Oak Wine Cellar)
915 Oakville Cross Road, Oakville,
Property Owner: Silver Oak Wine Cellars LLC
General Plan Designation: Agricultural Resource (AR)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 22.54 acres
Assessor’s Parcel #: 031-080-020-000 (Vineyards)
Property Owner: Pai Crossroads Vineyards LLC
General Plan Designation: Agricultural Resource (AR)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 63.83 acres
Assessor’s Parcel #: 031-070-026-000 (B Cellars Winery)
701 Oakville Cross Road, Oakville
Property Owner: Vintage Oakville Cross LLC
General Plan Designation: Agricultural Resource (AR)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 11.53 acres
Assessor’s Parcel #: 031-220-023-000 (Cliff Lede Vineyard Winery)
1473 Yountville Cross Road, Yountville
Property Owner: Yountville Crossroads Inc
General Plan Designation: Agricultural Resource (AR)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 25.27 acres
Application Submittal Date: December 9, 2025; Revision Requested: January 8, 2026
Code Compliance History: There are no new violations on record with this proposed activity.
Discussion:
Event Description: The applicant, Tiffany Eicholz, requests a license to hold The Wine Half Marathon 2026 on May 9, 2026, with the event taking place across twenty-one (21) parcels. A maximum of 600 people will be in attendance (this number includes both staff and event attendees and spectators). This event is open to the public via ticketed admission, with attendance managed through ticket sales. The event will feature a half marathon running event, with water and aid stations placed across the course. (See Attachment A - Site Plan, page 6) Hours of the event are 8:00am-12:00pm. Per the venue site plans, ADA restrooms will be available for the public as required by the Minimum Standards.
The race will start at 8:00 am at Quintessa Winery, winding through vineyard lanes, public roads and historic family-owned wineries ending at a Wine Village set up at the Yountville Community Center. The Wine Village featuring wines from partnering wineries along the course, and local acclaimed restaurants and purveyors. Along the racecourse located within unincorporated Napa County, no alcohol will be served.
Event Parking: Parking for the event runners will be provided via shuttle service with pick up service conducted at Vintage High School in the City of Napa. Shuttles will depart every 20 minutes from 6:00 am to 7:00 am from Vintage High School. Permitting for this service was coordinated with the Napa Valley Unified School District. Drop-off for the race will be provided at Quintessa Winery. Spectators will be responsible for their own parking and will park primarily at participating wineries or designated Yountville parking area. Shuttles will be running from Yountville back to Napa after the race for participants. Permitting for this service was coordinated with the City of Yountville. Shuttle service from Yountville to Vintage High School is offered for a fee after completion of race.
Event Coordination on Roadways and Yountville Community Center: The applicant was required to submit a Special Event Permit to the Public Works Department for rolling closure of public roads that will occur on the southbound lane. This permit has been (or will be issued) prior to the event. For activities in the City of Yountville, the applicant was required to submit permits for use of Community Center and shuttle service to ensure adequate parking would be available. All parking will take place outside of unincorporated Napa County and therefore outside of the jurisdiction for this permit.
Noise: Since the temporary event permits are ministerial, applicants are not required to submit a noise study for County review. Furthermore, County Code Section 5.36.010 exempts temporary events from the County’s noise standards, provided such events are conducted pursuant to a license issued pursuant to Chapter 5.36, respectively, of the code and then only as specifically required by such chapter of any manual of standards adopted by resolution of the Board of Supervisors for the purpose of implementing such chapter.
Permit/License Process: Since the event will have a maximum of 600 (revise as applicable) attendees, under County Code Section 5.35.015.G, it is considered a Category 4 event. This will be the first Category 4 event to occur across all participating parcels this year.
Event Authorization: County Code Sections 5.36.050.B requires a public hearing before the Zoning Administrator prior to issuance of a Category 4 license/permit. This Category 4 event meets the definition of a “temporary event” under County Code section 5.36.010, which means “…any festival, fair, show, house or garden design tour, concert, dance, rally, parade, demonstration of competition of creative athletic form, or any other gathering or assemblage of individuals for the purpose of observing or engaging in expressive activities within the ambit of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and Sections 2, 3, and 4 of Article 1 of the California Constitution, including, but not limited to music, dance, theater, speech, athletics, or any other visual, audio, or tactile arts, or combination thereof.”
Per County Code Section 5.36.050B, within thirty days following receipt of a completed application, a public hearing shall be scheduled before the Zoning Administrator on the Department’s recommendation. At least ten days prior to the hearing, notice shall be given to property owners within 1,000 feet, interested persons, and mailed to the property owners and emailed to interested parties. Additionally, notice was published in the Napa Valley Register on April 9, 2026.
The application is complete per the County’s application checklist and the required Certificate of Insurance was provided. Other agencies and departments were notified of the application and have determined the application meets or will likely meet the Minimum Standards that are within those agencies and departments’ jurisdictional authority. In addition, Napa County Emergency Medical Services Agency and California Highway Patrol expressed the need for additional security and life safety arrangements to meet the Minimum Standards Table of the Temporary Events Manual and to ensure overall safety for the event, which the applicant has agreed to and has signed contracts to provide.
Public Comments: As of the date this report was released, no comments have been received.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
1. Attachment A - Application
2. Attachment B - Site Plans