TO: NAPA COUNTY ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: Jaksen Wilson for Brian D. Bordona - Planning, Building, Environmental Services Director
REPORT BY: Jaksen Wilson, Planner II
SUBJECT: Maxville Winery Wicked Wine Run 2026
RECOMMENDATION
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Maxville Winery Wicked Wine Run 2026 - Category 4 Temporary Event Application #P26-00015
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 P26-00015 filed by Justin Ross of Wicked Wine Runs to hold Maxville Winery Wicked Wine Run 2026. This event will be held on May 2, 2026, from 12:00pm-06:00pm with a maximum of 1,500 people in attendance, and will feature a 5k and 1k running event supplemented with food, amplified music, and wine tastings at the start, finish, and along the course. This event is proposed to be held on a singular winery parcel located at 4105 Chiles-Pope Valley Road near St Helena, CA, Assessor’s Parcel # 025-020-023-000.
Staff Recommendation: Find that the project is Ministerially Exempt from CEQA and approve the Temporary Event Application.
Staff Contact: Jaksen Wilson, Planner II, (707) 253-4269 or Jaksen.Wilson@countyofnapa.org
Applicant Contact: Justin Ross, Event Planner, Wicked Wine Runs, (419) 606 8631, justin@wickedwinerun.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 P26-00015.
Discussion:
On January 26, 2026, Justin Ross applied for a permit for a Category 4 Temporary event to be held on Assessor’s Parcel # 025-020-023-000 on Saturday, May 2, 2026, for a maximum of 1,500 people, including participants, spectators and staffing from 10:00 am - 06:00 pm. The event proposes to feature a 5k and 1k running event supplemented with food, amplified music, and wine tastings at the start, finish, and along the course. This event is open to the public via ticketed admission, with attendance managed through ticket sales.
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
Property Owner: Douglas Berlogar, representing Koko Nor Corporation, (707) 225 7993, dberlogar@maxvillelakewines.com
Applicant/Representative: Justin Ross, Event Planner, Wicked Wine Runs, (419) 606 8631, justin@wickedwinerun.com
General Plan Designation: Agriculture, Watershed, and Open Space (AWOS)
Zoning: Agricultural Watershed (AW)
Project Site Area: 247.45 acres
Application Submittal Date: January 26, 2026
Code Compliance History: There are no new violations on record with this proposed activity.
Discussion:
Event Proposal: The applicant, Justin Ross, requests a license to hold Maxville Winery Wicked Wine Run 2026 on Saturday, May 2, 2026, with the event taking place at Maxville Winery located at 4105 Chiles-Pope Valley Road near St. Helena. The event proposes to host a maximum of 1,500 people, inclusive of event attendees and staff. Admission is open to the public through ticket sales, which will be used to manage attendance. The event will feature a 5k and 1k running event supplemented with food, amplified music, and wine tastings at the start/finish and along the course. Hours of the event are 10:00 am - 06:00 pm. Parking for this event will be provided on the winery property. Per the venue site plans, ADA restrooms will be available for the public as required by the Minimum Standards.
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 1,500 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 on this parcel 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 Plan