Napa County Supervisors Approve Le Colline Vineyard Project in Angwin
The Napa County Board of Supervisors has approved the Le Colline Vineyard project in Angwin. Developer Dave Phinney led the proposal for the 400-acre site in the hills of Napa County. This decision matters because it concludes a multi-year dispute over forest conversion and watershed protection. It establishes a precedent for balancing agricultural development with forest conservation in the region.
The project involves the conversion of timberland into a 20.4-acre vineyard. This site is located on a 400-acre property off Cold Springs Road. Dave Phinney is the developer behind the project. He is a prominent winemaker based in Napa County. The proposal faced significant opposition from environmental groups. The Center for Biological Diversity and local residents raised concerns about water usage. They also cited the loss of oak woodland and Douglas fir trees. The Napa Valley Register reported that the board voted 4-1 to deny the appeal against the project [^1].
This approval allows for the removal of approximately 2,000 trees. To offset this loss, Phinney committed to a permanent conservation easement. This easement protects 380 acres of the property from future development. The WineBusiness platform noted that this ratio of conservation to development is high [^2]. It reflects stricter environmental standards for new vineyard permits in Napa County. These standards require developers to protect several acres of land for every acre developed.
The project site sits within the Conn Creek watershed. This area provides water for Lake Hennessey. The St. Helena Star indicated that the project includes advanced erosion control measures [^3]. These measures aim to prevent sediment runoff into the municipal water supply. The developer must also maintain a buffer around existing streams. This buffer protects the natural riparian habitat. County staff will monitor the site to ensure compliance with these environmental protections.
Locally, the decision impacts the future of mountain viticulture. It signals that high-elevation projects are still viable despite increasing regulations. Developers must provide substantial environmental offsets to gain approval. This trend makes new vineyard establishment more expensive for small producers. It also increases the complexity of the permitting process in the North Coast region. The North Bay Business Journal noted that project costs increased due to the lengthy appeal process [^4]. Legal fees and updated studies represent a significant portion of the development budget. This case highlights the rising barriers to entry for vineyard development in Napa County. It suggests that only well-capitalized entities can navigate the current regulatory landscape.
[^1]: Napa Valley Register - https://napavalleyregister.com [^2]: WineBusiness - https://www.winebusiness.com [^3]: St. Helena Star - https://napavalleyregister.com/community/star/ [^4]: North Bay Business Journal - https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com