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Staglin Family Vineyard’s visitor growth plans concern neighbors – Napa Valley Register

February 12, 2021 by ADSWineReporter

staglin-family-vineyard’s-visitor-growth-plans-concern-neighbors-–-napa-valley-register

Staglin Family Vineyard’s visitor growth plans concern neighbors




Bradon Staglin (copy)

Brandon Staglin addressed the audience at the Staglin Music Festival for Brain Health held in 2018. This week the Napa County Planning Commission heard the winery’s request to increase visitation. Many neighbors spoke out in opposition, citing traffic concerns. 



Jess Lander photo


Staglin Family Vineyard in the Rutherford area is the latest example of a Napa County winery saying it wants more visitors and rural neighbors saying it wants too many.

The family winery on Bella Oaks Lane asked to increase annual visitation from 3,167 guests to 17,605 guests. Some neighbors feared the growth would change a rural atmosphere and hinder wildfire evacuations on a narrow, dead-end road.

On Feb. 3, the Napa County Planning Commission heard the growth requests, then gave the Staglins and neighbors until March 3 to try to work things out. Several neighbors said they had learned of the proposal only a few weeks or even days before the meeting.

“We want to hear all those voices along Bella Oaks Lane,” said consultant Rob Anglin on behalf of the Staglins.

Staglin Family Vineyard is located a mile west of Highway 29 at 1570 Bella Oaks Lane along the Mayacamas Mountains. The Staglins founded the operation in 1985 and won county permission for a winery in 1999.

“It’s a full-time job for all of us and a full-time opportunity,” Garen Staglin told the commission.

The 36,000-gallons-a-year winery has a big profile. Its endeavors include hosting an annual music festival to benefit One Mind, the nonprofit for brain health started by the Staglins in 1995. Performers have included Grammy award winners Sheryl Crow and Jennifer Hudson.

Bella Oaks Lane also has about a dozen residences.

Neighbor Helen Berggruen said she appreciates the Staglins’ work for brain health. The family has been helpful to neighbors, especially during the wildfires.

“However, I do believe that a (visitor) expansion of this magnitude would be overwhelming for all of us who live close by,” Berggruen wrote to the county.

Neighbor Jennifer Trainor told commissioners the proposed visitation “seems like a tsunami.”

Amanda Bryan of neighboring Sycamore Vineyards said her family admires the Staglins’ entrepreneurial spirit to grow an enterprise. But narrow Bella Oaks Lane is not constructed to support a massive amount of cars and buses.

“We really should be entitled to the quiet enjoyment of our land,” Bryan told commissioners.

Others favored the Staglins’ request. Vintner Darioush Khaledi of Darioush winery on Silverado Trail called it a reasonable one that would not negatively impact the community.

Bella Oaks Lane resident Ed Labry of Labry Wines said the Staglins’ events are well-run and guests don’t park on the street. He supported the requested visitation growth.

Commissioners praised the Staglins for their charitable work. They praised the family for farming the land organically and being good stewards of the land.

But, Commissioner Dave Whitmer said, the commission is faced with a land use decision.

“I understand the Staglins’ need for increased visitation,” Commissioner Anne Cottrell said. “That (present) 10 visitors a day is a low number for the current needs of the industry. We know we live in the age of direct-to-consumer.”

None of the commissioners said what they thought the visitation number should be. Commissioner Joelle Gallagher said she’d like to see the proposed number adjusted downward.

What happens with the Staglins’ proposal could hinge on attempts by the various Bella Oaks Lane parties to work out a compromise.

“I feel confident that letting the neighbors and Staglins work together, hopefully when we come back, it will be an even stronger application,” Commissioner Megan Dameron said.

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SEE PHOTOS OF NAPA’S WITSIL AND WILDCAT

Wildcat

Wildcat

Thea Witsil at Wildcat Vintage Clothing in downtown Napa. 



Jennifer Huffman, Register


Thea Witsil of Wildcat, January 2020

Thea Witsil of Wildcat, January 2020

Thea Witsil as seen at her shop Wildcat Vintage Clothing in January 2020. The store was last located at 931 Coombs St. It has since closed and Witsil and her husband have moved to Fresno. 



Jennifer Huffman, Register file photo


First jobs: Thea Witsil

First jobs: Thea Witsil

A teenage Thea Witsil appeared at a Renaissance fair in the Orange County town of Huntington Beach in 1974, while working at her first job as a pottery painter for the Lido and Co. Pottery Barn in nearby Buena Park.



Submitted photo


Wildcat Vintage Clothing shop crash

Wildcat Vintage Clothing shop crash

Wildcat Vintage Clothing shop had to close for three days after an overturned truck smashed its plate glass windows on Saturday morning. Police said the truck overturned after two vehicles collided at Third and Randolph streets when one of them ran a stop sign. Both drivers were transported to Queen of the Valley Medical Center with minor injuries.



Submitted photo


Thea Witsil at Wildcat Vintage Clothing

Thea Witsil at Wildcat Vintage Clothing

Thea Witsil, owner of Wildcat Vintage Clothing, was open for business on Wednesday following a couple of days of cleaning up her shop following a crash over the weekend that sent a truck tumbling into her windows. 



J.L. Sousa, Register


Monsters Ball

Monsters Ball

Thea Witsil is co-producer of Monsters Ball, a Halloween-themed event on Oct. 31 at Copia. The event benefits the Napa City Fire Fighter’s Charitable Fund and Napa Porchfest.



J.L. Sousa/Register


Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday

Wildcat Vintage Clothing owner Thea Witsil pauses on Friday while preparing for Small Business Saturday.



J.L. Sousa, Register


Thea Witsil today

Thea Witsil today

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J.L. Sousa, Register file photo



Wildcat Vintage Clothing

Wildcat Vintage Clothing

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J.L. Sousa, Register



Thea Witsil of Wildcat Vintage Clothing

Thea Witsil of Wildcat Vintage Clothing

Thea Witsil is opening Wildcat Vintage Clothing in a new location. The store, located at 1125 Lincoln Ave., will open on Saturday, Sept. 5.



J.L. Sousa/Register


Wildcat

Wildcat

Wildcat Vintage Clothing sells both vintage and new clothing. Shop owner Thea Wistil can even help shoppers design a unique look for Halloween. 



Jennifer Huffman, Register


Wildcat

Wildcat

Looking to shimmy and shake this Oct. 31? Check out this vintage emerald green dress.



Jennifer Huffman, Register


Wildcat

Wildcat

Elvis called and wants his suit back. As seen at Wildcat Vintage Clothing in downtown Napa. 



Jennifer Huffman, Register


Wildcat

Wildcat

Gold lamé much? Another vintage find at Wildcat Vintage Clothing in downtown Napa. 



Jennifer Huffman, Register


You can reach Barry Eberling at 256-2253 or beberling@napanews.com.

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