February 2025:
A Letter from Dave & Kathleen

We think the timing is right to update you on our thoughts regarding our 88 acre property on Cold Springs Road on Howell Mountain.

As many of you know, our original project that was submitted in 2014 was approved by County staff in March 2023 and overturned on appeal in August 2023 by the County Board of Supervisors. We have spent countless hours analyzing the Supervisors’ rationale for their veto, fielding phone calls and e-mails from those suggesting a wide array of alternative land uses, and talking to lots of people and organizations both opposed to and supportive of new vineyards in this area. For the last year, we have been considering re-applying to plant a smaller, reduced intensity alternative vineyard on our property. We’re still unsure of our going forward course of action.

There are plenty of opinions on what we should be doing with our property! We’ve heard everything from “log the whole damn thing” (which we would never do) to “I’d rather see it burn than see a vineyard go in.” Based on the overall feedback we have received, should we choose to re-apply, any project should maximize the use of already disturbed and prior ag lands, provide further value to the community (most likely in the form of a further enhanced fire mitigation plan), create an even more robust wildlife corridor, and further minimize the effect on the immediate neighbors, setting and the environment.

It has taken us 10+ years to get where we are today. We still believe a small, meticulously hand-farmed vineyard coupled with environmental enhancement and community benefit initiatives is the best use of our land. As we have for many years, we welcome input from everyone. Feel free to contact us at dave@lecollinevineyards.com with your thoughts, questions, concerns or ideas you may have.

~ Dave and Kathleen