May 2025:
A Letter from Dave & Kathleen
Though trying to install a vineyard on our 88 acres of Ag Watershed land has been a long, difficult 11 year ordeal for me, Kathleen and our family, one of the many blessings that has come from this experience is meeting so many people in Angwin and up and down the Valley who are committed to doing what they so passionately believe is best for our community and Napa Valley. Kathleen and I would like to thank all of you who took the time to meet with us over the last many years, but especially over the last six months or so. The input we received was insightful, edifying and integral in designing Le Colline II.
Le Colline II is one half the size of the original project. Gross disturbed land was reduced from 28.45 acres to 13.08 acres, a reduction of 54% while net vineyard acres are now 10.1 versus 20.5, a reduction of 50.7%. The removed amount of Douglas Fir, Oak woodlands and Chamise/Chaparral was reduced by 55%, 12% and 100% respectively. Further, the number of attenuation basis has been reduced from 6 to 1. Most importantly, because most of Le Colline II is now comprised of the old apple orchard and the area previously cleared for a housing site, the total amount of previously undisturbed land with Le Colline II is about 3.5 acres +/-. For more detailed information on the Le Colline II project, click here.
In addition to substantially reducing the overall size and scope of the original project, mitigating the fire risk associated with our overgrown, dense and heavily damaged forestland that is “dangerously ripe for catastrophic wildfire” was of critical importance to just about everybody with whom we spoke, especially those who hiked the property and observed its condition. Almost of equal importance was sequestering a large, contiguous portion of our land so as to allow for unencumbered wildlife habitat retention and movement while also maintaining and enhancing the property’s rich biodiversity. After some long and thoughtful conversations with those who were sincerely interested in creating a mutually beneficial arrangement, we have proposed to the County the following additional Conditions of Approval as part of Le Colline II:
1. Establishment of a continuous 66.39 +/- acre conservation easement bordering the Linda Falls Preserve, Conn Creek and the homes on Bishop Place, Winding Way and Cold Springs Road
2. Implementation of a forest restoration and fire mitigation plan by Peter Lecourt of North Bay Forest Management. Phase I will begin within 72 hours after we are free to begin work on Le Colline II. The forest restoration and fire mitigation plan will also include a fire hydrant at Winding Way and an all-weather engine ready secondary ingress/egress for first responders, among other things.
3. Implementation of an oak woodland restoration and conservation plan of 3.91 ac +/-
4. Implementation of a stream protection zone restoration plan of 6.79 ac +/-
A more detailed description of the Public Benefits submitted to the County as part of Le Colline II can be found here, a vegetation map showing the areas conserved, preserved and/or restored can be found here, and Peter’s Le Colline II Forest Restoration and Fire Mitigation Plan dated 5/2/25 can be found here.
We encourage everyone to access the links detailing Le Colline II and its associated public benefit and to contact me directly at dave@lecollinevineyards.com with any questions or comments. Kathleen and I truly believe all things considered, Le Colline II is the best overall use of our land for the community and the environment. We look forward to the day we can begin installing our 10 acre vineyard and delivering the benefits of the conservation easement, forest restoration and fire mitigation, oak woodland restoration and preservation, and stream protection zone restoration to the neighborhood, community and environment.
~ Dave and Kathleen
