Sonoma wine, weed and water on SVCAC agenda

Neither pandemic nor storm nor fire nor election-year meddling can stop wineries and cannabis producers from applying for permits in Sonoma County.

An effort to combine two parcels into one for wine grape production, and a request for a cannabis cultivation permit on Cavedale Road, are both on the agenda for the Aug. 28 meeting of the Sonoma Valley Citizens Advisory Commission, to be held by Zoom at 6 p.m.

Jacques Mathieu is applying for a zone change on two parcels in eastern Boyes Hot Springs, at 457 and 565 Mountain Ave. He’s requesting that both lots be zoned together as Agricultural Residential, with a use permit for a small winery. Mathieu said the residence at the 565 Mountain address is his family home.

Maximum annual production of the winery is projected at only 1,000 cases, and no onsite tasting or events are planned. The application was made in 2017, and the project for what’s been dubbed the Côte des Cailloux winery project was submitted in August, 2018.

Also under consideration by the commission this week, Korbin Ming, of Lunar Ridge Farms LLC, seeks a use permit to operate a 19,000-square-foot commercial cannabis cultivation site on property his company leases from his parents, Mitchell and Jenny Ming, at 4800 Cavedale Rd. in Glen Ellen, along the Sonoma/Napa county borders. The 132-acre farm currently includes both a residence and a 19-acre vineyard.

Mitchell Ming owns Korbin Kameron Vineyard and Jenny Ming is CEO of the clothing chain, Charlotte Russe. She formerly helped to launch the Old Navy brand and served as the company’s president. Local viticulturist Phil Coturri has worked with the Mings on their vineyard projects since 2013 .

The Wednesday evening agenda includes a groundwater sustainability update from Greg Carr, a member of the Sonoma County Planning Commission. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 26 at zoom.us/j/96498810693.