County board discusses proposed new winery in South Livermore

The East County Board of Zoning Adjustments will conduct a preliminary review of plans for a new winery and related facilities for Avaanti Vineyards in the south Livermore area at its regular meeting Thursday afternoon.

The facility would consist of four buildings and house winemaking, a tasting room, a bottle shop, a restaurant, a banquet room and an event center, according to a report from Alameda County Planner Aubrey Rose.

Also being considered are a 9-hole golf course and putting green, as well as a two-story single-family home.

If approved, the new Reuss Road development would connect over 20 wineries that currently operate along and around Tesla Road from west of South Vasco Road to east of Greenville Road.

But before acting on the winery’s request for a conditional permit, the board will hold a public hearing on the project, discuss potential problems and provide direction on changes or studies if necessary.

In the middle of the vineyard, the applicant from Avaanti Vineyards – Jonathan James of William Wood Architect – wants to build a new 30,234 square meter facility associated with the winery. Its four buildings would surround a large outdoor courtyard.

A golf course made of artificial turf would be built just west of this facility.

And on the east side of the property, James proposes a 9,467-square-foot, two-story home with a 1,127-square-foot garage, a pool and a total footprint of 2 acres.

Surrounding the property is the Livermore American Viticulture Area, which includes approximately 4,000 acres of vineyards. The neighbors also include large agricultural properties and some large residential properties.

Currently, the land itself is zoned for agriculture on large plots as set out in the East County Area Plan. The plan mandates standards to “preserve and enhance the community character of the South Livermore Valley,” the staff report states. A related intent was to “encourage the promotion of the South Livermore Valley as a premier wine production center through the promotion of appropriate tourist attractions and supporting uses.”

So far, three neighboring neighbors have raised concerns with the board. They wrote letters expressing concerns about potential traffic, noise, glare, compatibility with local vineyards, visual impacts and more. These and other possible impacts will be discussed by the Board of Directors.

The project plans will also undergo an environmental assessment.

The meeting will take place on Thursday (October 24) at 1:30 p.m. in the Dublin Library Community Room at 200 Civic Plaza. It will also be broadcast live via Zoom webinar. Read the full agenda here.