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Napa Valley s smallest farms have long been closed to tourists. A new law may change that
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Lindsay Hoopes and her son, Rohan Aghera 3, walk through the vines at Hoopes Vineyard in Napa.Jessica Christian / The ChronicleShow MoreShow Less
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A plaque in the garden area of Hoopes Vineyard in Napa.Jessica Christian / The ChronicleShow MoreShow Less
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The grounds and gardens of Hoopes Vineyard in Napa.Jessica Christian / The ChronicleShow MoreShow Less
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Horses, goats, chickens and other farm animals eat their breakfast at Hoopes Vineyard in Napa.Jessica Christian / The ChronicleShow MoreShow Less
Napa Valley’s smallest winegrowers may soon be able to host tastings at their vineyards which they say is a vital lifeline for keeping the region’s family farms viable, and a boon for those who don’t want to see Napa’s landscape overtaken by larger corporate interests. It’s a battle that one group of farmers has been fighting for more than three years. The county’s Board of Supervisors decided last week to explore the issue, and they plan to.
After more than two years of trying, Save the Family Farms has convinced Napa County to take up the issue of micro-wineries, which amount to a more mom-and-pop approach to the wine world.
The county will consider allowing farms making small amounts of wines to host tastings without building a winery, perhaps at a table overlooking a vineyard. A proposed law could be ready by August.
Save the Family Farms has worked with elected officials and the wine industry to lay the groundwork for a possible micro-winery law. Last week, the Board of Supervisors agreed to explore the issue.
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