Fairfax County, Virginia: Farm Winery Squeezes by Zoning Law

[forum_admin]

State Board Gives Approval Over County's, Neighbors' Objections; Appeal Possible

A mother and son's work to establish Fairfax County's first farm winery cleared a significant hurdle Thursday when the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board gave preliminary approval on issuing a state license to Paradise Springs Winery.

Dismissing objections from neighbors and county zoning officials, the board's hearing officer ruled that the winery's reliance on trucking in grapes did not violate the statutory definition of a farm winery. The hearing officer also dismissed fears of several residents in nearby Noble Estates that winery traffic would raise the risk of accidents on winding roads and upset the peace and quiet of the largely rural neighborhood.

More...

washingtonpost.com

[forum_admin]

The dispute also has highlighted frictions between Virginia's local governments and the General Assembly over how best to oversee the state's expanding wine industry.

Although Virginia's vineyards turn out a tiny fraction of wine compared with California, the state has made strides in quantity and quality, thanks to supportive laws passed by the General Assembly.

Lawmakers in recent years have exempted farm wineries from local regulation of their operations.

Some local governments and neighbors of wineries have objected, however, to the carte blanche given special events hosted by wineries, such as wine-tasting festivals and weddings. They argue that these special events have nothing to do with agriculture. Winemakers say they are crucial to their financial survival.