Mondavis and Abreu at loggerheads

Napa Valley veterans David Abreu and Marc Mondavi are going head to head in a battle over planning permission.

A local government decision last December gave road building rights to Marc and Janice Mondavi for their Rocky Ridge Winery, near Angwin.

That decision is under dispute from another well-known winemaker, David Abreu, who has approvals for his own winery and home on a plot next to the Mondavis’ land.

Abreu appealed because the Mondavi winery building, he claims, is ‘not the required 300 feet from the property line,’ according to a report in the Napa Valley Register.

Following discussion and analysis of the county’s own Winery Definition Ordinance, planning commission supervisors on Tuesday voted 3-2 in favor of the Mondavis.

Abreu’s attorneys claimed that the Mondavis should have sought a zoning variance to build the road as planned, and the ensuing debate was detailed – and close.

In motoning to deny the appeal, Harold Moskowite told the newspaper, ‘Whether we like the language or not, we have to uphold the planning commission.’

Marc Mondavi is the son of Peter Mondavi, owner of Charles Krug Winery.

Written by Panos Kakaviatos