Comments on: No Wine For You

By: Below The Beltway » Blog Archive » Fairfax County Allows Clifton Winery To Go Forward

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:46:13 +0000

[...] I noted last week, Fairfax County zoning officials were threatening to block development of a farm winery in Clifton. Yesterday, the County’s Board of Supervisors voted to allow the project to go forward: [...]

By: Doug Mataconis

Doug Mataconis — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:24:38 +0000

I’ve got to agree with apon, go to a winery like La Grange in Prince William County, and you’ll see what a winery in the middle of a suburban county looks like.

For all the good press that Virginia wines have been getting in recent years, I would think that Clifton would love to be part of that cash cow.

By: Another property owner nearby

Another property owner nearby — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:21:09 +0000

Have you ever been to a Virginia Farm Winery? It is hardly a manufacturing plant or a classic Retail store. Having a winemaking facility will in no way affect the watersupply as any composte is all natural. It will provide a beautiful setting for everyone to come and enjoy while sipping a glass of wine and learning about the winemaking process. Clifton is the perfect setting for a winery to exist and I am excited to visit and help out once they open!!!

By: Local Homeowner

Local Homeowner — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 15:28:34 +0000

What is a winery farm after all? A farm that grows grapes, yes.
In this case, the request is for a tasting room, retail store, a factory that will process substantial imported raw materials, and, oh yes, some quantity of locally grown grapes to justify it as a “farm”. For sure, we will be having parties, weddings, etc, etc. All in the middle of a residential street.

In the middle of a residential neighborhood where the landowners just happen to still have a 35 acre parcel that they have not yet sold off for development of private residences (up to 7 homes in this case), as has been done with much of the same land over the years, they propose a factory and a retail store that will attract thousands of additional vehicles onto a very dangerous, 17 foot wide narrow, twisting road that can barely handle the traffic load already present by the existing development.

Grow grapes. Sure. That is a farm. The rest is industrial and not in the spirit of farming in a residential neighborhood. 50 tons of grapes annually. That is alot of volume.

Do you want a factory in your backyard?

Go visit the site. It is there, by law, to protect your water supply. Many of you drink the water from this watershed. They want to change the law for their wine FACTORY RETAIL STORE. I strongly believe that 7 houses on the land would do far less damage than what is currently proposed. Or, the owners, in the spirit of conservation, as claimed, could just leave the land as it is, conserved. It remains a good investment.

Fairfax County has made a wise decision and the rest of government should respect it.

By: Matt the Great

Matt the Great — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:00:51 +0000

Ignore the “do” in that last sentence.

By: Matt the Great

Matt the Great — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:00:01 +0000

Not to mention the fact that they want to do this all on their own property. God forbid anyone would want to do build a winery on their own land!

By: Erika Goodell

Erika Goodell — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:31:09 +0000

Yes, and how terrible that the value of the land might increase with a winery there. (Check Napa, Ca and others…)
How terrible to encourage a business that builds no big concrete parking lots, brings visitors who respect the land and spend money in hotels and restaurants….

Erika

By: Matt the Great

Matt the Great — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:27:55 +0000

Don’t forget about the evils of alcohol! If there’s a winery in Fairfax county, people might start drinking!