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S.J. board puts cork in winery's expansion plan I Recordnet.comdQ� Page 1 of 1 k5 NA/ . -FA dde-I News S.J. BOARD PUTS CORK IN WINERY'S EXPANSION PLAN By Zachary K.Johnson October 10,2013 Record Staff Writer STOCKTON -The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday overturned a county Planning Commission decision and denied a permit to expand an Acampo winery. St.Jorge Winery got the Planning Commission's OK a year ago to increase the number of events that could be held at the winery. Called marketing events,they are meant to promote a winery's wares and can include parties, weddings or other events where its wine is served. The types of events have been at the center of clashes between neighbors and the wine industry as it flourishes amid existing farms and homes in rural San Joaquin County. The events can promote the wine and help build the reputation of the local wine region, but they can draw ire from neighbors seeking peace and quiet in the countryside and protests from farmers who see a threat to the county's agricultural industry. Sides were divided along the same lines in the St.Jorge expansion plan. Its approval was appealed by neighbors, a challenge supported by the San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation. "St. Jorge's primary mission is not promoting wine,"said David Isola, a neighbor who brought the appeal. Its mission was to become a"full-service event destination,"he said. The winery also asked for permission to build a commercial kitchen and a wine garden and stage that county inspectors described as an amphitheater. Both had already been built, according to county staff. County inspectors reported discovering the kitchen when looking at what was supposed to be equipment used in a "wine lab"to sterilize bottles.There was a permit for that equipment, but not for the stage area,which would need to be removed, according to the county. The winery owners admit they made mistakes, but they have complied with the county's requests, said Christopher Powell,an attorney representing the winery. On Tuesday,the winery changed its request. It no longer asked to expand the number of events but still requested the kitchen and wine garden,where only non-amplified music would be played, he said. "St. Jorge Winery is not an event center. ... It makes great wine,"he said. "They are a winery at their core." But it did not sway the board,which overturned the approval with a unanimous vote. "One thing that bothers me ... is just a pattern of violations,"Supervisor Bob Elliott said. Contact reporter Zachary K.Johnson at(209)546-8258 or zjohnson@recordnet.com.Visit his blog at recordnet.com/johnsonblog. http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20131010/A_NEWS/310100322&... 10/11/2013