Major AXR Winery Expansion: Wednesday Napa County Planning Commission Agenda

NAPA VALLEY, CA — A proposal that would reshape operations at a historic Napa Valley winery tops the Napa County planning commission agenda this week, bringing plans for new wine caves, expanded tasting experiences, upgraded infrastructure, and increased visitation to a prominent Highway 29 property near St. Helena.

Napa County planning commissioners are scheduled to consider a major expansion proposal for AXR Napa Valley Winery that would add a new wine cave, expand hospitality operations, increase visitation, and upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure at the winery's St. Helena property.

The project, proposed by owner Mark Schratz, involves a Major Modification to existing winery permits, a variance request, and an Administrative Viewshed Permit for the 7.85-acre property at 3199 North St. Helena Highway.

County staff recommend commissioners adopt a Subsequent Mitigated Negative Declaration and approve the project, concluding that mitigation measures would reduce environmental impacts to less-than-significant levels.

Proposed mitigation addresses aesthetics, biological resources, cultural resources, transportation, and tribal cultural resources.

The project would allow AXR to construct a new wine cave, convert an existing barrel storage building into a tasting room, and transform an outdoor crush pad and tank area into hospitality space.

Plans also call for converting an existing apartment into winery office space, increasing employee and visitor counts, expanding marketing events, improving water and wastewater systems, and constructing a left-turn lane along St. Helena Highway at an estimated cost exceeding $1 million.

To accommodate the infrastructure improvements, the winery seeks a variance from Napa County's 600-foot setback requirement along Highway 29.

The request would allow aboveground wastewater treatment facilities to be located approximately 415 feet from the highway.

The winery property contains the historic Hirsch residence, a pre-Prohibition winery structure designated as a Napa County historic landmark.

County staff said the project would not significantly affect groundwater resources.

If approved, the project would allow AXR to modernize winery operations while expanding visitor-serving activities at a site Napa County planners say remains consistent with agricultural and winery uses under the county's zoning.

Napa County Planning Commission Agenda
9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3
1195 Third St.
Details for online viewing and the agenda

A rendering of plans involved in the major expansion proposal for AXR Napa Valley Winery on the June 3, 2026 Napa County Planning Commission agenda.