Vintner to open first winery on Cedros
California is famous for its wine country: Napa Valley. Santa Barbara County. The Temecula Valley. South Cedros Avenue?
Yes, come June, the wine country will grow an extra vine.
At that estimated time, vintner Adam Carruth will open his own fully functioning winery smack dab in the Cedros Design District.
“This is the only place I really thought about,” Carruth, also a real-estate agent, said of his choice to open in Solana Beach. “This is my love and my passion.”
With an outpouring of support from several of the community’s business leaders, the City Council unanimously approved Carruth’s proposal on April 28. David Carroll, president of the Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce, and Sean MacLeod of the Cedros Avenue Property Owners Association addressed the council in support of the winery.
“I think it would be a good addition to the avenue,” MacLeod said.
Carruth actually was a little too ripe with excitement on operating his winery back in September, when he began winemaking without receiving the proper permits.
Some neighbors complained about noise and odor from the winemaking process, and Carruth ceased operations once informed by staff he needed to go through a permitting process.
The council forgave Carruth for the mix-up, but took steps to ensure there would be minimal noise and odors for surrounding residents. As such, the governing body placed restrictions on when Carruth would be able to carry out certain aspects of the winemaking process.
Carruth, who will travel to Napa to buy grapes, will be limited to less than seven deliveries per year. He must also ferment the grapes in insulated rooms to minimize odor.
“We certainly don’t want a strong smell of alcohol seeping out through the ventilation,” Mayor Tom Campbell said during the roughly 75-minute public hearing.
Carruth assured the council he could succeed within their limitations, with the understanding that he may have to reappear before them if complaints arise.
“We want you to be successful, that’s for darn sure,” said Councilman Joe Kellejian.
Carruth will need a special events permit to hold anything that would limit parking and public access to Cedros Avenue. Like other wineries, only tastings will be allowed on-site.
Rounds of applause circulated the chamber after the council approved the proposal.
Carruth said he would now go through the state’s permitting process.
Formerly an employee of Witch Creek winery in Carlsbad, Carruth, who started in the industry in 1998, has been making his own wine since 2006. He currently operates out of a co-op winery in Oceanside at 50 barrels a year, which will increase to his license-capped 84 barrels, or 5,000 gallons, once he opens in Solana Beach.
Carruth said he produces about 15 different types of wine.
Related posts:
- Tough times pave way for changes in Cedros efforts
- Spring comes, Cedros blooms
- Solana Beach’s Cedros Avenue hit hardest by recession
- MacLeod’s vision is ‘legendary’
- Hands On Cedros grand reopening celebrated
Short URL: http://www.delmartimes.net/?p=7806
Posted by 
