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Mountain Winery may be sold, new owner is seeking permits By Steve Enders
Ownership of the Mountain Winery may soon be changing hands to local housing developer William Hirschman.
In a letter sent to the county planning department, Hirschman told planners that another company that he's president of, Lexor Investments Inc., is "currently under contract to purchase the Mountain Winery property from the current owner."
In the letter dated Feb. 25, Hirschman said he anticipates "the transfer of the property within the next 30 days."
Hirschman was not available for comment, but county officials confirmed receipt of the letter.
Hirschman owns Maxim Investments, which has recently been involved in various housing development projects in Los Gatos.
Current winery owner, Raveesh (Ravi) Kumra said he could not confirm or deny that the winery is for sale.
Kumra bought the winery in 1995 for $6 million and has long been the center of controversy since being convicted on two counts of disturbing the peace last year. He was sentenced to three years probation after allegedly making threatening phone calls to employees of Villa Montalvo, the winery's concert operators.
Under an agreement, Montalvo is supposed to operate the concert series at the winery until 2001. There is no indication that the agreement will end--Montalvo is scheduled to announce its upcoming summer concerts at a March 10 press conference.
Word of the possible sale of the winery comes at the same time as possible development plans begin to move forward again.
On March 4, the Santa Clara County Planning Commission is scheduled to hear a status report on an environmental impact study that's being prepared so the winery can file an application for a use permit to hold its concert series.
In the more than 40 years the winery has been holding concerts, it has never had a permit from the county to "legally" do so.
In his letter to the planning department, Hirschman said he'll file an application for a use permit by the end of March. During the next month, the letter states, his company will be able to "present an accurate scope of work and related site plans."
There is also no word as to whether or not winery owners will continue the preliminary plans of expanding the winery's accommodations and services, including a concert seating expansion.
A status report on the winery is also on tap for a March 3 Saratoga City Council meeting. There, councilmembers will likely hear that no progress has been made on preparing the environmental impact report.
When winery owners finally file for a use permit, they'll be required to submit a draft environmental impact study, which will allow for public comment, as well as comment from the city.
Neighbors who live near the Mountain Winery have mostly been opposed to increased development of the site because of the potential for added noise and traffic from events there.
To date, the city has made the county aware of Saratoga residents' concerns. Although the winery is technically not in the county, most land downhill from the property is within city limits, as are access routes such as Pierce Road.
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Saratoga, California Since 1975
