 |
|
|
|
|
Mountain Winery deal sealed to local, high profile investors By Steve Enders
Over the years, the Mountain Winery has become a place for Silicon Valley types to unwind after a long day's work.
Now, some of the Valley's elite and Saratoga residents are its new owners.
On March 12 new winery owners made it official, announcing the completion of its sale to a group called Chateau Masson, LLC, headed by local developer Bill Hirschman.
Those backing Hirschman include Hotmail co-founder and Saratoga resident Jack Smith. Hotmail is owned by Microsoft, and is the world's largest web-based free email provider. Also in on the partnership is local real estate investor Elizabeth Dodson.
The investors' group will take over control of the concert venue, the old Paul Masson winery building and Chateau La Cresta.
The terms of the sale were not available at press time.
The group takes over after tumultuous times for the winery's now-former owner, Ravi Kumra, who was convicted last year of disturbing the peace after allegedly harassing Villa Montalvo employees.
In a written statement, Kumra said, "I'll continue to enjoy the property same as everyone, but with considerably less responsibility." He also said he feels confident that Hirschman's group will be a great benefit to the winery.
Montalvo runs the concert series at the winery and announced its latest concert effort on March 10, which includes a full schedule of events ranging from pop to jazz.
Again this year, the concerts are scheduled to go ahead even though Chateau Masson hasn't secured proper operating permits from the county. If it is successful in gaining the permits, the group would be the first to do so in the winery's 40-year history of hosting concerts.
Getting the concerts "legalized," Hirsch-man has said, is on the top of his agenda. He has told the county he intends to file the necessary paperwork for the permits by March 31. He's also said he hopes area residents will give him a chance to make the winery's activities positive to the community.
But that's still not satisfying winery neighbors, who say they are the ones who have to bear the brunt of the concerts and deal with heavy traffic and noise in their neighborhoods, especially on Pierce Road.
Hirschman has also told the county that he intends to go ahead with existing plans to expand concert seating capacity, increasing the number of seats by 750 for a total of 2,500.
The city of Saratoga has gone on record in opposition to this proposal.
In a letter sent last week to the county Planning Commission, Mayor Jim Shaw said he and the City Council are against any plans to increase seating at the winery.
Most of the winery lies on county property, giving the city little say in what happens with the land. However, since the group is seeking use permits and to expand the venue, an environmental impact report will need to be completed, which will allow the public, including the city, to comment on the plans.
|
|
|
|
Saratoga, California Since 1975
