Saratoga News
News
Planning commission approves two new projects for the Village
By Shannon Burkey
The Saratoga Planning Commission approved two new projects at its Dec. 13 meeting that could help breathe a little more life into Saratoga's downtown Village area.
The commission approved a conditional use permit for Cinnabar Vineyards and Winery to open a tasting room and retail shop at 14612 Big Basin Way. It also approved a conditional use permit and design review that allows the existing café, Blue Rock Shoot, to expand.
"We are very excited," said Suzanne Frontz, Cinnabar general manager. "We have such a loyal local following, and there has been such a great demand for something like this."
Cinnabar began making wine in the Santa Cruz Mountains above Saratoga in 1983 and has been a big supporter of the Saratoga community ever since, Frontz said.
"This new tasting room will just further cement our relationship with the Village of Saratoga," she said.
Along with a tasting room where, for a small fee, customers can taste some of Cinnabar's many wines, the winery will also have a retail shop that will specialize in wine-related gift items. The new tasting room will also offer food and wine pairings and wine education events for the community.
Although many people in the area are familiar with Cinnabar's wines, the winery plans on offering an extra incentive for people to visit the new tasting room.
"We plan on making a small production--between 60 and 100 cases--just for the tasting room," Frontz said. "So not only will people have the opportunity to taste their Cinnabar favorites, they will also be able to try some new wines made just for the tasting room."
According to Frontz, the winery has received a warm welcome so far from other area merchants.
"Everybody in the Village has been very supportive of us, and we hope we can help bring a little more activity to that end of the Village," she said of the tasting room's location at the southwestern end of Big Basin Way across from Sent Sovi restaurant.
The other project approved by the commission is the expansion of Blue Rock Shoot to include more dining space and an exterior elevator that would provide patrons access to the restaurant from the current parking lot in the rear of the building.
Since March 1996, not only has the Blue Rock Shoot been a cozy place for Saratogans to grab a cup of coffee or a small bite to eat, but it has also been a place to catch some unique live entertainment. From musicians and poetry readings to live comedy routines, it is one of the only places in the village with live entertainment.
Several people came out in support of the expansion of the Blue Rock Shoot and its continued hosting of music in the community.
Phyllis Helmut, who has lived on Big Basin Way for 22 years, said the café is a real blessing to Saratoga, praising the owner from bringing life to the community.
