Appeal of Wilsons' Dry Creek Road winery postponed

Sonoma County planning officials have postponed a Tuesday afternoon appeal hearing on Ken and Diane Wilson’s contested Hale Winery, saying more time is needed to review a recent influx of public correspondence.

The hearing has been postponed until Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m., county officials said Monday.

Tennis Wick, director of the county’s Permit and Resource Management Department, said the additional time will allow county staff to review arguments in written letters and emails related to the proposed Dry Creek Road winery, and criticism about the potential impact on the rural neighborhood and natural resources.

Neighbors have cited concerns about increased traffic and noise, as well dwindling water supplies.

The appeal was filed in April by Andrew Dieden, a Dry Creek Valley grape grower, after a county zoning board approved the Wilsons’ new winery on a 40-acre parcel north of their flagship Wilson Winery.