An application for a use permit has been filed for a private 18-hole golf course in Pope Valley in a portion of what used to be Juliana Vineyards. Golf courses are permitted in agricultural areas.

The new Lake Luciana course is being developed by a partnership including Criswell Radovan in St. Helena, the creators of Calistoga Ranch, Michael Mondavi, Bill Getty, golf course designer Tom Doak and others.

The existing parcels around the golf course are expected to be developed into private estates that will be able to use the golf course. No hotel or other development is planned, and the project doesn’t expand the number of estate home sites already in place.

The vineyard areas of Juliana Vineyards have primarily been acquired by Merryvale Vineyards with Triad Associates, which formerly owned the property.

   

Aetna Springs Resort

In other news from Pope Valley, the renovation of the now-private nine-hole golf course at the Aetna Springs Resort is almost complete. 

A new clubhouse for members is nearing completion.

Gallo buys more of Napa

The E. & J. Gallo Winery has purchased 182 acres of Chiles Valley vineyards from California Wine Company.

This is Gallo’s second purchase of Napa vineyards.

In 2002, it bought the historic Louis M. Martini Winery in St. Helena which included the 150-acre Ghost Pines vineyard in Chiles Valley.

       

Winemakers on the move

Tod Mostero will become technical director of Dominus Estate in August. Boris Champy will step down as winemaker and return to France. Mostero was most recently winemaker at Vina Almaviva in Chile.

Terlato Wine Group has promoted Marisa Taylor Huffaker to winemaker at Rutherford Hill Winery. She previously was assistant winemaker.

Joel Gott Wines has promoted Alisa Jacobson to winemaker. She has worked closely with Sarah Gott, who oversees winemaking.

   

Mondavi reunion this weekend

The informal association of former Robert Mondavi Winery employees is holding a reunion at 5 p.m., Saturday at Kennedy Park.

R.S.V.P. to cdeutsch8540@comcast.net.

   

Oxbow Public Market tops it off with roof

The roof has gone up on the Oxbow Public Market.

Peter Granoff, Debbie Zachareas and Bo Thompson, proprietors of Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant & Wine Bar and the upcoming Oxbow Wine Merchant & Wine Bar, will open the Oxbow Cheese Merchant here. 

The general manager will be Thalassa Skinner and dairy and cheese specialist Kate Arding will assist. 

Also, Donna Scala and Scott Warner have changed the name of their upcoming bistro at the Oxbow Public Market from Frasca to Ria.

Ria will be reminiscent of Italy’s wine bars, pizzerias and focaccerias all rolled into one.

E-mail news to paul@napalife.com.