In his May 29 letter, Ward Paine describes our application for a tasting room in Portola Valley as “inappropriate.” We appreciate Mr. Paine’s vigilance but want to correct a number of impressions that seem based in misunderstanding.
Mr. Paine states that the town denied us a tasting room in 2013. In fact, we have never previously applied for a tasting room or even considered it until 2018. However, circumstances have changed, and an on-site tasting room is now of paramount importance to the viability of the winery and vineyards.
Mr. Paine predicts hoards of tourists visiting the Neely Wine Tasting Room, suggesting we would advertise in “every hotel and motel room in Silicon Valley.” This is not so. We will utilize a reservation system with strict limits on the number of visitors. A tasting room in Portola Valley needs to exist in harmony with its environs, and we intend to preserve the peacefulness of our home. Our aim is an experience of exceptional quality for our visitors.
Mr. Paine suggests that the town would not benefit from a tasting room. We feel confident that Portola Valley residents will enjoy visiting this central agricultural open space. Our intention is to build a highly local wine club membership and to build community around a wonderful local agricultural product. Furthermore, the town does benefit from the preservation of a significant portion of the Western Hills as open space — which is directly related to the vineyards and winery.
The tasting room would utilize an existing, well-screened building. We are working with the Planning Commission and neighbors to mitigate potential problems and to produce an optimal solution that respects the site’s tranquility. We encourage those interested to follow the process through the Planning Commission or to reach out directly to lucy@neelywine.com.
The Neely family
Portola Road, Portola Valley
