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Mendocino County zoning administrator approves Sundial Ranch distillery permit
Summary
On April 10, 2025, the Mendocino County Zoning Administrator approved Administrative Permit U2024-0006 allowing Sundial Ranch LLC to install distilling equipment in an existing building to produce brandy and whiskey, finding the project categorically exempt from CEQA and imposing conditions of approval.
The Mendocino County Zoning Administrator on April 10 approved Administrative Permit U2024-0006, allowing Sundial Ranch LLC to install distillery equipment in an existing warehouse to produce brandy and whiskey at a parcel identified as APN 0480-0-04 in Mendocino County.
Keith Groendijk, a planner with Mendocino County, told the zoning administrator that the proposal would locate the distillation operation inside an existing 7,480-square-foot warehouse on a 96-acre parcel and would not require new wells, grading, vegetation removal, or new roads. Groendijk said the applicant anticipates producing “approximately 2,000 cases of brandy and whiskey per year.” He also said the project was reviewed under the California Environmental Quality Act and ‘‘has been determined to be categorically exempt from CEQA’’ under a Class 1 exemption covering minor alterations of existing facilities.
The staff report described the site as northwest of a local line and noted the parcel’s proximity to U.S. 101; the report identified an irrigation pond and an existing vineyard on the property. The staff recommendation, as read at the hearing, was to grant the administrative permit subject to the findings and conditions in the staff report.
Gary Rizzio, representing Sundial Ranch LLC, spoke in support of the proposal and said, “I second everything that has been said so far, and I hopefully, and I remain hopeful that the permit would be granted.” The zoning administrator opened the public hearing; no members of the public offered comment either in person or via Zoom.
After staff presentation and no public comment, the zoning administrator moved to approve the permit “subject to the findings and conditions contained in the staff report,” and the motion was adopted. The record at the hearing does not show a separate second or a roll-call vote; the zoning administrator announced the project was approved.
The permit authorizes use of the existing structure for an agricultural processor/craft distilling operation tied to grapes produced on an adjacent, commonly owned property; staff stated no new septic system is anticipated. The permit and its conditions, as referenced at the hearing, are the controlling implementation documents and will govern hours of operation, waste handling, and other site-specific requirements included in the conditions of approval.
The zoning administrator adjourned the meeting at 1:39 p.m.
