Reimagining Vineyards. Revitalizing Revenue. Reconnecting with Community.  For over 40 years, Allen Land Design has helped shape the beauty and function of Northern California’s iconic wine country. We’ve built bocce courts, tasting patios, and elegant garden  landscapes. But today, every winery has these—and still, many are struggling.  It’s time for something new.  Introducing: “Beyond the Vines” – A New Vision for Wine Country  We are partnering with forward-thinking wineries ready to transform unused or underperforming vineyard blocks (5–25 acres) into innovative, revenue-generating, and community-driven destinations.  Instead of competing with 5–7 tastings in a day, offer your guests a 2–3 hour immersive experience that blends agriculture, art, technology, food, and connection.  What’s Growing Next? (Hint: It’s not just grapes)  Before the grape boom, Sonoma and Napa counties grew:  • Grains (wheat, barley) – Perfect for

Assembly Bill 720 created a new Estate Tasting Event Permit (Type 93) that allows Type 02 wineries to exercise their tasting room privileges at properties they own or control, whether adjacent to the licensed premises or at non-adjacent vineyard sites. While this new privilege offers wineries greater flexibility to host immersive vineyard experiences, it does not override local land use controls. Sonoma County recently issued guidance clarifying how the Type 93 permit may be used on agriculturally zoned vineyard parcels and when additional land use approvals are required. Sonoma County’s Approach to Vineyard Tastings Sonoma County has clarified how Type 93 permits may be used on vineyard parcels located within the County’s primary agricultural zoning districts: LIA – Land Intensive Agriculture LEA – Land Extensive Agriculture DA – Diverse Agriculture The County distinguishes between recreational uses of a vineyard, which may occur without land use approval

Every vineyard tells a story, but some chapters aren’t easy to read. Hidden beneath the surface—or buried in old records—are secrets that can affect your land’s value, your ability to develop, or even your next harvest. Whether you inherited your vineyard, bought it as-is, or have managed it for years, uncovering these hidden details is crucial. That’s where Ray Carlson & Associates steps in, combining decades of experience with cutting-edge technology and deep historical research to reveal what your vineyard isn’t telling you. What Kinds of Secrets Are We Talking About? Unrecorded Easements: Access rights or utility corridors that don’t appear in your current deed but can limit how you use your land. Boundary Discrepancies: Old surveys or informal boundaries that don’t match legal property lines, causing confusion or disputes with neighbors. Hidden Utilities: Underground water lines, irrigation pipes, or cables not documen

A draft Napa County Regional Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (RCAAP) has been released for public comment. The draft and related documents can be found at https://climateactionnapa.konveio.com/  Comments are due by September 30, 2025. This draft has been in development for many years, and covers the County of Napa, the Cities of American Canyon, Calistoga, Napa, and St. Helena, and the Town of Yountville. It includes Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission reduction targets of up to 85 percent by 2045. At the same time, it aims to achieve “carbon neutrality” by 2045, primarily by reforestation of burned areas of the County to promote natural carbon sequestration and removing GHGs from the atmosphere. The draft discusses 21 GHG reduction strategies with 46 GHG reduction measures across seven emissions sectors, (though the draft only quantifies the impact of 17 of those measures). The seven sectors, in declining order of their listed percentage of GHG Emissions, are: On-Road Tr

The clink of glasses, the warmth of late afternoon sun across the vines—these are the moments that define a winery. But digital marketers can get stuck in the rut of Facebook posts and Instagram stories that have become repetitive and rote. How do you translate the sensory magic of a tasting room into strategies that make visitors show up in person? Take a look at some marketing channels that are not as used by wineries, where old-school storytelling and next-gen tech converge to give you a competitive edge. Connected TV: Your Vineyard in 4K Another banner ad, another still photo, another yawn. Sometimes the channel itself can leave you feeling confined to content that lacks vitality. If you’re facing that, and you’ve got the budget, think about going big on video and distributing it via Connected TV.. Connected TV (CTV) lets you beam the romance of your winery directly into living rooms, framed by the cinematic power of streaming. Think smart TVs, Roku, Apple TV&

When it comes to selling vineyard or winery property, it’s not just about location—it's about clarity, compliance, and confidence. That’s where Ray Carlson & Associates comes in. With more than 40 years of experience in surveying and land consulting, Ray Carlson & Associates helps wine industry professionals protect their investment and maximize value by providing comprehensive, high-precision land surveys. Whether you're selling your estate or subdividing a large property, a survey is more than a technical requirement—it’s a strategic tool. Why a Land Survey Matters When Selling Selling a vineyard or winery often involves complex property features—easements, access roads, water rights, and unique zoning requirements. A boundary dispute or an overlooked flood zone designation can delay or derail a deal. Ray Carlson & Associates offers a suite of services to ensure your transaction goes smoothly: Boundary and Easement Sur

Starting a new vineyard or expanding an existing one is a complex and costly process. Without accurate land data, vineyard development projects can face delays, legal disputes, and unforeseen costs. That’s why land surveys are an essential first step for any vineyard development project. At Ray Carlson & Associates, we’ve been helping vineyard owners in Sonoma, Napa, and surrounding areas navigate the challenges of vineyard development for over four decades. Here’s why accurate land surveys are so important. Planning Your Vineyard Development The first step in vineyard development is determining whether the land is suitable for growing grapes. Accurate surveying data allows vineyard managers and developers to evaluate key factors such as: Topography: The shape and slope of the land will influence water drainage and irrigation planning. Soil Quality: Knowing the soil composition and its ability to support grapevines is crucial. Sun Exposure: The orientation

When it comes to buying or selling land, especially in the wine industry, it's crucial to ensure that property boundaries are clearly defined. One of the most important tools for achieving this is an ALTA/NSPS survey - an industry standard for real estate transactions.  Ray Carlson & Associates specializes in provided detailed ALTA surveys for wineries, vineyards and other wine industry properties. Understanding what an ALTA survey entails and why it's important can help ensure that your property transactions proceed smoothly.  What is an ALTA Survey?  An ALTA/NSPS survey is a type of land survey that adheres to specific standards set by the American Land Title Association (ALTA) and the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). These surveys are typically required for real estate transactions, particularly those involving title insurance. They provide a detailed report of the property's boundaries, improvements, easements, and any oth

Afternoon Brief, May 2nd

How Wine Brands Are Leveraging Douyin’s 750 Million Daily Users to Boost Sales: Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, commands an unparalleled audience, making it a powerhouse in driving digital sales across countless categories—including wine...

Changing the Rules: Hoopes Trial Could Upset Decades of Zoning & Winery Permits in Napa Valley

The result of Napa Valley V. Lindsay Blair Hoopes Et al could have a significant and lasting impact on “small wineries” in the Napa Valley — and influence whether they […]