(NVR) - Andrew Rudd talked about the winery he wants to create on 57 acres in the hills above St. Helena, with its pond that is a mecca for birds and animals and its vineyard in a bowl-like area.

He hopes to keep “the honor and tradition of Napa Valley going in this little piece of perfection,” Rudd said.

But the narrow, winding driveway leading to the property isn’t quite perfect. That proved the only point that gave the county Planning Commission pause on Wednesday as it discussed Rudd’s proposal.

After an hour-and-a-half, the commission unanimously approved the project known as 3646 SMR Vineyards Winery for production of up to 20,000 gallons a year and 84 visitors a week. The property is located at 3646 Spring Mountain Road.

Commissioner Anne Cottrell praised the look of the proposed winery, with its vertical wood siding, seam metal roofing and stone terraces.

“It appears they’ve made an effort to have the building blend in with the area,” Cottrell said. “It doesn’t stick out.”

Only the half-mile-long, common-access driveway generated significant discussion.

That driveway is 8 feet to 12 feet wide, as opposed to the county commercial standard of 18 feet with 1-foot shoulders. Short segments exceed the slope standard of 20 percent.

The winery sought – and won—an exception to county standards so it can reduce tree removal and grading on steep slopes. An improved version of the access road will be 12 feet at the narrowest and 20 feet at the widest, have a ribbed concrete surface on the steepest sections and have turnouts.

Resident Ginna Beharry said the project seems like another case of shoehorning in a winery where it doesn’t belong.

“This is not a safe road … you are putting at risk for life, limb and property,” Beharry said.

Neighbor Robert Holuba wrote to the commission saying the half-mile-access driveway has no room for two cars to pass without one car pulling off the pavement. It has numerous blind bends.

But the county’s Engineering Services Division and county Fire Department found that proposed road improvements will meet the goals of the county’s road standards while preserving environmental features. They concluded the road can serve the anticipated 19 daily trips generated by the winery, as well as those for nearby homes and the Keenan Winery.

The expert opinions swayed the Planning Commission.

Remote wineries served by smaller, more challenging roads can alert their by-appointment-only visitors that vehicles of certain sizes aren’t recommended, Planning Commission Chairman Michael Basayne said.

“I think it’s common sense and I think it is employed,” he said.

Rudd told the commission his background. He attended school at UC Berkeley in the early 1970s and visited family friends in Calistoga who had friends with vineyards and wineries.

“That together with the beauty of the valley, the weather and rural nature left a very strong impression on me,” Rudd said. “That remains with me today.”