Planning commission approves wine tasting room

Cheers to five years. That's all it took for Oscar Ramos to open a wine tasting room for Ramos Torres Winery using expertise he gained from his 2003 Bachelor of Arts in enology from California State University, Fresno. Finding his wine niche after college was simple -- keep his wine local. "Wine is wine, to me it's more cultural," Ramos said about his choice to keep his product in the Valley. "I just stuck here instead of venturing off (because) there's a need for educated wine makers to stay in this area."

But though his location aims have been constant -- his career goal wasn't always wine.

Ramos had declared himself a business major, until he wandered into the enology department.

"It was kind of an accident. I just said, you know what, this is what I want to do."

No stranger to things falling into place, Ramos still had to go before the Planning Commission Aug. 14 for a conditional use permit for his wine tasting room and wine accessory store.
Planning and Development Director Terry Schmal went over the site plan and it now proceeds to the Sept. 3 City Council meeting.

Though it isn't final until the Council approves it, the Planning Commission's support as well as no negative feedback from the community, makes it seem that the wine tasting room will fit in with Kingsburg businesses on Simpson Street.

Next to the Hye Life restaurant and right by the Old 99, the business is in a location where it can flourish, Ramos said.

"Lo and behold... I think everything is going to happen OK," Ramos said.

Ramos's current goals are set toward the planned opening weekend -- Nov. 1 and 2, which will give him a chance to show his product in a new way.

"Now we can talk about our wines," Ramos said. "Promote our product. This setting is more relaxed. People have a more personal experience."