Winery expansion moves to final county vote

Approval of a conditional-use permit required for a Milton-area winery to reopen and expand into hosting weddings and other events was endorsed by a county panel and now goes to the Sussex County Council for a final decision in January.

Twin Branch Winery owner Shauna Thompson and her husband, Wayne Hawkins, who manages the business, said they were pleased after the county planning & zoning commission recommended approval Dec. 11.

Thompson said it was unfortunate the business could not be open for the current holiday season, but they look forward to next year. 

During a public hearing Nov. 20 before the commission, one neighbor spoke in favor of the request. Afterward, several commissioners said they supported it. A decision on its recommendation was postponed until Dec. 11.

Hawkins said in early November that plans to expand the winery’s operation were delayed when the state fire marshal’s office concluded during a seasonal shutdown after its first season in 2023 that the business would need a fire sprinkler system. A 20,000-gallon water tank, alarm and sprinkler system were installed by June. 

Things, however, got more complicated when county officials said the business also needed approval of a conditional use to expand into hosting events in an AR-1, agricultural-residential, zone off Saw Mill Road. Chip Guy, communications director for Sussex County, said the county expedited the approval process for the company. 

The lack of required local approvals prompted the state Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control to suspend Twin Branch’s farm winery license that’s needed to process grapes into wine and sell the product.

The agency informed the owners that the license will be restored when the company receives all necessary local approvals. That could come as soon as next month when the council acts on the conditional-use request. Hawkins has said the business could reopen shortly after that.