By Brian Park
Another wine-tasting business is on its way to San Juan Capistrano, after the Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit for the site on Tuesday night.
Suzy Fairchild and Randy Fisher of Rancho Santa Margarita have proposed to open Five Vines Wine Bar, a 1,000-square foot venue, at 31761 Camino Capistrano. The husband-and-wife team plan to feature 40 different wines to taste, along with beer, appetizers and wine-and-food pairings.
The proposed wine bar is located within the “Town Center” zone district, which allows for wine tasting businesses so long as they operate with a Planning Commission-approved conditional use permit. Fairchild and Fisher were met with little resistance on Tuesday, as the commission unanimously approved their permit.
The commission approved the permit with the stipulation that any special activities at the wine bar be approved with a corresponding permit. In a letter to the city, Fairchild and Fisher stated that they have not planned any regular events.
Fairchild will manage the day-to-day business, according to Fisher. Only two regular employees will be on site and the venue will have seating for up to 33 patrons. The proposed hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Sunday to Saturday. The business will be closed on Mondays. The couple hope to open the bar by October 22—their first wedding anniversary.
After the commission’s decision, Fairchild and Fisher said they chose downtown San Juan Capistrano as the site for their wine bar because of the area’s atmosphere and its accessibility for foot traffic.
“We love the physical location that we found … We’ve sat in the parking lot and watched people walk around freely,” Fisher said.
The commission’s decision comes nearly three months after the City Council approved a deal with Trabuco Canyon-based Hamilton Oaks Vineyard to operate a wine-tasting and special events venue at the historic Swanner House. At their meeting on July 17, the City Council turned down Hamilton Oaks owner Ron Tamez’s revised site plan for the venue because it required further city review.
