A Placer County winery that opened just last year is already raising a glass to something bigger.
Lecavalier Cellars, which launched its first tasting room in Newcastle in May 2024, is now planning an ambitious new estate at 7851 Callison Rd in the rolling hills of historic Penryn.
The development, dubbed Project 8 Winery by founder Mike Fournier, has been years in the making and cleared its first hurdle when the Placer County Board of Supervisors gave it the green light in June 2023.
Sprawled across a stunning 175-acre property, about 50 acres are already flourishing with Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Malbec, and Barbera vines. Most of the land is devoted to vineyards and open space, with less than one-tenth of a percent reserved for development.
According to Lecavalier’s website, the multi-level facility will feature an indoor tasting room, an outdoor patio, a private tasting room, an exclusive reserve retreat, walking paths, a wine processing viewing area, a one-of-a-kind cave, and a fine-dining restaurant. From the top of the rotating tasting room, visitors can soak in sweeping views of the Sacramento Valley, Sierra Nevada, and Placer County.
The plans also include a 23,500-square-foot production and warehouse building, which is expected to turn out an impressive 50,000 cases of wine annually.
“Prepare to indulge your senses as you step into a world of unparalleled elegance and charm,” the winery teases online. “From the moment you arrive, you’ll be captivated by the beauty of the vineyards, basking in the warm California sun.”
Lecavalier Cellars hopes to break ground in Penryn in 2025 or 2026. For a sip of what’s to come, visitors can make a reservation at the Newcastle tasting room.
