NAPA, Calif.— A legal agreement to permanently protect more than 60 acres of open space as part of a vineyard project was approved by the Napa County Board of Supervisors today. The agreement between the Center for Biological Diversity and KJS developers also calls for a reduction in size of the vineyard development from 113 acres to 89 acres in order to protect an important wildlife corridor.

“So many Napa County hillsides are vulnerable to development, so I’m relieved that we’re able to rescue a great swath of this beautiful native landscape,” said Frances Tinney, an attorney at the Center. “This agreement is an example of how to honor the region’s wine-making heritage while combining responsible development with habitat protection.”

Today’s agreement comes after the Center appealed the county’s approval of the KJS & Sorrento vineyards.

As part of today’s agreement, the developers will donate 63 acres of the property to Land Trust of Napa County for permanent protection. The project originally approved by the county had a larger footprint and did not include the land donation.

The Center agreed to withdraw the appeal and not challenge the vineyard project as part of this agreement.