Trek Winery Sets Sept. 8 as Opening Date

The anticipation behind Trek Winery's opening has been similar to that few seconds between the twirl and smell of a fine wine and the first drops dancing on the taste buds. But the edge-of-the-seat waiting is about to end.

Trek's new tasting room, special-events hall and winemaking facility in Novato's Old Town district will open Sept. 8 about a year after the "opening soon" rumors started.

Trek owner/vintner Andy Podshadley said final preparations are being made at the 11,000-square-foot building at the corner of Machin and Sweetster avenues, formerly the longtime home to Tresch Electric.

"It's been a long haul, but it's going to be worth it," said Podshadley, a Novato native and resident.

Podshadley said the recent odds and ends have been hooking up various equipment, adding exit signs, shining things up and adding locks to the doors.  Earlier, upgrades to the 1940s-era building included government-compliant disabled access aids and a fire sprinkler system.

"Mainly we've been working on final little touches that really make the place spectacular," he said.

Trek, which has held multiple special events in the past few weeks, has about 7,000 square feet of area for the public to mingle plus the working winery and office space. It has a main tasting and seating area with a bar, a private tasting room, a barrel room, a kitchen, a laboratory, bathrooms and an outdoor patio area with a small waterfall. The wine bar will serve all nine varieties of Trek wine, sold by the glass, the bottle and the case both on-site and to-go.

Although Trek has a kitchen, it's set up only for special events and preparation of appetizers. Podshadley said there will be some salads and cheeses ready on hand plus an arrangement with nearby restaurant to provide more appetizer selections.

"We really believe it's a perfect setup," Podshadley said. "Hopefully this will work out for everyone. It's time to buckle down, make more wine, sell more wine and host some great events here."

Podshadley said he couldn’t help but remember the tribulations about his quest to find a home for his winery somewhere in his hometown. For years he had leased warehouse space in Sonoma to make his wine and operated the rest of his business out of his home. He tried in vain to before reaching a deal on the old Tresch building, which and sat vacant since a children's apparel and toy store had closed two years ago.

With the help of several investors, he nailed down the deal and received Novato City Council in May 2011, and has since been renovating the place mostly with volunteer friends and family. The place was packed July 24 when the held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Trek's barrel room.

Business leaders and city officials have repeatedly referred to Trek as a downtown destination, one that will help transform the Old Town area into a place more people will spend time, especially in the evenings. 

"Somebody told me it was like 'It's a Wonderful Life' when everybody wants this business to succeed," Podshadley said. "I will try my best not to let the city down."