Rutherford Depot Restoration Initiative.

The Rutherford Dust Society (RDS) is a 501 (c)(6) nonprofit with approximately 100 members whose mission is to preserve, protect and promote the Rutherford AVA, and to be good stewards of the land while building community.  In early 2020, we instituted an initiative to restore the Rutherford Depot which owned by the Wine Train. Failure to take action now could render the structure unsalvageable thus losing one of the last historic landmarks in Rutherford and Napa Valley.

The Rutherford Dust Society initiative includes the below 4 Key Objectives;

• Restoration of the Rutherford Depot maintaining historical integrity.
• Appropriate intensity of use measures to ensure safety and security of all guests and the community, while providing the Wine Train an economic return and compatible use.Development of a Rutherford AVA wine education, historic and cultural preservation space.
• Engagement to garner broad support with the local community and government. Our organization has been working with the Wine Train to help support the restoration of the Depot for over a year, however due to multiple reasons, including the impact of COVID, little progress has been made.  We have also shared our plan with local government representatives, Napa County Landmarks, and Vine Trail leadership, as well as other community leaders. Further the RDS has identified local, state and federal financial benefits, programs and incentives that would support and help finance this historic restoration. The RDS believes changes stemming from the pandemic to the Wine Train’s business/operating model and the opportunity to restore and reactivate the depot may align and provide a return that benefits their business, visitors to Napa Valley, and our community.
• Incorporation of a Rutherford historical and wine education center into the Depot restoration.

In summary, we have a tremendous opportunity and obligation to restore one of our last endangered landmarks in Rutherford and Napa Valley. Although the restoration will not be a short-term project, we must act now. Failure to do so will risk the ruin of this historical jewel forever.  Please show your support by endorsing our initiative ‘Here’.