Balderdash Cellars Approved to Renovate Barn for Event Space

RICHMOND, Mass. — Local winery Balderdash Cellars on State Road (Route 41) has been approved to renovate an existing barn next to its main and winery building to utilize for events and overflow space.

Co-owners Donna and Christian Hanson want the renovated barn to maintain its rustic nature.

"From the outside, it is going to look very similar to what it does now, the footprint is not going to change, it will still look like a barn it will just look better and nicer and not fall down," Christian Hanson joked. "We want to keep it as rustic as possible."

They plan to install a floor and do repairs to make the barn structurally sound but do not plan on removing beams or making any drastic changes. The large red barn will be a three-season structure, as it does not have heat or air conditioning.

Balderdash operated in a commercial basement space on East Street in Pittsfield for seven years and moved in 2018 to the much larger location in Richmond. The Hansons had the main building constructed to house a winery in the basement and a public area on the main floor.

The winery sits on 21 acres overlooking Richmond Pond. In the warmer seasons, there is an abundance of outdoor seating, food vendors, and live music. Even during the novel corona pandemic, the Hansons were able to provide the public with a COVID-19-oriented version of the winery that was both safe and enjoyable.

This building renovation was approved by the Richmond Select Board earlier this month as a Farm Function Permit, which is a bylaw that allows farms to have events on their property and regulates the events that take place outside of normal business hours.

Hanson said the current permit did not include the structure they intend to renovate, so it was amended to include the barn.

Under the bylaw, Balderdash is considered a farm because of the size of its property. 

The Hansons have not done much with the barn until this year, when they decided they wanted to utilize its space after it is stabilized. They decided that it would be a great space for events and could provide extra sheltered seating if the main building fills up.

"If it's a rainy day and we have some overflow from our normal winery building, sure, we will set up a remote location in the barn," Christian Hanson said.

The barn is aimed to be completed by the end of 2021 and to be in use for the spring season 2022.  The Hansons hope that by then, the world will not be in the midst of a global pandemic and they will be able to utilize the space to its full potential.

Christina Hanson estimates that the project will cost around $100,000, but said it is just an estimate because the barn is really one of those projects where you don't know what you're getting into until you get into it.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.