In 2018, Whitson CM became the construction manager of the 27-acre Europa Village winery development in Temecula, California. The site contained three connected wineries that had been planned to be built in unison, along with a large hotel development, but economic difficulties and the withdrawal of the previous managing contractor offered severe challenges that Whitson CM – who had begun work at Europa as the offsites contractor only – was asked to overcome. Once Whitson CM took the lead on the project, it was decided that the three Europa Village wineries would need to be constructed in stages while ensuring that the existing winery remained open, that the vast hills of vines encompassing the project remained undisturbed, and that costs be kept to an absolute minimum despite expansive changes in planning and design. Nonetheless, our team was ready for the challenge, ultimately completing the project on time and well under the original budget. While further challenges emerged during the duration of the project, our team remained flexible in confronting them, ensuring that the needs of the winery and surrounding community were met while the multi-phase construction process moved forward. Substantial public works improvements, for example, were required as the work on the Europa Village wineries moved forward, with our team not only widening the neighboring stretch of Racho California Road but also constructing a new, mile long La Serena Way to provide better access to the existing winery and neighboring businesses. Meanwhile, significant stormwater discharge issues were raised as Whitson CM regraded and developed the site, most of which formed a steep hill flowing down onto Rancho California Rd.

Despite some of the largest rain events in over a decade impacting the site during construction, our team utilized its expertise in stormwater management and compliance to mitigate the effects of stormwater discharges, constructing enormous drainage basins that could collect the torrential downpours before safely and cleanly discharging them off the property.

Our team’s handling of such challenges was a testament to our dedication to the owners and developers of any project, no matter how big, small, or complex. The changing nature of the Europa Villages project as it unfolded required a flexibility and professionalism that Whitson CM demonstrated with enthusiasm and continues to do so today.