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What’s the Future of Wine Country?

Santa Barbara County’s Winery Ordinance Update Kicks Off

Friday, August 24, 2012
By Matt Kettmann (Contact)

The slow-simmering process to determine the future of Santa Barbara’s wine country was tossed in the frying pan on Thursday night at the Marriott in Buellton, when about 200 people gathered to learn about and comment on the County of Santa Barbara’s plan to overhaul the winery ordinance. Though many expected yet another feisty affair in what has become a testy relationship between the wine industry and a few of its neighbors — the county even planned for as much, with “ground rules” that included “no personal attacks” as one of many guidelines — there was very little rancor and name-calling.

A woman puts her suggestion on the wall during the winery ordinance update hearing on August 23.
Click to enlarge photo

Matt Kettmann

A woman puts her suggestion on the wall during the winery ordinance update hearing on August 23.

Instead, amidst a who’s who of the county’s wine scene — from pioneers like Brooks Firestone to up-and-comers such as Brandon Sparks-Gillis of Dragonette Cellars — the hearing was more of a love-fest for the wine industry. Industry proponents, including numerous nonprofit directors, hotel representatives, and civic/business leaders from Lompoc, Buellton, and Solvang, dominated the meeting room, with the vast majority of those in attendance sporting “Wine = Jobs” stickers. Of the 43 people who spoke, more than 90 percent were in favor of existing or less regulations on the wine industry, with only three people expressing any desire for tighter permitting rules.

In addition to public comments, attendees at the August 23 winery ordinance hearing were invited to submit suggestions via Post-it notes.
Click to enlarge photo

Matt Kettmann

In addition to public comments, attendees at the August 23 winery ordinance hearing were invited to submit suggestions via Post-it notes.

Although already discussed in smaller, private meetings held over the past year with various stakeholders, Thursday night was the first public hearing of the controversial update. In front of the room were six of the County Planning Department’s top brass, who explained that the update is likely to address six main issues: ordinance structure, tasting rooms, food service, special events, neighborhood compatibility, and enforcement/monitoring. In addition to those who spoke aloud, the county invited people to write their suggestions on Post-It notes and paste them on the walls under one of the six categories. Dozens did so.

About 200 people packed the Buellton Marriott's ballroom to learn more about the winery ordinance.
Click to enlarge photo

Matt Kettmann

About 200 people packed the Buellton Marriott’s ballroom to learn more about the winery ordinance.

Though some are interested in improving the ordinance to respond to changes in the business, most winemakers fear that any tightening of the rules could do significant damage to the still emerging industry. Many argued that the existing ordinance, which was drafted less than a decade ago, still works well and that this process will only serve to cost the cash-strapped county a lot of unnecessary time and money.

Those in favor of stricter regulations, meanwhile, say that the rise in tasting rooms and special events throughout the Santa Ynez Valley could lead to traffic problems, drunk drivers, and noise and light pollution at night, among other impacts.

Post-It notes with differing views at the August 23 winery ordinance update hearing.
Click to enlarge photo

Matt Kettmann

Post-It notes with differing views at the August 23 winery ordinance update hearing.

After the hearing’s comments are collected and made public, the next step is for a series of topic-based meetings, scheduled to occur in November. The hope is that a new ordinance would be drafted by summer of 2013.

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