Winery Clerks Fined

A joint sting operation by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department and state Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) resulted in clerks at three North County wineries being cited for selling alcohol to a minor on 12/28. Thirteen establishments in Buellton, Solvang, Los Olivos, and Santa Ynez were tested by a decoy working with the sheriff and ABC. The clerks could each pay a $250 fine, while the wineries themselves could be fined and have their liquor licenses revoked or suspended.