Proposed Winery Ordinance Released

In the works for almost three years, the proposed update to Santa Barbara County’s winery ordinance was released today, officially revealing the expected three-tier structure for future winery development. Read the 319-page document here.

The ordinance update has been the source of much wine country angst in recent years, as winemakers fear it will make an already cutthroat business harder. But others who live in parts of the Santa Ynez Valley fear that, without new rules, winery development could run rampant and threaten the rural charm of the region.

All of those concerns and more are sure to be aired at the proposed update’s June 25 hearing at 6 p.m. in Los Olivos inside St. Mark’s in-the-Valley Church’s Stacy Hall. Comments will be accepted on the document until July 13.