Vintners Win "Wine War" in Placer County
PLACER COUNTY, CA - After years of battle, winemakers in Placer County will now be allowed to legally sell and have tasting rooms at their wineries after county supervisors unanimously approved a new winery ordinance.
"I think tourism will come into our county now. A lot of people I know go to Amador and El Dorado. They don't have to go there anymore," said a relieved Jim Taylor of Mt. Vernon Winery.
Taylor was one of the few Placer County wineries allowed to have a tasting room as he appealed for a new ordinance. He said allowing tasting rooms, sales and promotional events should boost business for all 10 approved wineries in the county.
"This is the type of business where it takes a long time to get people to come to you because you're in the country. You're not downtown at the mall. They have to find you," said Taylor "Now we can have a wine trail. We've never been able to have a wine trail."
The ongoing controversy came mostly from residents on private roads who feared the impact from allowing commercial traffic if they shared the road with a winery. More than 30 speakers made comments during the Tuesday board of supervisors hearing.
"Drivers' skills can easily be compromised by a period of tasting. These people would put at risk our families and our animals," said Claudia Starky of Penryn. Other opponents echoed those fears.
Proponents said allowing the wine tasting would help the county economy with increased tourism that now goes elsewhere.
"Seems like there'd be a lot of money coming into this county just from wine tasting and dinners over here. Why should it go to Napa?" asked Bob Fuentes.
Winery owners claim fears of drunk driving and high traffic volume are unfounded. Even with the new ordinance, wineries will have to apply for permits and meet standards for parking and safe roadways. They'll also be allowed to promote a limited number of special events each year.
Right now, there are only ten approved wineries in Placer County, with less than 300 acres of vineyards planted. That's far fewer than nearby El Dorado and Amador counties which have made a name for themselves as wine destinations.
"With this we're about on par with the surrounding counties, so that will be a help. I'd like to be able to have people legally come up and buy a bottle of wine, go away with it," said Charlie Green of Green Family Winery.