California’s wine industry is facing mounting pressures: rising production costs, increased competition, and shifting consumer habits. But a new Santa Barbara County ordinance—a mandate that all local wineries join a private marketing association and pay a 1% fee on their sales—is not only accelerating the squeeze on smaller operations, it’s also unconstitutional.
That’s why the Goldwater Institute sent a letter to Santa Barbara County leaders urging them to amend their ordinance and to make both the fee and the association membership voluntary. Goldwater just sent the letter on behalf of its client, Flying Goat Cellars, a local winery in Lompoc, Calif., whose owners are standing up against the county’s forced arrangement.
“I’m not opposed to partnerships or marketing,” said Flying Goat founder Norm Yost. “But as an independent business owner, I am opposed to being forced into an association I don’t necessarily agree with and paying fees that may not benefit my business. I just want to make wine I love and connect with customers on my own terms.”…