A meeting organized by Dave Pechan to discuss alternatives to a winery event moratorium and the possible formation of a winery organization in SJ County was held on June 25, 2012, at Miramont Estate, 24837 E. Milton Rd, Linden, CA.
Attendees (alphabetical):
Frankie & Annette, Musicians
Jon Bjork, Winery Consulant
Garrett Colli, Attorney, Downey Brand
Frank Gayaldo, Galt Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director
Richard & Janis Gray, Barsetti Vineyards
George Natsis, Omega Winery
Leroy Ornellas, San Joaquin County Supervisor
Dan Panella, Oak Farm Vineyards
Dave & Trish Pechan, Miramont Estate
Chris Powell, Attorney, Downey Brand
Mike Shinn, Oak Farm Vineyards
Vern & Janise Vierra, St. Jorge Winery
Craig Watts, Watts Winery
Meeting began at approximately 7:00pm.
Music and traffic appear to be the biggest concerns of those supporting moratorium, along with event centers.
Text amendments are usually saved until a General Plan update, unless there is an emergency situation.
At Abundance Vineyards, “So much wine was being sold there during events,” per Frank Gayaldo. Mike Shinn agreed that they sell more wine during events. Events are crucial to wine sales.
Leroy Ornellas:
“The Farm Bureau doesn’t want this to be Napa.”
“Once you have a majority of the supervisors in alignment, that’s the direction it goes for all the county departments.”
“You wineries have a lot of good will with the public. People in Stockton get it. You can have an impact if you handle it correctly.”
“Two Supervisors support the moratorium, and there could be a third in Ruhstaller. Villapudua is pro-business. It takes a degree of courage to stand up to two Supervisors. The SCIU is looking to get a third vote.” (Meaning three Supervisors lined up in agreement with SCIU.) “There is a rumor they are trying to eliminate term limits.”
“This happened in the dairy industry in Kern County, when large dairy companies started moving in. The county put a moratorium on all new dairies.”
“Write letters to the editor. There are lots of positive things you could do. Give pro-moratorium side a way out.”
Chris Powell:
“The General Plan could be sued, delaying the end of the moratorium, if passed. The effective date of the moratorium could be delayed by a lawsuit after the Board of Supervisors gives their okay.”
“Form an association. Representatives could meet with the Supervisors. Write letters to newspapers and Supervisors. Recruit wineries in each district. Unify your disjointed voices. You’ll need a name for the association, officers, then recruit a list of members. Attendance at public hearings is important. There were 2,000 people at one hearing we were at.”
The group then came to general consensus that the following will need to happen:
1) Name the association.
2) Appoint a board.
3) Recruit members.
4) Develop mission statement.
Leroy Ornellas:
“Twenty years ago there were six new towns in development. We formed the San Joaquin County Citizens Land Alliance, mirroring a similar association from [another] county. Eventually it became a 501(c)3. We had fundraisers right before the November election. There was real power in the association. Gather money, hold fundraiser, appoint officers and a spokesperson. We had a land use attorney from San Francisco.”
“It must be well-planned. What is the mission? Must pick a board, such as ag credit, farmers, local bank from different sectors. Everyone owned much land.”
“You want good initials for your association name. Plan a meeting two weeks before the election. There is a political side to jobs. Weddings, concerts, those are the real issues.”
The group then came to consensus that the association should be all-inclusive: wineries, restaurants, hotels, musicians, wedding caterers, everyday citizens, everyone and any business.
Vern Vierra took an action item to gather the email addresses of all meeting participants, then send the address back to the group.
The meeting concluded approximately 9:15pm.
