A recent law change is creating new opportunities for the wine grape industry in Southern California.
Ordinance Brings New Wine Production
San Diego County Farm Bureau says it has seen a recent trend after a law change in the area. Membership and Project Manager Casey Anderson says the boutique winery ordinance was a long time coming. Small- to mid-sized wine grape growers were avoiding the area because of old laws, not being able to afford the old operating license for wine tasting, and found it hard to make it profitable by just selling their product at farmers markets. Area growers pushed for the ordinance to allow producers to have tastings on their property and Anderson says the bureau has seen an increase in wine grape vineyards in the county.