The Santa Barbara County wine and wine grape sector and the related businesses that support the industry provide a total contribution of $1.7 billion in annual economic activity for the region, according to a February report commissioned by the Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers.

Also in the report — “The Economic Impact of California Wine and Grapes on Santa Barbara County 2022” — is this: The county’s wine industry provides 10,202 local jobs and $602.6 million in annual wages and benefits.

The local winemaking industry also generates $117.2 million in annual tourism spending from its 1.1 million annual visitors, the report stated.

“Santa Barbara County is a significant contributor to the local, state and national economies with jobs, tax revenue and community donations,” said Alison Laslett, CEO of the Santa Barbara Vintners.

Named Wine Enthusiast’s “Wine Region of the Year in 2021,” Santa Barbara County has earned global recognition — its various microclimates, from windy and cooler to hot, lead to premium wines.

The region has 327 area wineries and vineyards that produce more than 70 different wine grape varieties on 15,750 acres.

There are seven AVAs: The Santa Maria Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Happy Canyon, the Los Olivos District, Santa Ynez Valley and Alisos Canyon.

Santa Barbara County’s wine sector is also dedicated to communities across California as a contributor to the wine industry’s donation of $291.2 million to various charities.

The report measures the full economic impact of the wine and wine grape industries in terms of employment, wages, output, taxes, tourism spending and visits and charitable giving.

Santa Barbara Vintners (Santa Barbara County Vintners Association) is a nonprofit 501(c)6 organization founded in 1983 to protect and promote Santa Barbara County as a world-class wine producing and wine-grape growing region.

2022 Grape Crush Down 6.7% From 2021 Yields

In its annual February report, the California Department of Food and Agriculture revealed that the 2022 crush totaled 3,620,595 tons of grapes, down 6.7% from the 2021 crush of 3,880,141.

Red wines accounted for the largest share of all grapes crushed, at 1,885,875 tons, down 7.2 percent from 2021. White wine varieties crushed totaled 1,463,787 tons, down 8.6% from 2021.

Tons crushed for raisin type varieties totaled 103,812, down at an even higher rate — 24.8% — from 2021.

The Grape Crush Report includes the total number of tons crushed for concentrate production. In order to determine the numbers, each processor was required to report the estimated equivalent tons of grapes crushed for concentrate.

For the 2022 vintage, this total was 232,391 tons, 6.4% of the 2022 grape crush total.

The 2022 average price of all varieties was $910.80, up 5.7% from 2021. Average prices for the 2022 crop by type were as follows: red wine grapes, $1,150.58, up 7.2% from 2021; white wine grapes, $682.07, up 1.0% from 2021; raisin grapes,
$314.27, up 7.8% from 2021; and table grapes, $215.64, up 17.9% from 2021.

In 2022, cabernet sauvignon surpassed chardonnay as the variety with the largest percentage of the total tonnage crushed, at 15.4%. Chardonnay accounted for the second largest percentage of the total crush at 14.4%.

District 13 (Madera, Fresno, Alpine, Mono, Inyo Counties; and Kings and Tulare Counties north of Nevada Avenue (Avenue 192), had the largest share of the state’s crush at 1,149,339 tons. The average price per ton in District 13 was $357.48.

Grapes produced in District 4 (Napa County) received the highest average price at $6,847.19 per ton, up 12.2% from 2021, according to the report.

Local Winemaker Teams with Coastal Vineyard Care For “Milestone” Winery

Central Coast-based winemaker Alisa Jacobson and Coastal Vineyard Care Associates have established a new winery in the Santa Ynez Valley: “Milestone.”

Jacobson’s existing Turning Tide and “AJ” wine labels will also be produced at the site, the former Bridlewood Estate Winery.

Jacobson has a new label — the “Made with Organic Grapes” line of wines — which she will produce under the Turning Tide umbrella. Her first “Made” wines are a sauvignon blanc and cabernet sauvignon.

Of these wines, produced with CCOF certified organic grapes grown on the Central Coast, Jacobson said: “Making quality organic wines at a value-driven price is how we can shift the conversation from grapes to farming. If we can get the consumer to think about making a purchase based on better farming practices, I think we are making great progress.”

Jacobson is a lead researcher and organizer with the West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force.

Along with Ben Merz, Mike Testa and Ruben Solorzano, co-owners of Coastal Vineyard Care, Jacobson has assumed a long-term lease agreement with winery owner Scott Ehrlich. Under Ehrlich’s ownership, the estate and its surrounding vineyards have become CCOF certified. The winery project has been named “Milestone” for its commitment to organic farming.

Said Merz, who has been with CVCA since 2001: “We are excited about this partnership for numerous reasons, not the least of which is Alisa’s commitment to organic farming and organic winemaking. She represents the future of the wine business, as she was addressing consumer needs regarding transparency of ingredients and farming methods before it became fashionable to do so.

“She cares about the customer, and about the integrity of the product.” 

The partnership launched with the 2022 vintage, with Jacobson overseeing winemaking not only for her own brands, but also for forthcoming brands, working in close tandem with several clients on custom crush and brand winemaking.

Coastal Vineyard Care Associates, founded in 1983 by Jeff Newton, is a leading vineyard management company in the Central Coast. Headquartered in Buellton, it serves the Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Maria Valley, Happy Canyon and Los Olivos District AVAs within Santa Barbara County.

SYV Historical Museum Unveils California “Stock Saddle” Exhibition

Coming on Saturday, April 8, will be a reception for a new exhibition, one that features a comprehensive study of the Vaquero saddle from the mid 1800s to present, according to the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum.

When one asked to describe types of saddles, many respond “English and Western” — but that’s only part of the answer. Here on the Central Coast, many horsemen and women depend on what’s known as a stock saddle for work, play and display.

When the Spanish began colonizing California, their government established ranchos for grazing cattle near the presidios, which in turn became a major enterprise.

With ranchos, a new breed of stock tender emerged: The Vaquero. His style of saddlery was mostly derived from the provinces of northern Mexico.

After Mexico won its independence from Spain, the Mexican government distributed lands previously under control of the missions to private individuals through a process of land grants from the territorial government in “Alta California.”

Thus began our state’s Rancho period when horse and rider were prominent in Central Coast history.

Exhibit visitors will be able to trace the evolution of the stock saddle from the early and simple “mochila” saddle of the 1800s through the elaborate silver-studded parade, show and trophy saddles popular today.

The April 8 reception will feature museum historian John Copeland and experts Bill Reynolds and Tom Peterson. All will be on hand to discuss the details of each saddle and the history of the saddle makers.

James Ontiveros, whose ancestor Tomas Ontiveros’ saddle is included in the exhibit, will be on hand to pour his Native9 wines and relay the history of his ranchero family.  

Tickets to the reception, which will take place from 4-6 p.m., are $10 for the general public and $5 for museum members.  

The exhibit has been sponsored by the Noblitt Family and Cactus Saddles.

Information and tickets: 805.688.7889, or info@santaynezmuseum.org.

Lagerville Beer Festival Returns to Buellton April 15

With more than 50 breweries slated to participate, the nation’s premier event devoted to lagers will return to Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. on Saturday, April 15.

Lagerville is expected to celebrate its fourth year in style, with more breweries from around the world, and the addition of a juried competition to pick the best producers.

This panel will grant honors for best light and dark lagers, plus a people’s choice award.

“Over the years, we’ve seen the quality of lagers brought to the festival just punch through the ceiling,” said Kevin Ashford, brew master at Figueroa Mountain. “This competition seeks to highlight that by honoring those beers with some well-deserved industry recognition.”

While lager may have a reputation as a “boring” beer, the term “lager” is a broad term that comprises diverse styles of beer, one defined by its bottom-fermenting yeast and lower fermentation temperatures.

The event will take over the campus of Figueroa Mountain’s Buellton location, 45 Industrial Way, from noon to 4 p.m. Tickets: $55 general admission or $65 for VIP, which includes early access at 11 a.m..

Live entertainment will be provided by R&B tribute band The 90’s Babiez, as well as Reggae band Dante Marsh & the Vibe Setters, and DJ Peetey.

Food will also be available for purchase from Figueroa Mountain, as well as from food trucks Birria Boyz, Elubia’s Kitchen and more.

Lagerville will be produced by En Fuego Events, the team behind popular parties like Surf ‘N’ Suds, Buellton Brew Festa and more.

Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. was founded in 2010 by father and son team Jim and Jamie Dietenhofer.

Sta. Rita Hills Alliance Launches “Saunters & Sips” at El Presidio

Come Saturday, April 29, aficionados of the Sta. Rita Hills are invited to “Saunter and Sip” their way through the historic El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park, 123 E. Canon Perdido St. in Santa Barbara.

Newly released rosés and sparkling wines will complement the tasting as Sta. Rita Hills’ wineries showcase current and new releases from one of California’s coolest growing regions.

Live guitar music will be performed by Grady DiPietro, and food provided by Buena Onda.

The event will be held from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Live music and food will complement the afternoon tasting. Tickets start at $99 and are available via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/srhwa-saunters-and-sips-tickets-459207811927

Laurie Jervis can be reached via winecountrywriter@gmail.com. The opinions expressed are her own.