Solvang wineries nabbed in decoy
operation
The
Sheriff’s Department, with the assistance of the department of Alcoholic
Beverage Control, visited 11 Solvang wineries and wine bars in a decoy
operation May 6 resulting in four citations. Deputies also issued a citation to
an adult female who was walking with an open container of beer.
The
four clerks, whose names were not released, were issued citations for providing
alcohol to a minor and when sentenced will face a minimum fine of $1,000 and/or
24 hours of community service.
Employees
were cited at Mandolina Vineyards, Presidio Winery,
Uncorked Wine Shop and Alisal Cellars. Alcoholic
Beverage Control will take administrative action against the wineries and
penalties could include a fine and suspension or revocation of the alcoholic
beverage license.
The
wineries that refused to sell an alcoholic beverage to a minor were Curran
Wines, House of Honeywood, Lucas & Lewellen, Lions Peak, Stolpman
Vineyards and Winery, Tastes of the Valley and Alisal
Cellars (two separate wine bars of Alisal Cellars
were visited).
“The
Sheriff’s Department is thankful to the seven locations that refused to sell
alcoholic beverages to a minor. Decoy operations such as this one are helpful
in identifying premises that are not following safe and legal practices in
accordance with their alcohol licensing,” states Sgt. Alex Tipolt
in a press release.
The
decoy operation is funded by a grant from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Grant Assistance
Program. The grant also provides alcohol education classes which are
implemented through the Winery Education and Alcohol Laws class. Spearheaded by
Sgt. Sandra Brown, the class covers alcohol laws pertaining to tasting rooms,
signs of intoxication, how to properly check identification. and
other problems specific to wine tasting facilities and wine bars. The
department estimates that it has educated over 500 employees of 50 different
wineries in Santa Barbara County since the grant was awarded in July 2007.