Lodi Wineries Hoping To Cash In On Weddings May Face Tough Choice With Williamson Act
LODI (CBS13) — Lodi wineries hoping to expand their businesses are finding they may have to give up cash to cash in on the wine country craze.
When spring comes, Harmony Wynelands winery will be in bloom and ready for brides.
"I'm noticing that this year in particular, I'm getting lots and lots of requests," said Linda Hartezell.
It's one of the few wineries that's allowed to be a wedding venue.
"We just felt like that was an opportunity to market our wines to a lot of different people, in fact, we have people from all over the world coming to this winery through being guests of the weddings," she said.
The vineyard is not subjected to the Williamson Act, a state tax break given to farmers to keep their land for agricultural use only. That means they can't host weddings, concerts or other large events
The San Joaquin County Farm Bureau says at least one winery is declining the tax break to be able to start hosting events, but there's a catch: The Williamson Act is a 10-year contract, and getting out of it could take years and a lot more money.
"You can seek a cancellation where you pay immediate and significant penalties. I think it's 12.5 percent of the assessed value of the land," said spokesman Bruce Blogget.
Properties that get out of the act would then have to follow county law, and that's where it gets complicated. San Joaquin County wants to change the winery ordinance to help keep the country quiet. That includes limiting special events to just 40 participants, no outdoor amplified sound, and possibly caps on the events a winery can hold.
