Sheriff's Department Conducts Decoy Operation at Local Wineries and Wine Bars

Solvang - May 6th, 2008

Sheriff’s Deputies with assistance from the Alcoholic Beverage Control performed a decoy operation on May 6, 2008, at local wineries and wine bars, located in the city of Solvang. Eleven (11) premises were visited during the operation resulting in four (4) citations being issued, to clerks who provided alcohol to a minor(s); the minor(s) working with Sheriff’s Deputies and ABC Agents during the operation. While conducting the operation, Deputies also issued a citation to an adult female who was walking with an open container of beer.

The four (4) clerks who provided the alcohol were issued citations for 25658 B&P – Provide Alcohol to a Minor.  The clerks will face a minimum fine of $1,000.00, and/or 24 hours of community service.  In addition to the criminal citations being issued to clerks who provided the alcohol, the Alcoholic Beverage Control will be taking administrative action against the alcoholic beverage licensee.  These administrative penalties may include a fine, a suspension of the alcohol license, or the permanent revocation of the alcohol license.

In addition to the decoy operations being conducted at the wineries/wine bars the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department designed and implemented a class to educate staff at the wineries and wine bars, W.E.A.L. class (Winery Education on Alcohol Laws).  The class details alcohol laws that pertain to tasting rooms, signs of intoxication, how to properly check identification, and other topics that pertain to the uniqueness of a tasting room’s daily operations.  This class is the only one of its kind being taught to winery and wine bar staff currently in the State.  The Sheriff’s Department has currently educated over 500 employees of 50 different wineries/wine bars located in Santa Barbara County.

The Sheriff’s Department is thankful to the seven (7) locations that refused to sell an alcoholic beverage to the 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. 

The decoy operation is funded by a grant given to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Grant Assistance Program (GAP). The grant includes alcohol education to the businesses and inspections of the premises and was awarded in July of 2007.

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