CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : NAPA : County Bans New Wine ‘Boutiques’
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
The famed Napa Valley wine-producing region has banned tasting rooms and souvenir shops in new wineries after years of controversy over “boutique wineries” designed more for tourism than wine production. Napa County supervisors decided that all new vineyards must be designed solely for fermenting and processing wine grapes. Vintners must also use at least three-quarters Napa County grapes in their wines. The decision allowed the valley’s existing 70 wineries to continue to lure tourists with souvenirs, tastings, restaurants and music festivals. It follows a growing argument over the balance of viticulture and tourism as traffic congestion and development alter the rural character of the valley.