 The
Economic Impact of Winegrowing in Santa Barbara County
The results of a year 2000 Economic Impact study that focused
on Santa Barbara County's wine industry
show that the county's wine industry has more than
doubled in size since 1996. The report was conducted
by Motto Kryla Fisher, LLP.
- More than 18,000
acres of grapevines and over 60 wineries, which directly
contributed $360 million to the county's economy
in the year 2000. This included revenues to growers
and wineries,
employee
wages
and money paid in-county for services and supplies.
- Santa Barbara County's wine industry employed over
3,800 people in full, part time and seasonal positions, and supported
numerous other jobs in
companies supplying the industry with materials and
services.
- Further impact, beyond the $360 million,
was made in the form of wages spent
in the local economy, wages and revenues created
in the distribution and sale of local wines in the
county, plus revenues generated by
tourism, restaurants, marketing and promotion, financial
and similar
institutions and in government tax revenues and license
fees.
- Wine is Santa Barbara County's number one finished
agricultural product, and the county's wine grape
crop made it the second most valuable
agricultural crop valued at $90 million in 2000.
- The
study found a substantial increase in wine-related
revenues--$136 million in 1998 to $360 million in
2000.
- Santa Barbara wines sell almost exclusively
in the premium market segment (750ml bottles retailing over $8 per bottle).
More than a decade later, the wine industry in Santa Barbara
County continues to grow and a further
study of the economic impact of the wine
industry to the county is in progress.
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