About 30 years ago, Lou Preston approached me and a few other principals in Dry Creek Valley to discuss his proposal to form The Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley. He invited me because I was a grower and he invited a few winery owners including Dave Stare. A few years after the organization was formed, The Passport to Dry Creek Valley was started. I was on the committee for many years after that. As most of you know I have been less involved over the last few years but I feel it necessary to provide a brief history of the passport event and the reimbursement policy in the past and the policy now.

The first two years of the Passport event was a learning experience. Since I had not started my winery yet, I made it my policy to tour all the participating wineries each year. I reported back to the Passport committee and also the Board. I was also a member of the board for several years around that time. What was surprising back then was some wineries had a nice spread of food and a few had virtually nothing of interest. The most important winery back then and still maybe even today was Rafanelli. Rafanelli at first only put out something like a few pieces of cheese and crackers, also Lytton Springs, I believe did not put out much either. The board and the committee decided to ask for an upgrade for the food that was offered since we were charging a premium price for the tickets.

After that we were very happy Rafanelli started providing the best spread in the valley and many of the other wineries attempted to keep up with them. I must admit I do not remember the reimbursement policy back then. I do know we were fairly reimbursed until a few years ago.

Now as you know, we have to have receipts for the food we serve and we are only reimbursed to 50% after $4500 and only up to $6000 total. That was the board’s decision but I think it is not the right thing to do, now. Our winery fees through the county have gone up substantially. Also we used to be able to have volunteers to help but not now because of insurance reasons and some laws, like workers comp. Now it seems you have a new policy this year. I was told we could not be compensated for our employees who helped in the parking lot because I did not hire extra people and pay them a separate salary. Because of the insurance laws I raised the salary of my employees for the Passport event but I was questioned about the amount I claimed. Since the wineries generate the profits for our organization, I feel we should be reimbursed at a higher rate. I have been amazed over the years to see the amount of cash that is kept in the bank. I feel we have plenty of money to distribute more to the wineries. For instance we could ask for receipts for at least $4500 for food and then pay a flat fee after that without additional proof. I think it would make it easier for all of us.