2018 September - Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 📝
MEETING NOTES
IN ATTENDANCE: Stephen Janes, A.J. Fairbanks, Katy Rogers, Ross Rankin, Laura Booras, Callie Gleason, Karen Steinwachs
Item 1: Call to Order
o Meeting called to order (9:12am)
Item 2: Review and Approve August Minutes
o Minutes for August 15, 2018 approved by board
Item 3: Financials
o QuickBooks online is allowing for some streamlining
o Currently on Budget but Mission SB money starting to come in so some bump
o Professional Fee=PR Firm, Lawyers, Accountants, Book Keeping, Civitas
o Board requesting this being broken out (Code 7600)
o P&L by Class: Different classes can be seen here
o Detailed code of 7600 to be shown in future meetings
o Balance sheet: $50,000 in bank
o A/R follow-up: We have received some outstanding money
o Blackbird: Stated check is forthcoming
o UBOC is sending money for VF 18 sponsorship
o Renewal invoices could be sent in November to start flow of money
o $50,000 approved funds from Foundation is still pending
o Call scheduled with lawyer to discuss money exchange between Foundation>Vintners
o A/R update: Going forward, must get sponsorship money upfront
o Quarterly updates on what SBV is doing for them
o Letter before invoices explaining why now if paid late
Item 4: Alison Update
o Wine Bid
§ Civitas under contract, met with county supervisors on conference call
§ Shooting to get their inquiry on October 18th calendar
§ Data by November 1st
§ This will allow us to get real data and not theoretical
§ Civitas and 360ViewPR advise to wait on figures before announcing bid
§ Will announce bid to media when figures available and allowed to be analyzed
§ Requesting wineries to share DtC numbers to help in analysis proactively
§ Attempting to find out tasting room, merchandise, wine club #’s, etc.
§ Anonymous Survey Monkey suggested
§ Call wineries for this info
§ Case production needs to be included
§ How much selling is as much a key figure as production
§ Pulling 2017 numbers (even though down year) can be done easily with most systems
§ County will chase fees if not paid
§ Is everyone a member if bid passes? Still assessing. Visit SB=No, Visit SYV=Yes
o Specialty Crop Grant
§ Nothing released at this point. Contacted Paso Wine to confirm
o SOMM III Premiere
§ Filmmakers are super excited about Solvang event
§ 100 tickets currently sold, 300 to break even, 400 makes money
§ Vintners that pour: Currently one comped ticket
§ Volunteers are welcome
Item 5: Events
o Mission Santa Barbara
§ We will have a great turnout
§ Events are all secured
§ Strategic planning all scheduled
o December Strategic Planning Meeting
§ Scheduled for December 12, 2018, 9am-5pm
o Vintners Festival 2019
§ Aiming for Rancho Sisquoc with a sponsorship from Santa Maria Valley
§ Visited founders, very excited to host festival
§ Katie Hershfelt attended to help with detailed questions
§ May 4, 2019 a possibility to avoid rain and take advantage of blooming landscape
§ Prepare for “Always in April” sentiment
§ Pursue possibility to bring Katie Hershfelt on for all events: Considering
§ Possibility of combining Wine Futures and Vintners Festival=No
§ Switch Wine Futures to April, Vintners Festival to May
§ Theme of Vintners Festival: Educational, i.e. cooper, bottling line
§ Vote on moving Vintners Festival to May 4, 2019: All approve
o Wine Futures
§ White and red wine offered
§ Looking to keep funds in association, but charitable endeavor included: Keep local
§ Special lots including barrels and cuvees
§ Bought the day of auction, picked up later by consumer
§ Winery to make FOB
§ Could have committee instead of a retailer, but retailer could ease workload
§ Past events: 300-400 attendees
§ April 13, 2019 date tentative
o Taste of the Valley
§ All onboard, date changed to October 17-20, 2019
§ Visit SYV all marketing for food and wine
§ Members meeting to discuss is pending
§ All members to consider with profit going to SBV
Item 6: Other New Business
o Conjunctive Labeling Update
§ Callie Gleason presented report on why this is so important for SBC future
§ Larger AVA followed by individual AVA=More awareness according to studies
§ Follow European model
§ Sentiment to keep single AVA=Must educate
§ Honing in on how to implement this: voluntary, creating rule, etc.
§ Show examples of old labels where conjunctive labeling was used
§ Timing of this message will be crucial
§ Building community through conjunctive labeling
o Santa Barbara Restaurant Award
§ Re-visit this award to honor establishment that showcases SBC wine
§ Do around restaurant week
§ To be considered? Santa Barbara city, valley, etc.?
o Peter Work’s Status as Board Member
§ Still recovering, considering resigning
§ May need to pursue new member
Item 7: Meeting Adjourned
o Meeting adjourned at 11:26am