About Us

Santa Barbara Vintners

Santa Barbara County Wine Improvement District

The Santa Barbara County Wine Improvement District is a district established by the County of Santa Barbara pursuant to California law to support regional wine industry promotion and related activities.

The Santa Barbara Vintners Association, a longstanding nonprofit trade organization, serves as the administrator of the district in accordance with the district’s management plan and subject to oversight by the County of Santa Barbara.

Assessments paid by wineries located within the district fund programs and services described in the district’s approved service plan, including regional marketing, public relations, and industry promotion.

Separately, the Santa Barbara Vintners Association maintains a voluntary membership program open to vineyards, businesses, and other supporters of the Santa Barbara County wine community.

Participation in the district assessment is governed by the County ordinance establishing the district and is distinct from voluntary membership in the Santa Barbara Vintners Association.

Santa Barbara Vintners Festival Weekend
Mission Santa Barbara (annual wine buyers trip)
Santa Barbara Wine Country Touring Guide
AVA maps
Website, social media pages, blog, and email communications
Hospitality, direct to consumer, and responsible alcohol server training
Educational seminars
Networking events, including monthly Themed Educational Tastings

The Santa Barbara Vintners’ mission is to celebrate, share and protect the richness of Santa Barbara County Wine.

Individual wineries make many contributions to the local community, through donations of product, personnel and monetary support. In addition, the Santa Barbara Vintners Foundation hosts special events where the proceeds directly benefit local nonprofit organizations including the Santa Barbara Wine Auction benefiting Direct Relief.

Staff

Alison Laslett / CEO

As the CEO of the Santa Barbara Vintners, Alison Laslett works to promote and protect the Santa Barbara Wine Region. The region boasts over a hundred wineries, more than 300 labels, and 70+ varieties of wine. Since joining the organization in 2017, the region has increased retail sales significantly, won the Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Award for Region of the Year in 2021, and Alison was named one of the Top Women in Business by the Pacific Coast Times. In 2025, with the formation of the Wine Preserve, Santa Barbara County became the largest Wine Business Improvement District in the United States.

Alison advocates for the region both locally and state-wide, working with tourism and lobbying partners to advance the reputation and rights of the industry. New to wine when she joined the Vintners, Alison previously spent time in both established nonprofits and start-ups, working with significant funders, including Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation.

Now, she enjoys her newfound knowledge of wine, working with colleagues across the state to continue to help the region thrive.

Philip Carpenter / General Manager

Phil Carpenter’s deep connection to Santa Barbara wine began during a pivotal 2008 trip to the Sta. Rita Hills, a place he instantly recognized as his new home. For over a decade, his enthusiasm translated into actively promoting the region through various channels, including writing for numerous websites, organizing insightful tastings, and moderating engaging wine panels, all while connecting winemakers with key industry figures. Even during a period living in the UK starting in 2013, his dedication remained steadfast, championing Santa Barbara wines at London events and representing the region at ProWein in Düsseldorf, alongside achieving his WSET Levels Two and Three. The opportunity to join the Santa Barbara Vintners as Director of Membership in 2018 realized a long-held aspiration, allowing him to fully dedicate his passion and expertise to serving the local wine community and its visitors.

Board Meeting Information / Agendas / Minutes

Board meetings typically take place the third Tuesday of every month at 10am, except August when there is no meeting. Exceptions are occasionally made and meetings are subject to rescheduling. Please check here for upcoming meetings and amendments.

Agendas are posted 72 hours prior to the meeting on this website as well as physically at the Santa Ynez Valley Grange #644, 2374 Alamo Pintado Ave, Los Olivos, CA 93441.

All meetings are open to the public and public comment is available for items both on the agenda and off. Three minutes is allotted per person.

Upcoming Board Meetings:

April 21st, 2026 10am @ Rusack

2026

February Meeting Agenda

January Meeting Minutes

January Meeting Agenda

2025

December Meeting Minutes

December Meeting Agenda

November Meeting Minutes

November Meeting Agenda