YVWA Endorses Justin Beaver for Yucaipa's 4th District

The Yucaipa Valley Wine Alliance is proud to endorse candidate Justin Beaver for Yucaipa’s 4th District.

Since the start of campaign season, Justin has been the only candidate to come out and publicly support the development of a wine industry in the Yucaipa Valley. Not only has he publicly supported the Alliance’s vision, but he has also shared our petition to protect Yucaipa’s North Bench from development. Justin has already taken actual ACTION to support the Alliance during this campaign.

We believe Justin will continue working diligently to protect our agricultural resources as an elected City Council Member, and support a sustainable wine industry through sensible policy crafted with honest intentions. We support his candidacy, and we urge you to support him in his bid for Yucaipa City Council.

-The Yucaipa Valley Wine Alliance Board

Petition to Support Yucaipa Valley Wine Region Development & Stop Clustered Residential Development on Yucaipa’s North Bench

The Yucaipa Valley Wine Alliance urges you to sign and share our newest petition, which aims to crystallize our message as an organization and send a clear message to Yucaipa City Council.

The looming threat of clustered residential development is once again impacting our North Bench Region. Our community must come together, and say loud and clear that these are not actions that we support as Yucaipans.

If you do decide to speak at City Council and come to support the Yucaipa Valley Wine Alliance in public proceedings, we have designed the language in this petition to be used as a message that you can deliver to City Council in person.

Petition

I am here to support the Yucaipa Valley Wine Alliance and its efforts to create a sustainable wine industry here in the Yucaipa Valley.

1. I support preserving Yucaipa’s North Bench for viticultural and agricultural purposes

2. I strongly oppose clustered residential housing on the North Bench, as it will lead to:

   -A permanent loss of prime agricultural land

   -Increased traffic 

   -The loss of our rural character as a city

3. I urge this City Council to support an overlay district that paves the way for vineyards and boutique wineries, not residential housing.

Thank you for preserving the rural character of our City and supporting the development of a boutique wine industry in the Yucaipa Valley. Donate to the Yucaipa Valley Wine Alliance or become a member by clicking the links below.

Petition for a Business Development Plan in Yucaipa's Uptown District

The Yucaipa Valley Wine Alliance is calling for all members of the Yucaipa community to sign our petition for the City of Yucaipa to create and execute a cohesive business development plan in the Uptown District of Yucaipa.

Our community greatly desires amenities like sit down restaurants, bars, artisan shops and additional recreations that make the Uptown District a destination for locals and tourists alike. To say that business development efforts have been slow would be less honest than saying they are badly lacking, and action must be taken to address what has been and will continue to be an urgent community problem.

Without the development of a strong business community in the heart of the Yucaipa Valley, a developing wine industry may face additional obstacles in its ability to attract visitors to our region as a destination.

Therefore the YVWA has generated this petition which is intended to lay a clear path to accelerating business development efforts in the Uptown District of Yucaipa, and create metrics of accountability for those responsible for implementing this plan.

Resolution

+The City of Yucaipa will commit to bringing in 20 new quality businesses to the Uptown District by the end of 2020. Members of staff will have until the end of the year to present the community with a published plan, and then begin enacting this plan no later than January 15th.

+The City of Yucaipa will provide quarterly updates to the community and to the Uptown Association about their progress, taking into account metrics such as:

1.The number of new businesses contacted by City Staff about opening up locations in the Uptown, as well as accompanying documentation of said activities.

2. The number of site visits conducted to vacant spaces in the Uptown by potential business owners, as well as accompanying documents verifying these activities.

3. The number of verbal and written commitments for new businesses planning on opening in the Uptown, as well as documents of any written commitments.

4. The number of build-outs approved by City Staff, as well as any accompanying non-confidential documentation that verifies these metrics.

+The City of Yucaipa will direct staff to maintain and create additional contacts with the local commercial brokerage community, and offer incentives to the commercial brokers who close the most deals that assist with Uptown development. Incentives for the broker that brings in the most businesses in a one year period have been shown to be effective methods of business development utilized by city officials in places like Temecula. Additional consideration of financial incentives that could greatly reduce the cost of business development by City Staff should also be considered at a future City Council meeting at the conclusion of this petition.

Alternative RFP

+In the event that the City does not have adequate resources to create a development plan that includes progress metrics and incorporates commercial broker incentives by years end, they must issue an RFP (Request For Proposal) asking for business development assistance by February 29th, 2020 and outsource these integral business development efforts by no later than March 31st.

Consequences of Non-Action

+In the event that City Staff does not present a plan to the public by the aforementioned date to increase it’s own business development efforts and does not prioritize business development efforts in the Uptown District by not submitting an RFP by the aforementioned date, we are calling for City Council members to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions and find public stewards that are more capable of building this community to its full potential.

*By signing this petition you are agreeing to receive emails from the Yucaipa Valley Wine Alliance. You may opt-out at any time.

SHARE THE PETITION BY CLICKING THE SHARE BUTTON BELOW OR SENDING THE URL TO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY!

Yucaipa Valley AVA Petition Accepted as Perfected by TTB on June 21st

The Yucaipa Valley Wine Alliance hosted its first Summer Gala on July 20th at the Yucaipa Performing Arts Center. Through a combination of ticket sales, live auction, and silent auction items, the YVWA was able to raise over $30,000 to help with our efforts to create a thriving wine industry in the Yucaipa Valley!

But the biggest announcement came from Craig Suveg during his keynote speech at the Gala. The Yucaipa Valley AVA Petition, after months or arduous work and revisions, has been accepted as perfected by the TTB. Immediately after announcing the momentous news, Craig received a standing ovation from the near 160 people in attendance at the Gala.

The Yucaipa Valley AVA Petition will now go to the rulemaking process of the TTB, and in the next 18-24 months it will be published in the federal register, and the Yucaipa Valley can begin submitting for label approval for “Yucaipa Valley” made wine.

The significance of an AVA for the Yucaipa Valley cannot be overstated. As of now, up to 15 percent Yucaipa grown grape is permitted to be incorporated into a bottle of commercially sold wine. A Yucaipa Valley AVA would allow up to 100% Yucaipa grown grape in commercially sold wine, and act as the foundation for future investment into a boutique wine industry.

Craig Suveg also announced the pledge to have 100 acres under vine by this time next year in the Yucaipa Valley, and discussed the overall trajectory of where Yucaipa is heading. “Our pledge to vinify the valley with another 100 acres by July 2020 is certainly attainable and critical. However, the most important concept to embrace is that we usher in the dawn of a new era in the Yucaipa Valley. An era in which our children have a reason to stay; because there is opportunity. An era in which an industry can be passed down from one generation to another with pride; enriching our community with artisan craftsmanship and permanent jobs. An era where art, science and culture are elevated to a higher level of consciousness never before witnessed in the Valley. 17 years ago, I realized the potential of the Yucaipa Valley. Tonight, we realize that this journey is the right thing to do for Yucaipa.”

If you would like to get involved with these efforts, please reach out to us if you have acreage or know anyone who may be interested in planting grapes. You can reach us at yucaipawinealliance@gmail.com.

Additionally, you can support our cause by donating to the Yucaipa Valley Wine Alliance, or becoming a member who supports our cause. Choose either by clicking the links below!

Yucaipa Valley Wine Alliance and City of Yucaipa Sign Historic Partnership

This last Sunday, June 16th, the Yucaipa Valley Wine Alliance and the City of Yucaipa signed a historic partnership, solidifying the City’s support for the growth of a Yucaipa Valley Wine Industry.

This signing comes just weeks after the official, and final resubmission of the Yucaipa Valley AVA Petition to the Alcohol and Tobacco Trade Bureau. The document, co-authored by YVWA President Craig Suveg, YVWA Director Devin Cohen, and Geo-technical engineer John Leuer, will function as the foundation for the Yucaipa Valley Wine Industry, allowing vintners to use Yucaipa grown grape in the commercial production of wine.

President Craig Suveg, Mayor of Yucaipa Bobby Duncan, and Councilwoman Denise Allen were all present for the signing at Suveg Cellars California Street Tasting Room this last Sunday.

“People have asked Devin and I why we’re doing this,” stated YVWA President Craig Suveg. “They asked us why we are bringing a wine industry to the Yucaipa Valley. And the answer to us was simple: it’s the right thing to do.”

Mayor Bobby Duncan echoed Suveg’s sentiments. “An AVA is the greatest economic opportunity the City of Yucaipa has ever had. If we can make this happen through a partnership with the City and the Yucaipa (Valley) Wine Alliance, it will be bigger than we can put into words here today.'“

Councilwoman Allen also stated her support for the partnership and the growth of a wine industry in the Yucaipa Valley. “Vineyards are the right way to maintain the agricultural heritage of the Yucaipa Valley, and keep the agricultural focus that has been part of the Yucaipa Valley forever.”

The signed partnership will be the beginning of a cooperative relationship between the YVWA and the City of Yucaipa to support awareness around the wine industry, co-sponsor wine industry and community events, and create initiatives and policies to accelerate viticulture in the Yucaipa Valley over the coming years.

One such cooperative event is an extension of Friday Night events in Uptown Yucaipa. The California Nights series will begin Friday July 12th, where the Yucaipa Valley Wine Alliance will bring in live jazz and high quality vendors to California Street for the coming 6 Friday nights.

The YVWA and City of Yucaipa will also co-sponsor a speaker’s series in November that brings in industry professionals to discuss the development of the Yucaipa Valley as a wine region.

Additionally, the City will co-sponsor and co-market the YVWA Summer Gala, a live auction fundraiser and the first major event held inside the City of Yucaipa’s brand new Performing Arts Center. All funds raised will go toward the development of a Yucaipa Valley Wine Industry, supporting educational partnerships, business and economic development efforts, and new services provided by the YVWA. To attend the Summer Gala and join the movement to build a wine industry in the Yucaipa Valley, reserve your tickets by clicking the link below.

P.S. WE WILL BE ANNOUNCING AN IMPORTANT CAMPAIGN AT THE SUMMER GALA, AND TO FIND OUT WHAT IT IS YOU NEED TO BE THERE!

Capstone Project Yields Favorable Results for Yucaipa Valley Wine Industry

The Yucaipa Valley Wine Alliance has received the results of a 3-week long, non biased, independent study funded by the University of Redlands Capstone Program, assessing the viability of a wine industry in the Yucaipa Valley. After rigorous research by the 4 MBA students creating the study, the YVWA was presented favorite results.

“The Yucaipa Valley truly does have an opportunity to welcome and support a growing wine industry, culture, and economy,” concludes the study. “The special and unique properties of the region, if properly and sustainably harnessed by local vintners, can produce high quality grapes and wines that can compete at the highest levels. Large, multi-million dollar revenues, new direct and indirect jobs, and increasing economic value of the regions’ land and grapes all point to overall positive impacts for the local municipal, county, and state governments, the local residents, and to wine lovers everywhere.”

The Capstone Project studied a variety of topics, ranging from the viability of grape growing in the region, economic impact of a wine industry of various sizes, zoning, traffic, retail, parking, sustainability and much more. The project was created not only to showcase the economic benefits of a wine industry in the Yucaipa Valley, but also to act as a roadmap for local government officials to implement policies to encourage the growth of our nascent industry.

The full study is available by clicking the link below. We encourage all members and non members alike to share this study with those interested in becoming involved in the growth of our industry.

Special thanks to Lynnae Terpstra, Doug Turner, Victoria Fuentes, and Nicole Viramontes for putting this study together, which has already made a huge difference to the efforts of the Yucaipa Valley Wine Alliance.

Yucaipa Valley AVA Submitted to TTB on November 15th, 2018

On November 15th, the Yucaipa Valley Wine Alliance filed a petition with the Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) to create the Yucaipa Valley AVA.

An AVA, or “American Viticultural Area,” is a designation granted by the United States Federal Government that permits the commercial production of wine from grapes grown within the designated area. The submission of an AVA petition is the first crucial step toward creating a sustainable wine economy in the Yucaipa Yalley, an economy that will most likely completely transform Yucaipa and the area within the AVA’s designated boundaries.

This past July, the Yucaipa City Council granted the Yucaipa Valley Wine Alliance (YVWA) $3,035 in order to allow the Alliance to commence work on drafting the AVA petition. Though the process was estimated to take 6-12 months to complete, the YVWA completed the petition and submitted it for review within 4 months.

The AVA petition, co-authored by Craig Suveg, Devin Cohen, and John Leuer, details the history of the Yucaipa Valley and the unique attributes that make the region perfect for viticulture. Exhaustive research has revealed a unique combination of high elevation, significant diurnal temperature shifts and soil composition promising the Yucaipa Valley with the potential to grow high quality grapes that can produce complex, long lasting wines. The proposed Yucaipa Valley AVA includes the cities of Yucaipa, Calimesa, Oak Glen, and surrounding county areas on several sides.

Now that the AVA petition is submitted, the Yucaipa Valley Wine Alliance will work closely with the TTB over the coming 12-20 months to have the petition approved. Though approval is likely within a year and a half, vinification of land has already begun to accelerate. The Yucaipa Valley Wine Alliance reports that 14 known vineyards have already been planted in the Yucaipa Valley, and that over 2,000 plantings are scheduled to be implemented by the YVWA Viticultural Program, supervised by Director Preston Todd, in the spring of 2019 alone.

This has been a monumental undertaking, and now that a wine country is on its way to Yucaipa there is more work to do than ever. If you’d like to support the efforts of the Yucaipa Valley Wine Alliance to create a wine industry in our valley, you can make a tax deductible donation or join as a Wine Alliance Member below!

Yucaipa City Council Awards YVWA Over $5,000 to Pursue an AVA Designation

The Yucaipa Valley Wine Alliance is proud to announce that we have been granted over $5,000 by the Yucaipa City Council to pursue an AVA designation for the region of Yucaipa.

The process began on June 25th, when Craig spoke on behalf of the Yucaipa Valley Wine Alliance to City Council to request $8,000, a portion of the annual Community Activity Grant. The Community Activity Grant is a city grant available to local non-profits who are holding events and pursuing goals that are beneficial to the community.

The subject was hotly contested amongst the present City Council members, with Denise Allen and Bobby Duncan voting in favor of approving the YVWA with $3,035 to contribute to the establishment of an AVA. Council members David Avila and Dick Riddell did not approve the funds, and because Mayor Greg Bogh was absent for this week's City Council meeting, the vote was delayed until the upcoming meeting on July 9th.

Two weeks later, Craig spoke again to City Council, as well as a supportive crowd that gathered cheers from the audience at the conclusion of his speech. As City Council began to debate the merits of a wine industry in Yucaipa, Denise Allen and Bobby Duncan gave impassioned speeches about the benefits of a wine country in the Yucaipa Valley, gathering large cheers from the crowd. Though Dick Riddell maintained his view that we were not properly before the board, David Avila publicly gave support to the Wine Alliance, though he preferred that we search for alternative funds to create the AVA and not use the Community Activity Grant.

Greg Bogh became the deciding vote on City Council, and opened up his remarks to the audience with "This could be a game changer." Mayor Bogh, clearly seeing the vision put forth by Craig and the Wine Alliance, awarded us the $3,035 and an additional $2,000 in in-kind help from the City to help further offset the costs of fundraising for an AVA.

This is the most significant step the YVWA has made toward establishing a viticultural area in the Yucaipa Valley. We have raised over $5,000 in funds and now received the public support of 4 Council Members to create a wine region in Yucaipa. With these seed funds, we'll begin the process for applying for the AVA, which Vice President Preston Todd, Board Member John Leuer, and President Craig Suveg have tentatively named the Yucaipa Valley District AVA. 

Though this is a significant step forward in the creation of an AVA, we still have lots more work to do. The application process is lengthy and will cost close to $20,000 when all is said and done. You can get involved by becoming a member, or making a contribution to the Wine Alliance to help establish an AVA, enriching the Yucaipa area and transforming the region forever.