Winemakers Sue Santa Barbara County over Trade Association

Flying Goat Cellars files federal lawsuit challenging Santa Barbara County wine BID

Flying Goat Cellars has filed a federal lawsuit challenging Santa Barbara County’s controversial Wine Business Improvement District, arguing the county cannot force wineries to fund and join a private trade organization against their will.

Winemakers sue Santa Barbara County over trade association

Editor's note: This story has been updated.

Flying Goat Cellars Sues Santa Barbara Over Unconstitutional Mandate

May 26, 2026 — It’s a bedrock constitutional principle: the government can’t compel a private business to fund speech it disagrees with—but that’s exactly what’s happened to Flying Goat Cellars, a [...]