Comment from Higgins, Mark (Three Creek Vineyard)

I write you today in support of the Petition to Establish Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara American Viticultural Area. My name is Mark Higgins, and I am a part-owner of the Three Creek Vineyard and Winery, located at 1777 Fletcher Road. Ours is a family-owned and operated vineyard and winery located in Happy Canyon, now in our fourth year of production. We grow on 25 acres of family property, and remain dedicated to producing wines we enjoy. From the beginning, it was clear that we were growing great grapes, but over the past four years the very unique advantages of growing in Happy Canyon have become obvious. Varietals grown in our own and neighbors vineyards are consistently producing world-class wines, as evidenced by tasters and the market alike. These are great wines, and are doing excellent business. However, it is clear from even a quick visit to Santa Ynez that an AVA designation including the entire Santa Ynez Valley is meaningless to consumers trying to find the wines we produce. The Santa Ynez Valley varies greatly in both climate and geology, and a consumer purchasing "Santa Ynez Valley" wine will have no idea what to expect. This means consumers will be confused and disappointed, and will not buy a Santa Ynez bottle again. Which means far less business than we and others deserve. The solution is clear: to break off meaningful AVAs from this large region. I recommend you start immediately with an AVA that is already producing superb, well-selling wines: Happy Canyon. This will do a great service to us, as winemakers, the consumers that drink our wine, and of course the local economy that benefits from our activity. Thanks for all you are doing to make this possible. Best Regards, Mark Higgins