From rockets to flowers, Lompoc has benefited from the bounty that surrounds it. Now grape vines have twisted their way toward the city, and some observers say Lompoc is ready to get culture - viticulture, that is.

A burgeoning wine industry has begun to tie itself in with Lompoc's influential agriculture sector, and some officials believe it could be a potential boon for the city in terms of jobs, sales tax and tourist dollars.

City Councilman DeWayne Holmdahl called it a culture shift - one that ties right in with the valley's agricultural history and vitality.

But is Lompoc ready for wine?

Holmdahl thinks so. The wine connoisseur hosts a weekly radio show that features county vintners and wine experts.

"I think there's the feeling that the rest of the county looks down on us," Holmdahl said. "We're out of the way, we're an agriculture community. Then we got our own power (the city owns its own utility service) and that was something to be proud of, and now we're getting wine."

There are six winery production facilities in the city of Lompoc. Sea Smoke Cellars, Brewer-Clifton, Palmina, Presidio Winery, Longoria and Stolpman all have facilities in the Sobhani Complex on Industrial Way. A long stretch from the boutique wineries of the Santa Ynez Valley with their ranch- or French chateaux-styles and fancy tasting rooms, the wineries at the Sobhani Complex are utilitarian warehouses meant for one thing - making good wine.

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Affectionately called the "wine ghetto," the six wineries at the Sobhani Complex have become a sort of commune with an atmosphere of camaraderie - a place where winemakers "can taste and share the fruits of their labor," according to one occupant.

Steve Clifton, owner and winemaker at Brewer-Clifton and Palmina wineries, fancied the wine ghetto for its functionality.

"We're not all about tasting rooms and fancy set up," he said. "We just needed a place to make our wine."

Several other wineries are located along the Highway 246 corridor, close to Lompoc. Most of their grapes are grown on the hills surrounding Lompoc.

One of this location's primary attractions for winemakers and grape growers is its suitability for growing excellent pinot noir and chardonnay.

For years now the Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley appellations have achieved recognition as premium grape-growing locations. But it's the county's third and newest appellation, Santa Rita Hills, that Lompoc hopes holds the most promise for reviving its image with tourists and possibly contributing dollars to the city's economy.

Santa Rita Hills is already gaining recognition as a world-class region for pinot noir and chardonnay. As its geographic identifier, Lompoc has nabbed a few mentions in the national press, as well. However, whether that will be enough to bring visitors to Lompoc is yet to be seen.

"I think it's been good for Lompoc," Doug Braun, winemaker and owner of Presidio Winery, said of the Santa Rita Hills appellation's success. "I think it will slowly change the complexion of Lompoc."

Previously thought to be too close to the ocean, and too windy, cold and moist, the Lompoc Valley has proven to have some pockets that are ideal for growing grapes.

With it's east-west facing mountain range - which differs from the direction of most - Santa Barbara County gets a variety of microclimates making the area suitable for growing an abundance of varietals. The direction of the mountain range differs from most and causes a funnel of cool air from the coast inland to Santa Ynez.

The Santa Rita Hills' proximity to the ocean, along with its slight elevation, puts the area in a microclimate that works exceptionally well for pinot noir and chardonnay grapes.

"It's the absolute perfect place to grow chardonnay and pinot noir because it has the longest growing season - nine months," Clifton said. "And it has a very moderate temperature."

Noting the contribution of the area's sandy and clay soils, winemakers have expressed excitement about the balance of acidity and great ripeness the area bestows on their grapes.

Growers didn't always know that, though.

Despite initial doubts about this area in winemaker circles, Doug Braun, owner of Presidio Winery, saw the potential. With about $60,000 to invest, he grabbed 100 acres, formerly a gun club, at the junction of Highway 246 and La Purisima Road about 10 years ago. After about $500,000 in clean up by the previous owners, Braun planted pinot noir and chardonnay on the hilly landscape and now produces premium wines.

Other winemakers are slowly following suit.

In the Lompoc area from Mail Road west, approximately 291 acres are planted in wine grapes, according to the Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner's office.

In the county as a whole, there are now more than 21,000 acres of vineyards. Wine grapes were the third most valuable crop in the county at more than $72 million in 2002.

July 13, 2003