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Lodi News New Ailampo winery accused of violating the W41iamson Act: N... Pagel of 3 Acampo winery accused of violating the Williamson Act Share This Posted: Tuesday, July 13, 2010 6:00 am I Updated: 6:22 am, Tue Jul 13, 2010. By Ross Farrow News-Sentinel Staff Writer Does a popular Acampo winery violate California's Williamson Act, which has provided tax breaks to preserve agriculture since 1965? The San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation maintains that Viaggio Winery, nestled along the Mokelumne River west of Lower Sacramento Road, violates the Williamson Act by using the Viaggio property for non-agricultural uses. San Joaquin County officials disagree, saying that Viaggio doesn't violate state guidelines for the act, and Viaggio owner Kent Raverty says he's in compliance. And the California Department of Conservation, which oversees the Williamson Act on a statewide level, says the Viaggio case is under investigation. Responding to a complaint the Farm Bureau filed with the state, the Department of Conservation sent a letter to the county in December, ordering county officials to determine whether Viaggio Winery has committed a "material breach" of the Williamson Act. The Farm Bureau has publicly opposed the use of Viaggio's land. In addition to filing the complaint with the state, Farm Bureau representatives have testified before the county Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. And Farm Bureau President Phil Brumley wrote a letter that was published in The Record in Stockton earlier this year. "One of our most important programs in the county is the Williamson Act, plain and simple," Blodgett said. "We've got over 80 wineries (in the county) that do things the right way." Viaggio conducts events like wedding receptions that are non-agricultural events, which could affect the future of the Williamson Act, Blodgett said. "We respect individual property rights, but when impacting thousands of property owners within the county, these are types of things the (state) Department of Conservation has asked about." The Farm Bureau claims that part of the Viaggio property is being used for non-agricultural activities like wedding receptions, fundraisers and corporate functions. Viaggio says it seems to be something personal that Farm Bureau members have against him. "The Faun Bureau wants to beat us up, but not listen to a word we've got to say," Raverty said. http://www.lodinews.com/news/article_945e6a06-8ec0-5610-ba7b-1 fc0d8e8ac 1 a.html?mo... 7/14/2010