A family-owned winery is embroiled in a legal battle with the County of Ventura over zoning violations that could reshape its operations. Holguin Family Ventures, LLC, filed a complaint against the County of Ventura on July 24, 2024, challenging the county's decision to uphold multiple zoning violations related to their Old Creek Ranch Winery.
The case revolves around accusations that Holguin Family Ventures expanded their winery and wine-tasting area without obtaining the necessary conditional use permits (CUPs). The plaintiffs argue that they have been wrongfully accused of expanding beyond historical use areas and converting the ranch’s primary use from crop production to a wine-tasting and event venue. The Board also denied their request for zoning clearance for an unpermitted parking lot with electric vehicle charging stations. According to the complaint, "the trial court applied the wrong standard of review — the substantial evidence standard," and should have independently reviewed the extensive administrative record.
The Old Creek Ranch Winery spans approximately 800 acres, with Holguin Family Ventures owning about 329 acres. Historical records show that a zoning clearance issued in December 1981 permitted a temporary produce stand within an existing winery building. However, subsequent expansions allegedly occurred without proper permits. In 2015, Andrew Holguin acquired the property and began renovations, during which time several permits were issued for new structures on the property. Despite these permits, public complaints emerged in 2018 regarding unpermitted events and increased traffic and noise.
The plaintiffs argue that their operations fall within historical parameters established before stricter CUP requirements were enacted in 1985. They claim that previous owners had operated a wine-tasting area continuously since December 1981 under lawful conditions. However, county officials assert that any expansion or change in use requires compliance with current zoning laws. The Board found substantial evidence supporting claims that Holguin Family Ventures had expanded beyond permissible limits and changed the principal use of the property without obtaining necessary CUPs.
Holguin Family Ventures seeks judicial relief to overturn these decisions and clarify permissible uses of their property. They argue that they should be allowed to maintain operations as they existed historically or obtain clear guidelines for compliance without undergoing extensive permitting processes. The trial court upheld the Board's findings based on substantial evidence but denied permission for appellants to amend their complaint to add new causes of action for declaratory relief.
Representing Holguin Family Ventures are attorneys Matthew D. Hinks and Lara L. Leitner from Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP. The County of Ventura is represented by Tiffany N. North, Jeffrey E. Barnes, David Edsall Jr., from the office of County Counsel. The case is presided over by Judge Benjamin F. Coats in Ventura County Superior Court under Case ID No: B3828569.