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New restaurant group sees wineries as threat Friday Dec 9, 2016 at 4:45 PM Dec 9, 2016 at 5:09 PM Damian Mann Mail Tribune @reporterdm A new restaurant alliance has formed because its founders see wineries that serve food as a growing threat. Chrissy Barnett Donovan, owner of Peerless in Ashland, said the idea for the Jackson County Restaurant Alliance came about after Belle Fiore created a restaurant.  "We were the ones who filed the complaint against Belle Fiore," Barnett Donovan said. But after the core group got together, members realized there were other issues that challenged the viability of restaurants in the valley. One of the big issues is wage disparity between kitchen workers and those who work in the front, who receive tips. The increasing minimum wage and the potential for more restrictive scheduling requirements for workers are also of concern, as is attracting and retaining workers to the industry. The alliance, which held its inaugural meeting Nov. 30, has 25 members from restaurants in Ashland, Medford and Jacksonville, including popular places such as Mix Sweet Shop, Lark's, Porter's, Standing Stone and Jasper's Cafe, among others. Elected board officers for 2017 include President Barnett Donovan, Vice President Tim Self of Callahan's Lodge and Restaurant, and Treasurer/Secretary Tom DeBois of Louie's Bar & Grill in Ashland. The main purpose of the alliance is to protect the investments of all 850 restaurants in Jackson County. Other activities the alliance will be involved with include a political action committee and a scholarship and youth activity committee to deal with a shortage of restaurant staff. In August, a Jackson County hearings officer found Belle Fiore Winery owner Edward Kerwin in violation of two county ordinances for operating a restaurant without approval and for violating the prepacked foods provisions in his 2010 permit. Kerwin was fined $1,200. Barnett Donovan said her group is closely following Belle Fiore's appeal, but she said that once it is resolved she thinks it will send a message to other wineries that have restaurant operations. Barnett Donovan said Belle Fiore had a great idea trying to open a restaurant, but she said it is in violation of Oregon's land-use laws for properties zoned farmland. According to Senate Bill 841, wineries "may not utilize menu options or meal services that cause the kitchen facilities to function as a cafe or other dining establishment open to the public." Wineries can have kitchens but must follow limits on the number of events that can be scheduled in a year. She said Belle Fiore could seek a legislative change to the land-use laws, though she said her alliance would oppose that effort. A representative from Belle Fiore could not be reached for comment Friday. The alliance plans to hold meetings throughout the year to discuss topics affecting restaurants. The next is set for 10 a.m. Jan. 24 at Inn at the Commons in Medford. All restaurants in the county are invited. "It's an opportunity for us restaurateurs to sit in a room together to talk about the challenges for our business," she said. Barnett Donovan said restaurants have to meet a much higher inspection standard and follow other rules and regulations that wineries don't have to follow. She said another winery that serves pizza is Dancin Vineyards in Jacksonville. Dan Marca, owner of Dancin Vineyards, said, "We went through a lengthy permitting process and we're in strict conformance with our approval." Marca, who received his permit from Jackson County, said food sales are not a big part of the business. The winery offers various appetizers as well as three pizzas. "It's all about the wine for us and having foods available," he said. — Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on www.twitter.com/reporterdm.