Riverbench Vineyard & Winery modifies outdoor services to accommodate customers

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - As the pandemic continues some local wineries in Santa Maria are making modifications to their services at their own pace.

Managers at Riverbench Vineyard & Winery near Orcutt say they are surviving the pandemic largely through their outdoor services.

"We have been doing regular tastings up until the pandemic and when we reopened last summer we converted to table service so that we could maintain social distancing and provide a really nice experience for people who wanted to get out of their houses," said CEO Laura Booras at Riverbench Vineyard & Winery.

While many businesses throughout Santa Barbara County are expanding back indoors, especially since hitting the Yellow Tier, some wineries like Riverbench are still opting outdoors.

"We are doing just fine outside. It’s a nicer environments in this outside setting," said tasting room leader Brad Gustavson at Riverbench Vineyard & Winery.

Customers and servers say outdoor tastings are working so well, they are sharing in the fun.

Since their outdoor table service has been so successful, managers plan to stay the course for now.

"We’re gonna stick with the table service because staff prefers it and our customers prefer it. I think it’s a nicer experience for everyone all around," said Booras.

Riverbench says reservations are required for outdoor tastings.

If you plan to visit any vineyard managers here encourage everyone to call in first.