Wine Harvest Weathers Drought in Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara County winemakers are not as worried about the drought dry conditions in the state despite red flags throughout the agricultural community.

At the Celebration of Harvest event Saturday in Solvang, growers said the biggest surprise was the early harvest. Many were picking in August. Some finished earlier this year, than the time when they would begin in other years.

Veteran wine producer Doug Margerum said “the vines are not hurting. The yields have been good, and the quality has been good. So the drought that has hurt us residentialy or in (other) farming but it has not hurt us in wine at all. we do need rain, but it hasn’t hurt us yet.”

The festival featured more than 100 winemakers, who were partnered with local restaurants throughout the lawn in front of the landmark Mission Santa Ines.

Frank Ostini and Gray Hartley of Hitching Post wines and The Hitching Post Restaurant were particularly beaming with a long line for their beef sliders, and premium wines featured in the movie “Sideways.” The wine country film has celebrated its tenth anniversary and many events have been held in Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez in recent months including one a week ago at the Arlington Theater.

The festival also had many new winemakers or first timers, who are breaking into the field that has gained a worldwide reputation for its quality and honored creations from the variety of appellations now carved into the valley geography.

Even with the early harvest, there are still grapes hanging on, for one of the latest, late-harvest picks taking place in the coming weeks.

For more information contact :http://www.sbcountywines.com/