Buy more wine and beer, straight from the source.
That’s the number-one way to help Santa Barbara County wineries and breweries survive the COVID-19 outbreak. The social distancing measures ordered to contain the virus have closed winery and brewery tasting rooms up and down the state, eliminating both industries’ primary source of income, as in-person tastings lead to sales. A quick result was widespread layoffs across the sector, which at least allowed employees to sign up for unemployment payments.
In response, producers are unleashing a range of new ways to buy and experience wine and beer. Most have turned their tasting rooms into retail pick-up stores, many offering curbside pick-up as well, including Whitcraft and Margerum in downtown Santa Barbara.