At @TablasCreek our tasting room is open all day today for the first time in more than a week (since Thursday, August 13th). A quick thread on why wine lovers should expect this uncertainty to be the norm, rather than the exception, for the next few months and maybe longer. 1/

First, and most importantly, COVID. All wineries in California are restricted to outdoor service only (I agree that this is by far the safest way to open). But we’ve already had a few instances locally of positive COVID cases at wineries, who have had to close for stretches. 2/

Being restricted to outside service means that being open is dependent on good weather. We got lucky for most of the summer that it was moderate. We installed extra shade, fans, and misters. But wine country gets hot, and in our recent heat wave we closed at noon each day. 3/

We can lower the temperature ~10 degrees with our various measures. We’re typically a little cooler than downtown or areas further east. And we do usually get a late afternoon breeze. But still, if it’s over 100, it’s not safe for our team or pleasant for guests. So, we close. 4/

Our average in Paso is a dozen 100+ days each summer. So expect at least a few more heat-related closures before fall. And now, we’ve got big fires throughout California, producing copious smoke. A few days ago we had the worst air quality in the world. https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article245109120.html 5/