By Jim Arnold
All good things come to those who wait
Grapevine News
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What a difference a year makes! Tehachapi wine growers faced some unbelievable challenges in the COVID shutdown of 2020-21. The Dorner Family Vineyard opened during the shutdown after seven years of anticipation. Tehachapi Winery opened their tasting room in September 2020. Triassic moved sales outside with a drive-thru system. There were no events or musical performances and quite frankly the mood was somber across all the vineyards. We all just waited and responded to the ever-changing health requirements.
Rebound
As spring arrived, the warm sun began to awaken the dormant vines and the economy began to re-open. Health restrictions relaxed and visitors returned – with a vengeance! It seems people were dying to get out again and the pent-up demand for normalcy was rampant.
Across the board, Tehachapi's vineyards are seeing unprecedented traffic.
Wine sales are up and, in some cases, doubled over the shutdown numbers. Private parties and weddings have returned, and venues are booked months in advance.
Tehachapi Winery has seen a 60 percent increase in sales at the tasting room.
Tehachapi Wine and Cattle Company sold out the July 31 concert and tickets are going fast for their August 28 concert.
Triassic's Summer Concert Series has been very popular with 50 to 100 people in attendance. Each of the Wine n' Dine dinners are well attended.
Stray Leaves plans to open their in-town tasting room this fall.
People are coming from all over the state as the word is out about Tehachapi Mountains AVA. All in all, things are looking great here in Tehachapi. Let the good times roll!
Jim Arnold is president of the Tehachapi Wine Growers Commission and owner of Triassic Vineyards.
