While the growth rate off premise was off the highs seen earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant shift was apparent as consumers opted for more expensive options. Similarly, Wines Vines Analytics/Sovos ShipCompliant reported that the value of DtC shipments in August was 29% higher than a year ago at $177.5 million. While shipments usually moderate in the summer, the ongoing strength of online orders from consumers new to the channel or those shifting their wine buying from tasting rooms and restaurants has kept more wine moving.

Ten different growers donated grapes. Now Simple Machine Winery will have a full 2020 harvest. Along with grapes, barrels, bottles, storage space and equipment were all donated.

The new system takes up five acres at the winery's Parlier, California facility, near Fresno and consists of 12 basins, or worm beds, each larger than an Olympic sized swimming pool. with 28,000 cubic feet of wood chips and shavings, 6,750 tons of crushed rock and 100 million worms. Each bed is filled with drainage cells, crushed rock, geotextiles, and topped off with a layer of wood chips and shavings. During start up, the beds were seeded with microbes and 22,000,000 California red worms (Eisenia fetida) and which will reproduce and exceed 200 million in population.

A spokesperson for Gallo said the company is "optimistic". "While most of our vineyards were not directly impacted, some locations experienced significant smoke exposure based on their close proximity to the fires and the prevailing winds. As a result we will have portions of vineyards which will not be harvested in 2020, and in some cases we may not bottle a 2020 vintage for select single-vineyard wines."

Rich and Leslie Frank already run their Frank Family Vineyards winery on Larkmead Lane near Calistoga. The proposed, new winery producing up to 475,000 gallons annually is to be on their 87-acre Benjamin ranch along Conn Creek Road near Highway 128.

The end of summer has a particular feel to it as the bountiful fresh produce ebbs. These 12 wines can make the seasonal transition.