Between 1990 and 2014, the amount of land used for growing wine grapes in the Paso Robles region increased nearly fivefold to 37,408 acres, as winemakers realized that the area's unique topography, soil, and climate were ideal for producing flavorful red wines. Wines from Paso Robles have gained international recognition, competing with more well-known regions like Napa and Sonoma. In 2010, a red blend from Saxum Vineyards in Paso Robles was named the "wine of the year" by Wine Spectator magazine. However, the recent drought in California has had a severe impact on the region, leading to lower grape yields and the depletion of the aquifer that many vineyards and residents rely on for water. Wells in the area are running dry, affecting both residential and agricultural water supplies. Some large wineries and growers in Paso Robles have been drilling deeper wells, causing tensions and raising concerns about the sustainability of the wine industry in the area. Unlike other states, California's rules allow property owners to freely extract groundwater, leading to issues of overuse. One resident, Cam Berlogar, expressed frustration about the situation, noting that water is being depleted rapidly. Richard Sauret, known for his water conservation practices in his Paso Robles vineyard, expressed concern about relying on the aquifer for irrigation despite using very little water. The moratorium on new water-dependent projects in San Luis Obispo County, implemented in response to the crisis in 2013, did not prevent existing projects like Sauret's from expanding. Sauret believes that the high demand for water is causing issues for farmers, who will soon have to adapt to using less water. Change is on the horizon as California Governor Jerry Brown signed bills last year that mandate groundwater-dependent areas to create water sustainability agencies by 2017. These agencies will have several years to develop and implement water management plans. Some residents in Paso Robles are concerned about the potential effects of aquifer depletion. A report for San Luis Obispo County projected that, even without any additional growth, the water drawn from the basin could exceed the amount going in by 1.8 billion gallons annually between 2012 and 2040. Hilary Graves, a fourth-generation farmer and winemaker, expressed worry that if the issue is not managed within the next 10 years, it could become irreversible. She hopes to avoid having to follow her family's history of starting over after losing everything during the Dust Bowl. A water fight is brewing among residents in Paso Robles, California as they disagree on how to address the crisis. County supervisors have voted 3-to-2 to create a new water district with an elected nine-member board, but concerns have been raised about well-funded newcomers influencing board members to benefit larger players at the expense of local landowners. Susan Harvey, president of North County Watch, has criticized the proposed district's model as "we pay, they pump." The community is worried about wealthy newcomers with political connections, such as Harvard University and the Resnick family, who have made significant investments in land in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. The Resnicks purchased Justin Vineyards & Winery in 2010, and the company is now transitioning to more water-efficient farming practices. Fifth-generation farmer Cindy Steinbeck is part of a group called Protect Our Water Rights (POWR) and is wary of a new water agency in the region. Her organization is encouraging property owners to participate in a quiet title action in order to protect their water rights, and prefers the courts to oversee any water management plan for the basin. Steinbeck stated that their goal is to prevent small family farmers from being displaced in Paso Robles, as they are facing off against larger entities. This region will serve as a crucial example for other groundwater basins under stress, according to Jay Famiglietti, a senior water scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The Paso Robles Agricultural Alliance for Groundwater Solutions (PRAAGS) has been instrumental in driving this initiative, with board members including representatives from J Lohr Vineyards & Wines and individuals with ties to Harvard's property interests in the area. Additional supporters from different districts are Justin Vineyards and County Supervisor Frank Mecham, who supported the creation of the new agency. Mecham acknowledges the concerns of residents but also recognizes the importance of water management. He shared that his great-great-grandfather lost his cattle ranch due to a drought in the area, emphasizing the necessity of managing water resources. Mecham stated, "You will be managed one way or another. You’ve got to pick your poison," highlighting the inevitability of water management decisions. Richard Sauret strolls through his vineyard in Paso Robles, California on April 20, 2015, where he mentioned that he uses minimal water for irrigation. He also showcases the irrigation system he uses in his vineyard that requires very little water. This information was reported by Reuters.