Between 1990 and 2014, the harvested wine grape acreage in the Paso Robles growing region increased nearly fivefold to 37,408 acres, as vintners found that the area's unique characteristics were ideal for producing flavorful red wines. The wines from this region, situated between San Francisco and Los Angeles, have gained international recognition similar to 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, in recent years, the ongoing drought in California has severely impacted the region, leading to reduced grape yields and the depletion of the aquifer that many vineyards and residents depend on for water. As a result, wells across the region have run dry. Those who have the financial means, such as large wineries and growers, have been digging deeper wells which has caused tensions and raised concerns about the sustainability of Paso Robles' wine industry. Cam Berlogar, a resident of Creston, expressed his frustration by stating that all the water is being taken away for profit. Unlike other states, California's regulations allow property owners to drill wells and extract water without much oversight, leading to a race to the bottom for water resources. Berlogar has seen the water level in his own well drop significantly in recent years. Richard Sauret, known for his water conservation efforts, strolls through his Paso Robles vineyard, which he admits requires minimal irrigation. Despite a moratorium on new water-dependent projects in San Luis Obispo County, grape acreage has continued to grow, including Sauret's award-winning Zinfandel grapes. Sauret is concerned about depleting the aquifer he relies on for irrigation. Sauret expressed his concerns about the high demand for water, attributing it to the actions of vineyards and farmers. He mentioned that farmers will have to adjust to farming with less water due to the drought. Governor Jerry Brown responded to the drought by signing bills 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 Paso Robles residents are concerned about the possibility of aquifer depletion happening sooner rather than later. One report for San Luis Obispo County projected that, even without any additional growth, the water being drawn from the basin would 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 properly within the next decade, it may become irreversible. Graves, whose family roots trace back to migrant workers who came to California after the Dust Bowl, hopes to avoid having to return to Oklahoma and Arkansas like her ancestors. Residents are divided on how to address the water crisis, with county supervisors voting to create a new water district with elected board members. Concerns have been raised about the possibility of new, well-funded residents influencing elections and burdening local landowners with infrastructure costs. Susan Harvey, president of North County Watch, referred to the model as "we pay, they pump." The residents are 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 and a 740-acre ranch, while Harvard has bought thousands of acres. Some residents, like Cindy Steinbeck, are part of groups like Protect Our Water Rights and are skeptical about a new water agency in the region. Her organization is encouraging property owners to participate in a quiet title action to safeguard their water rights, and prefers to have the courts oversee any efforts to manage the water in the basin. Steinbeck, a member of the group, is determined to protect family farmers in Paso Robles from being displaced by larger entities. According to Jay Famiglietti, a senior water scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Paso Robles will serve as a model for other groundwater basins under stress, demonstrating the potential for new regional oversight. 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 investments in the area. Other advocates for the district include Justin Vineyards and County Supervisor Frank Mecham, who was in favor of creating the new agency. Mecham acknowledges the concerns of residents but also recognizes the importance of water management. He shares a personal story about his great-great-grandfather losing his ranch to a drought, emphasizing the necessity of making tough decisions. Mecham believes that whether we like it or not, we will have to be managed in some way, so we must choose the best option available. Richard Sauret strolls through his vineyard in Paso Robles, California on April 20, 2015, explaining that he utilizes a minimal amount of water for irrigation. He showcases the irrigation system that he uses in his vineyard. This information was captured by Reuters.