Stolpman Vineyards - Los Olivos Tasting Room

Night Shifts Can Protect Farmworkers from Blistering Heat, but They Bring Risks | Eater

"Located in Ballard Canyon, this vineyard has run its three-month harvest (mid‑August to mid‑November) entirely overnight for more than 20 years to preserve fruit quality — nighttime temperatures can drop as much as 40 degrees from daytime highs, cooling the grapes and improving the resulting wine. To make nocturnal picking work, the operation outfits trailers and tractors with fabricated light poles that illuminate four rows of vines and requires every crew member to wear a headlamp. The owner emphasizes steady, year‑round employment rather than purely seasonal labor; workers who can’t commit to night shifts typically sort grapes during the day. Staff say the overnight schedule is a welcome relief from extreme daytime heat and that night workers receive the same breaks and facilities as day crews, though the employer acknowledges scheduling conflicts (especially for women with childcare responsibilities) and lower productivity and fatigue can be ongoing challenges." - Amy Mayer