Coronavirus Impact: Santa Clara County wine region concerned about economic impact if bars, wineries stay closed

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) -- The State of California is recommending some adjustments to the phases of reopening that could cause further impact to the wine region in the South Bay and business owners want their local leaders to help them out.

Currently, bars and wineries are considered under the same phase of reopening and it may cause local wineries to stay closed for longer than they believe is right.

COVID-19 RISK CALCULATOR: Quiz yourself on the safest, most dangerous things you can do as CA reopens

The South Bay has some of the oldest and best wineries in the state, including Guglielmo Winery in Morgan Hill.

"My grandparents founded it and bought the original ranch house in 1925," Guglielmo Winery General Manager Gene Guglielmo said. "Everything comes from the grapes, so we have the environment to grow world-class grapes and turn them into wine."

But for the first time in 95 years, their grounds have been empty due to the shelter-in-place orders, something the Guglielmo family has never seen.

They fear changes may change the landscape of their industry.

"We're a relational business, so it's going to be really difficult to see how we're going to be able to keep that relationship going as far as tasting and reopening while staying safe," Guglielmo Winery Tasting Room manager Gena Guglielmo said.

RELATED: What will Bay Area wineries look like after coronavirus? 'Very different,' industry expert says

A way they will be safe is through the state and county guidelines that wineries must follow.

These include changing wine glasses after each taste, social distancing tasting tables, moving tasting rooms outside and more.

"We just want to provide and create a place where it still feels like it did before all of this had happened," Guglielmo Winery customer relations and offsite sales manager Angelia Guglielmo said. "We want to provide a safe environment for people, who might still be a little weary about being going out in public and being around people, and want to go out, want to support the community and support those local businesses."

Guglielmo Winery has already started to put in the work to make their outdoor tasting room COVID-19 friendly.

But after recent recommendations from Governor Gavin Newsom, reopening may not be as soon as they once thought.

State officials asked eight counties Sunday to issue health orders that would keep Santa Clara County bars and wineries closed due to rising coronavirus cases.

Wineries of Santa Clara Valley Association President Geoff Mace says this could lead to further economic impact to the South Bay wine region.

"As other counties are opening up, people are leaving and taking their dollars elsewhere and to the neighboring counties," Mace said. "I think it's important to make the distinction between an indoor bar where you have a lot of folks gathering, listening to music, talking loudly, compared to a very quiet and relaxed wine tasting. It's just not the same. So, we're hoping our county officials will hear that and recognize that."

Mace says all wineries in the association plan on following county guidelines to ensure the safest return to tasting when that time comes.

Santa Clara County Public Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody previewed her plans earlier this week for the next phase of reopening that will come in the beginning of July.

If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.

Get the latest news, information and videos about the novel coronavirus pandemic here

RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:

• COVID-19 Help: Comprehensive list of resources, information
• When will the San Francisco Bay Area reopen? Track progress on 6 key metrics to reopening here
• Life after COVID-19: Here's what restaurants, gyms will look like
• Live updates about coronavirus outbreak in US, around the world
• INTERACTIVE TIMELINE: How close was CA to becoming a NY-level crisis?
• What will it take to get a COVID-19 vaccine and how will it be made?
• How California's COVID-19 cases stack up against other hot spot states
• Everything you need to know about the Bay Area's shelter-in-place order
• Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area/
• List: Where can I get tested for COVID-19 in the Bay Area?
• COVID-19 Diaries: Personal stories of Bay Area residents during novel coronavirus pandemic
• Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic
• What does COVID-19 do to your body and why does it spread so easily?
• WATCH: 'Race & Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation' virtual town hall about COVID-19 impact on Asian American community
• WATCH: 'Race & Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation' virtual town hall about COVID-19 impact on African American community
• WATCH: 'Race & Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation' virtual town hall about COVID-19 impact on Latino community
• Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
• Symptoms, prevention, and how to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak in the US
• List of stores, companies closing due to coronavirus pandemic
• No masks but here are 100+ products that may help protect you against novel coronavirus germs
• Here's a look at some of history's worst pandemics that have killed millions