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Vineyards’ thirst pits growers against residents

Cindy Steinbeck, whose family has been in the area since the 1800s, checks the grapes at Steinbeck Vineyards and Winery in Paso Robles.

Cindy Steinbeck, whose family has been in the area since the 1800s, checks the grapes at Steinbeck Vineyards and Winery in Paso Robles.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

With little if any rainfall, the Paso Robles region must rely on an ancient aquifer for water. As the water table drops and wells go dry, residents seek to curb use by the area’s increasingly popular wineries.

Monitoring what's left

Billie Parks, 83, who lives in the Paso Robles area, uses her cane to bang on her water tank to monitor how much water is left; her well has run dry.   (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Wine in all directions

Signs at the corner of El Pomar Drive and South El Pomar Road near Templeton point to vineyards and wineries.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Family acreage

Rows of grapes are ready for harvest at the Steinbeck Vineyards and Winery.   (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Tapped out

Denise Smith, a retired teacher, has water trucked to her Paso Robles area home because her well has run dry.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Steinbeck land

Cindy Steinbeck, center, with her dad, Howie, left, and her son Ryan Newkirk, walk through the family land.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Water on the way

New water pipes are ready for installation for Justin Vineyards and Wines between Templeton and Paso Robles.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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