Compared to California’s $1.58 billion wine industry, the more than 40 small wineries that call Oklahoma home seem quaint. But, wineries in both states can agree, farming is difficult, no matter what you’re growing or where. The latest installment of Independent Lens explores what it takes to go from vine to wine.
Independent Lens: Harvest Season airs at 9 p.m., Monday, May 13 on the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA).
Harvest Season explores the lives of the temporary laborers, permanent residents and multigenerational Latinos intimately connected to the production of premium wines in the Napa and Sonoma regions of Northern California.
In the midst of one of the most dramatic grape harvests in recent memory, the film follows the stories of three subjects essential to the wine industry, yet rarely recognized for their contributions. Veteran winemaker Gustavo Brambila, Mexican migrant worker René Reyes and wine entrepreneur Vanessa Robledo. Their stories unfold against the complex backdrop of California’s Wine Country ― a region of immense wealth.
OETA provides essential educational content and services that inform, inspire and connect Oklahomans to ideas and information that enrich our quality of life. We do this by consistently engaging Oklahomans with educational and public television programming, providing educational training and curriculum, outreach initiatives and online features that collectively encourage lifelong learning. For more information about education curriculum and programs, local productions, digital television, community resources and show schedules explore OETA.tv or visit us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.