BARBERA FESTIVAL UPDATE, AUGUST 26, 2021

Dear Friends,

As you are likely well aware, the Caldor Fire in El Dorado County continues to burn at an alarming rate, having ravaged more than 136,000 acres and displacing more than 20,000 El Dorado County residents. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of those impacted by the fire and to those potentially in harm’s way.

Thankfully, fire crews have been able to prevent the fire from spreading into Amador County, but smoke continues to impact the entire region and thousands of Amador County residents remain under an Evacuation Warning.

At the same time, COVID infection rates continue to rise across California and the nation. The potency of Delta and other variants create new challenges for our hospitals and front-line medical workers and threaten the health of those who are vaccinated and especially those who are not.

Just one of these two dynamics would create challenges for any large-scale event, but the two combined result in an unprecedented situation. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, we regret to inform you that the 2021 Barbera Festival scheduled for Saturday September 11, 2021 has been cancelled.

The decision to cancel the event for a second year in a row was not easy and came with much debate and discussion but, in the end, we feel it is the most prudent and respectful path forward.

Guests who have already purchased tickets to the Barbera Festival will be fully refunded over the course of the next several days.

Please reach out to us if you have any questions.

In the meantime, we hope you will consider supporting local agencies that are providing shelter and much needed resources to those impacted by the Caldor Fire.

The El Dorado Community Foundation has established the Caldor Fire Fund that will be disbursed to victims of the blaze. All donations to the fund go directly to those impacted by the fire. Donations can be made to the fund by clicking HERE.

The Red Cross of Northern California is currently operating multiple evacuation shelters and providing immediate services to those in need. You can donate to the Red Cross by clicking HERE.

We hope to see you back at the festival in 2022! Or, please consider joining us at the Big Crush Harvest Festival October 1-3 in Amador Wine Country. We truly hope that conditions will be much more favorable in October. For more information and to purchase tickets, please click HERE.

Thank you for your support of the Barbera Festival and the Amador Vintners Association!