Harvard’s Vineyard Sale and Water Crisis

Harvard’s $5 million vineyard sale in California’s drought-stricken Cuyama Valley reveals a botched agricultural gamble: a once-mighty 840-acre grape operation, planted on a 7,600-acre ranch bought in 2014, now lies abandoned as workers were abruptly let go. Facing crippling water restrictions and legal hurdles, the Harvard-backed Brodiaea Inc. project collapsed — even drawing skepticism from faculty over sustainability. The property, now valued at $38 million, is being snapped up by a Texas westernwear mogul and a local wine enthusiast, amid a broader wine industry slump and looming groundwater cuts. The future of this massive ranch — and its dwindling water resources — hangs in the balance. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/fd435fe6fc278b65