Local wineries switch to curbside and carryout nearing the holidays

Two EE's and Country Heritage wineries move to pickup options temporarily to minimize person-to-person contact for COVID-19 precautions.

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If you're thinking about wining and dining for the holidays, you might consider a pickup order this year... depending on what winery you go too.fox 55's mallory beard tells us how some local wineries are changing from dine-in to curbside and carryout models to help keep customers protected from covid-19.

Ashlee baumgartner//country heritage operations manager "it's definitely not been the best year we've ever had by any means, but we're making it through..."

Country heritage winery's operations manager ashlee baumgartner says she and her staff have constantly adjusted to the covid-19 pandemic.ashlee baumgartner//c ountry heritage operations manager "they're getting used to changes all the time.

It's not easy to for everyone to adapt, but we're making it work."

Mallory beard//mbeard@ wfft.com local wine owners say november and prime months for customers to get a good taste of wine.

But that won't be the case this year because of covid-19.

They say they're taking the lead on switching to pickup options again to keep customers safe.

As of today, baumgartner says country heritage is allowing only curbside pick up and carry out.

Ashlee baumgartner//country heritage operations manager "is it the ideal situation?

No absolutely not.

But we're doing the best we can with the things that are thrown at us daily.

Two ee's winery owner eric harris the winery switched to carryout only on december second.

A choice, he says... to protect both the staff and customers from covid-19.

Eric harris//two ee's owner "we weren't forced to change to a carryout only model.

We could still legally serve people on premise but we made that change prior to it being made for us."

He says most customers responded postively, many coming to pick the popular slushee packs the winery developed after being closed for the pandemic.

Eric harris//two ee's owner "there were some people that were a little disappointed because they're used to a family tradition of coming here and enjoying wine on site."

He says he empathizes with them, but... eric harris//two ee's owner "we want you here too, but we only want you here if it's going to be safe and healthy."

In huntington county, i'm mallory beard fox 55 news.

Both country heritage and two e's wineries say their curbside and carry-out models are not permanent, but they'll remain open to online reservations as