Photos: Catalina vineyard
Alison Wrigley Rusack and husband Geoff Rusack have planted a vineyard on Santa Catalina Island. They plan to build a wine-making operation and invite the public to visit the complex. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
A stand of vines that bear pinot noir grapes offers a view of the Santa Catalina Island coast. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
The V1 indicates Santa Catalina Island’s first vintage. The grapes were grown on the island then airlifted from Catalinas Airport in the Sky to the Rusack winery in Santa Ynez for processing, fermentation and bottling. The Rusacks plan to build a winery on the island. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Rusack family winemaker John Falcone checks the taste of a 2010 Santa Catalina Island Chardonnay aging in oak barrels at the family winery in the Santa Ynez Valley. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
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Tourism on Catalina revolves around cruise ships that disgorge thousands of day-trippers who spend a few hours exploring boutiques and restaurants in Avalon, 17 miles east of the Wrigley ranch, and then leave. The Rusacks want to offer an alternative experience. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
