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News
Smoke taint threat from California wildfires
There are fears among California vintners that the wildfires currently raging in the state may affect grapes with smoke taint.
As reported by The Guardian, vintners in Napa are concerned about how the smoke from a fire in neighboring Lake County may affect their crop this year.
“It’s a really big concern for vineyards near the fires because for red grapes, where the skin is still used in the winemaking process, the smoke could potentially infuse and create abnormal flavors,” a Sonoma-based winemaker who asked not to be named, told The Guardian.
A number of winemakers have sent grape samples to laboratories to determine whether or not they have been affected by the fumes.
“It depends on where the grapes are located and the state of the grapes. This is something to seriously watch in about a month when the grapes are getting ready for harvest,” Andy Beckstoffer of Beckstoffer Vineyards told the paper.
Some 3,600 firefighters have been battling the blaze in Rocky, where over 70,000 acres of forest have been consumed by flames.
Australia’s Department of Agriculture and Food investigated the effect of smoke taint on grapes after wildfires ignited near Canberra in 2003.
“Wines made from grapes exposed to smoke during sensitive growth stages can exhibit aromas and flavours resembling smoked meat, disinfectant, leather, salami and ashtrays,” a report from the company stated. Over 1,500 wildfires have already erupted in California this year.
The Rocky fire (and all other fires) burning in CA right now are a true tragedy for the people and property affected. Our hearts and thoughts are with all of them, especially the family of the firefighter who lost his life in the line of duty. However, we are disappointed to see so many inaccuracies reported in this story:
– There have been no reports of smoke taint in Napa Valley as a result of the Rocky fire. These concerns are greatly overstated in both this story and The Guardian’s original article.
– The Rocky fire is burning in Lake County, more than 60 miles away from the Napa Valley with the smoke blowing in the opposite direction.
– As of today, the Rocky fire is 40% contained and has burned approximately 70,000 acres so far.
– Some 3,600 firefighters are battling this blaze. The 10,000 figure stated above is for ALL firefighters working in CA right now, not solely on this fire.
– The firefighter who tragically lost his life last week was working on a fire in Modoc County, not the Rocky fire.
We respectfully request your team review CalFire Incident reports and/or fact check a story like this in the future. It is unfortunate that you chose instead to merely perpetuate another publication’s report that was inaccurate. We are happy to speak with you any time to provide facts, figures and information about the Napa Valley wine industry.
Patsy McGaughy
Communications Director
Napa Valley Vintners
A perspective from a winemaker with 40+ years of experience in Napa Valley:
We appreciate the expressed concerns during this awful fire season in California for the health of the 2015 grape crop that is currently ripening on the vine. As of August 6th, consistent afternoon onshore breezes from the southwest have blown smoke from both the Wragg Fire and the Rocky Fire directly away from the vineyard lands of Napa, Sonoma and Lake counties leaving our skies relatively clear. We are blessed with the Pacific Ocean marine influence.
Our views to the north remind us how lucky we are as we track the progress of the Rocky Fire in northeast Lake county some 35 miles distant. While the smoke blows away from us, the stories of the fire fight come directly to us as CalFire and local Fire Districts wage the heroic battle in extremely rugged terrain and hot dry conditions. We are very proud of them. And our hearts ache for family, friends and neighbors who have been affected or have lost their homes and property to this horrific event. Our thoughts are with you.
So please don’t worry about our grapes. Instead, direct your concerns toward those whose lives are being adversely affected and at the very least, offer them your hopes and prayers.