If you're not paying attention to the Geyserville fire right now, you should

B

BJ

BJ
A lot of bad shit happening right now. Both my sisters have had to evacuate. Actual and potential hard hit to lots and lots of vineyards.
 
I had lunch with an owner of Aperture (which, thus far, is okay) and he told me that the whole Francis Ford Coppola extravaganza, including the winery, is in immediate peril. Among already great losses the Coppola loss would be another huge tragedy if it is victimized by the ever-spreading hazards.

. . . . Pete
 
I decided to try to raise some money for a couple of organizations (Undocufund, and CorazonHealdsburg) serving people who have been adversely affected by the fire, by offering ESJ 2017 Bone-Jolly Gamay Rosé at $99 per case (not including tax or shipping), all of which I will donate to those organizations. We've sold almost 70 cases in the first 24 hours. If anyone on this board would like to participate, please let me know; there's a few cases left!
 
Power was restored at my house in Sonoma about an hour ago - we lost power last Saturday at nine pm. Aside from power issues, the town of Sonoma did okay. Not even a great deal of smoke.
Soda Canyon and Fieldstone wineries were destroyed. Calluna, at the top of chalk hill, is certainly threatened but no info on damage. And the facility used by Idlewild, Leo Steen and Ryme was in the fire’s path but no info on them yet.
Our winery, in the Coffey Park area of Santa Rosa has had power and done alright despite being in a mandatory evacuation area.
The rest of what I know is in the papers, etc.
Three years in a row, fire has been a part of our lives here in Sonoma.
It’s getting a bit much.
Best, Jim
 
originally posted by Florida Jim:
Three years in a row, fire has been a part of our lives here in Sonoma.
It’s getting a bit much.
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This seems to be the price of "living-the-dream" in the Golden State these days, and as CA is the most populous state, I'd say the majority have voted to stay with fires as an acceptable risk.
 
originally posted by MarkS:
originally posted by Florida Jim:
Three years in a row, fire has been a part of our lives here in Sonoma.
It’s getting a bit much.
Click to expand...

This seems to be the price of "living-the-dream" in the Golden State these days, and as CA is the most populous state, I'd say the majority have voted to stay with fires as an acceptable risk.
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A large chunk of the population (mainly inner urban or flat agricultural land) aren't directly threatened by fires. On the other hand, a substantial part of the cost will be born by all Californians, one way or another. And I don't think we've seen an advanced economy sustain repeated but unpredictable (in the short term) shutdowns in huge swaths of its electrical grid.
 
With time and money, the electrical grid can be rebuilt in a way that isn't so fire-prone. The real problem here is global warming: there was never very much water across vast stretches of California, and now it's evaporating faster than ever... and fire will 'terraform' way faster than we can.
 
Experts say the real problem is California's disallowing cutting of fire lanes and removal of dead wood, undergrowth, and ground clutter. Reportedly the big fire this year was caused when a power line fell on dead wood.

. . . . Pete
 
originally posted by Peter Creasey:

Experts say the real problem is California's disallowing cutting of fire lanes and removal of dead wood, undergrowth, and ground clutter. Reportedly the big fire this year was caused when a power line fell on dead wood.

. . . . Pete
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Pete,
It’s a complicated problem with lack of rain for extended periods, high winds, low humidity, brush so dry and exposed power lines to name but a few. Seeing it as simply a fire lane/undergrowth problem is far too simplistic. IMO, Jeff’s comments about global climate change are well taken. Dead wood and power lines are the brush strokes but climate change is the big picture.
And while I advocate learned people’s assessments and constructive change in policy, for me the matter is where can I live safely. And it is becoming increasingly more difficult to convince myself that here is the place.
We’ll see.
Best, Jim
 
originally posted by Peter Creasey:

Experts say the real problem is California's disallowing cutting of fire lanes and removal of dead wood, undergrowth, and ground clutter. Reportedly the big fire this year was caused when a power line fell on dead wood.

. . . . Pete
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I am unaware of any experts that say this is the real problem. That sounds like something you might hear on Fox News.
 
Scherrer Winery...

Fire Update

We are all safe, thank you for all the calls and emails. It's been a hard and scary week with multiple evacuations and extended power shut down. The winery is safe, Fred stayed at the winery through the evacuations to take care of the fermentations and cool the winery down at night.

scherrer.jpg
Scherrer Vineyard and Ed and Evelyn's home are safe. The fire came down the hill and got very close, The mowing and work to keep the property clear created defensible space and the fire stopped short of the house and barns. The Shale Terrace Zin vineyard is just behind the barn pictured, it was that close. The neighbors on both sides were not as lucky and lost their homes. We all have much to be thankful for.
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It's good to hear some good news stories on all of this.

. . . . . Pete

P.S.(Highlighting of his comment on strategy done by me.)
 
As for Fred; great news.
As for Pete; we disagree strongly. No worries, I respect your opinion. Although I would like to suggest a little more research; maybe for both of us.
Best, Jim
 
Jim, Please look back and see that I have not expressed an opinion. I'm sorry if I somehow miscommunicated. I am totally not qualified to have an opinion.

I have a lot of respect for you also, going way back, so I'm glad you gave me the opportunity to clarify this.

. . . . Pete
 
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