The “Gloria Fire” is one of the most recent, and started just east of Soledad, in Salinas Valley. Seems like fingers are pointing at Estancia Winery (owned by Constellation) as the cause. Wineries often use “bird bombs” to scare off hungry birds that eat the ripening grapes. Unlike the safer “bird cannons,” these bombs are fired by a hand held gun, and explode in the air. While the cannons give off no sparks, the bird bomb guns do.
Seems like carelessness may have caused millions in damage; currently the Gloria fire has burned over 6,000 acres, costing over $4 million in containment costs. In my eyes Estancia should be doing everything it can to improve its image. I prefer not to support large wineries like Estancia (or their parent company Constellation). Not only do I find their wines lackluster and mass produced, but they are not truly indicative of specific vineyard sites. Wine should bring you somewhere, giving you a taste of the unique terroir and winemaker’s style. Just my $.02.
One Response to “Estancia Winery Responsible For California Wildfire?”
Delightful irony. They should have left the birds alone. Reminds me of something about ‘reaping the whirlwind’.
Nice post.