Oregon vineyards face losses amid concerns about smoke

SALEM, Ore. – Some Oregon lawmakers and winery owners scrambled last week to help a dozen vineyard owners who face the prospect of tons of grapes withering on the vine after a California company abruptly canceled contracts to buy the grapes worth millions of dollars over fears they are tainted by wildfire smoke.

Copper Cane, based in the Napa Valley, canceled contracts to buy 2,000 tons of grapes just as the annual harvest was getting underway in Oregon.

The value of the grapes totals $4 million.

The cancellation of the contracts “is perhaps the most devastating issue facing the Oregon wine industry in our history,” said Christine Collier Clair, winery director of Willamette Valley Vineyards.

Lab tests carried out so far show wildfire smoke hasn’t had an adverse effect on the grapes, Clair said.

Jim Blumling, Copper Cane’s vice president of operations, said both lab and sensory tests showed a high level of smoke taint. The most effective time to test is as close as possible to harvest, he added.

He said the California company is seeking grapes from elsewhere in Oregon.

Wildfires cloaked the U.S. West in smoke this summer. It comes as climate change extends the wildfire season and makes blazes bigger and more destructive.