This morning brought relief and gratitude to the winegrowers and vintners of the famed Anderson Valley AVA
Philo, CA, July 26. 2024 – In the late afternoon yesterday, a fire broke out on Route 128, near the Philo Grange Hall, a community gathering building. Route 128 is the main highway traversing the Valley from CA 101 to the Pacific Coast. It appears a tourist pulling a boat left chains dragging on the road and sparks ignited on both sides of the two lane road.
Firefighters from Ukiah were on scene within eight minutes and two CalFire bombers and three CalFire helicopters arrived soon after. Nearby Goldeneye Winery provided water from their irrigation pond. As always in the Anderson Valley, grape growers and vintners supported each other in this time of need with both communications and resources.
About a hundred residents were evacuated to the Mendocino Fairgrounds, where, as grower Peggy Ridley of Ridley Vineyards, stated, “once we knew the fire was managed, we sat around and drank good wine until we could go home. What else would we do in wine country?”
Grower Norman Kobler quickly pointed out, “the smoke only lasted two hours in some vineyard sites before it shifted easterly. Smoke was short-lived and should not impact the harvest.” Kobler is also the owner of Philo Vineyard Solutions in Philo and co-owner of the well-known Ferrington Vineyards in Boonville.
Anderson Valley Winegrowers President Doug Stewart of Lichen Estate and Breggo Vineyards, filmed the first responders dropping retardant and water on the approximately 80 acre fire while spending the night fully clothed on his sofa ready to evacuate. Although media sources said the fire was five percent contained this morning, Stewart said the fire was definitely out and that firefighters were just mopping up and taking care of any smoldering lingering in the early morning.
“This short-lived fire should not have any effect on our 2024 harvest, which is looking to be a fantastic year.” Stewart said. “CalFire’s aerial assault – with two helicopters and three bombers dropping water and retardant – was impressive. The quick actions of first responders, with dozens of trucks on the ground from in and out of the Anderson Valley, stopped the fire as it was headed easterly up the mountain and no vineyards were affected. We could not be more grateful to our brave firefighters and volunteers.”
Volunteer firefighter Tina Walter shared the sentiment “you feel so hopeless when you have to watch fire come down the road towards our friends homes and businesses, and everyone is doing everything they can to stop it”. Vintners and guests are encouraged to support the local fire department this Sunday from 4-7pm at the Boonville Fairgrounds for a tri-tip fundraiser or donate online at https://www.avvffa.org/about-
Anderson Valley is up and running after a few hours of power loss and ready to welcome tourists and wine lovers this weekend and throughout the summer. We remind visitors we are a rural community and to be extremely careful with anything that could ignite a spark leading to a wildfire.
About the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association
The Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association (AVWA) was founded in 1983 – the same year as the appellation. Made up of 25 vineyard, 65 winery and 63 associate members, the nonprofit organization operates with the goal of supporting the region’s premier grape growers and wineries, as well as promoting the region’s distinguished wines. In addition to acting as a resource for its members, the association aims to better its community by donating funds yearly to local nonprofit organizations.
