In the tasting room at the Ledson Hotel, nary a soul, except for the staff and the owner.
[Ads /]
"I have never seen it like this," said Steve Ledson. He's 5th generation of the family that first planted grapes in this valley, now dealing with a fall season he'd rather forget, but will need to remember. Even now, Steve and other growers are dealing with the aftermath of our smoky September.
"You have to be prepared for the worst. You cannot run this business on a year-to-year basis," Steve said.
RELATED: First came COVID-19, then wildfire 'topped it off': Wine Country grapes damaged by smoke, lab confirms
We saw some of the damage during a ride into one of Steve's vineyards with his dog, Pistol. It was going to be the worst kind of show and tell. "I am going to show you grapes we cannot pick," Steve said.
Behold what had been a promising crop of Petite Syrah, ruined by smoke, left on their vines to fall on the ground. It's all about taste. Steve put one of the grapes in his mouth. "I am picking up an ashy flavor," he said.
"You can't fix that?" ABC7's Wayne Freedman asked.
"No," Steve answered.
[Ads /]
It's been a tough season for the grapes all around. They weathered 115-degree heat and then the smoke. It affects mostly the reds because they ferment with their skins on. The skins have that smoky taste.
VIDEO: Photos show scope of Bay Area wildfires' devastation
Scenes from Bay Area August 2020 fires
"In 2020 there will be no Sonoma Valley Estate Syrah," said Steve with a note of resigned finality. "The whole industry is affected by this."
In winemaking, that equates to the loss of a family member. A vintage unfulfilled. In an industry where people pride themselves on working with what nature gives them, this is the rarest of occurrences. We asked Steve Ledson about the emotional impact of that.
"Not good. Not good," he answered.
Saying those words nearly moved a very tough man to tears.
[Ads /]
But not all is lost. We will see whites this year because they ferment without the skin. And some rose's.
RELATED: 'It's a miracle': Napa's historic Nichelini Winery spared from Hennessy blaze
At his nearby facility filled with tanks, Steve is also hoping for at least some Pinot Noir. He pulled and pressed some grapes this morning from an untainted portion of the vineyard. Still, he makes no guarantees for how they will turn out, or for 2020.
Well, Steve did make one guarantee, actually.
"It's the story. 2020 is going to be a heck of a story. We don't know the outcome, yet, but it sure will be a story," he said.
App users: For a better experience, click here to view the full map in a new window
See more stories and videos about Building a Better Bay Area here.
RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:
- Dramatic photos capture orange, hazy skies seen all across San Francisco Bay Area
- BEFORE AND AFTER: DRONEVIEW7 captures shocking transition to orange San Francisco skies
- VIDEOS: Apocalyptic orange skies seen across Bay Area from wildfire smoke
- Purifiers and filters: Air quality experts share tips for taking safety to next level
- Tips for protecting your eyes from wildfire smoke, bad air quality
- How wildfire smoke can impact your health
- What's in wildfire smoke? How it can impact your health
- Here are all the fires burning in the Bay Area right now
- Track wildfires across Bay Area with this interactive map
- How to prepare for a wildfire evacuation
- Comparing the 10 biggest wildfires in California history
- Most destructive California wildfires in history
- Camp Fire is deadliest wildfire in California history
- How are wildfires started? A look at the causes of some of the worst in California history