Healdsburg vineyard owner loses crop, names newborn puppy after Kincade Fire

Wayne Freedman Image
ByWayne Freedman KGO logo
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Healdsburg vineyard owner loses crop, names newborn puppy after Kincade Fire
The owner of Alexander Valley Wines in Healdsburg lost all her grapes to the Kincade Fire. She says if she has to start over, it can take 7 years to get the vineyard going again.

HEALDSBURG, Calif. (KGO) -- Say hello to Sadie Kincade. She's a basset house puppy, born just one day before the fire for which Ellen Johnson named her.

"She's the smallest evacuee and survivor," said Ellen, who now faces a world of worry since the blaze burned a rental cottage on her property along with $250,00-worth of ready-to-pick cab franc grapes.

Johnson's Alexander Valley Wines is a throwback to the less-heralded times in this valley. Ellen has never known another home address. Her grandparents bought the place in the 1950's.

We met her yesterday, standing in line outside the Healdsburg Community Center, along with hundreds of other fire victims hoping for help.

RELATED: How to help Californians impacted by the Kincade Fire

"I hate to ask," she said, "but if we can get it, we'll struggle through and take what we can."

Without federal emergency funds from FEMA, however, Ellen has limited options.

"I wonder how these burned grapes taste," she said while popping one in her mouth. "Like cooked grapes."

RELATED: Anxiety runs high for Kincade Fire evacuees who were among last to get PG&E service restored

Ellen is waiting for an expert from UC Davis to visit Tuesday afternoon.

"See if we can save some of them," she said. "Otherwise, it's seven years to get a vineyard going again.

That's a feisty, determined woman - Her grandparents would approve.

Get the latest developments on the Kincade Fire here.

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