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Around 30 wineries in the Willamette Valley in the US state of Oregon are suing energy producer PacifiCorp in connection with wildfires in 2020, accusing the company of failing to switch off power to its 600,000 customers during a storm despite warnings from Oregon fire authorities. The power lines would have started or at least fanned the wildfires on Labour Day 2020. The fires destroyed almost 4,900 square kilometres of land and 5,000 homes. The smoke affected the quality of the grapes to such an extent that the majority of the grapes could not be used. Despite "extraordinary costs" to save them, the 2020 vintage was a total failure for many.
PacifiCorp is part of multi-billionaire Warren Buffett's investment company Berkshire Hathaway and, according to its own statements, is endeavouring to settle all "legitimate claims". It has already been ordered to pay several hundred million US dollars in several court cases. The final sum could run into the billions. Buffett warned in his annual letter to investors in April that such lawsuits and claims would make "utilities in the US risky investments".
Some wineries found solutions to deal with their smoky grapes. Patricia Green Cellars, for example, had over 45,000 litres of Pinot Noir distilled to make a blend of brandy and whisky. However, less than 1,500 litres of whisky could be obtained from this quantity of wine.
(al / Source: drinksbusiness)