Astoria, OR – Three prominent Willamette Valley vineyards are suing two regional utility companies, seeking $11 million in damages for losses incurred during the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire. King Estate Winery, Iris Vineyards, and Pfeiffer Vineyards filed their complaint in the Oregon U.S. District Court on September 13, 2023, accusing Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and Lane Electric Cooperative of negligence that contributed to the devastating fire, which severely impacted the region’s wine grape harvest.
The vineyards allege that BPA failed to adequately manage the transmission lines it controls, particularly by not removing all trees at risk of falling onto the power lines. Despite multiple warnings from the National Weather Service about high winds and extreme fire risk in the days leading up to the fire, the vineyards claim BPA neglected to shut off power to the lines. This failure, they argue, played a significant role in sparking the Holiday Farm Fire, which wreaked havoc on the Willamette Valley, one of Oregon’s most renowned wine-growing regions.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages to cover losses caused by the smoke and ash from the fire, which rendered their grape crops unsellable. According to the lawsuit, the smoke and particulates caused the grapes to become tainted with an unpleasant smoky flavor, known as “smoke taint.” Cole Cerrato, an assistant professor at Oregon State University’s Wine Research Institute, explained that smoke-tainted grapes often develop an “ashy” taste that makes them unsuitable for winemaking. In some cases, wineries may reject entire harvests, leaving the grapes to rot on the vine.
“This action seeks to recover damages caused by the Holiday Farm Fire’s smoke, particles, and chemicals, which made grapes unsuitable for wine,” the lawsuit states. The complaint highlights the financial hardship vineyards face when forced to abandon their harvests, as was the case with one of the plaintiffs, which reportedly had to discard several hundred tons of grapes due to smoke taint.
The Holiday Farm Fire, which began in early September 2020, was one of many wildfires that swept across the Pacific Northwest that year, causing widespread damage to homes, businesses, and agriculture. Vineyards, which are particularly sensitive to smoke exposure, have been among the hardest-hit by the fires. In addition to this lawsuit, several other Oregon vineyards and wineries are suing other utilities, including PacifiCorp, over similar allegations of negligence and poor fire management.
Lane Electric, which provides power to parts of the region, has requested to be dismissed from the lawsuit. A spokesperson for the cooperative stated that it could not comment on pending litigation. Meanwhile, BPA, which oversees much of the power transmission in the Pacific Northwest, has also requested to be dismissed from other lawsuits related to the fire.
The outcome of these legal battles could have far-reaching implications for utility companies and wildfire prevention efforts in Oregon, where the wine industry is a significant economic driver. As the case continues to unfold, the vineyards are calling for accountability for the fire’s impact on their businesses and livelihoods.
