Growers at 12 wineries watching crop exposed to smoke from Soberanes Fire

Grapegrowers are keeping their eyes on their crops at a dozen wineries in Carmel Valley closest to the Soberanes Fire, which has burned over 60,000 acres since it began more than two weeks ago in Monterey County. The grapes have been exposed to heavy levels of smoke as they undergo veraison, when the berries change colour indicating they’re moving closer to ripening, and many growers can’t do much to protect their crop, Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association executive director Kim Stemler said.