Burn Baby Burn!
2007-08-08, Solvang - I'm writing today from the Bulldog Cafe - my wireless outpost and office away from home, conveniently next-door to Tastes of the Valleys wine bar. The Bulldog is usually a haven for wired road warriors jacked on Java, ear buds in place, fingers flailing. But today it's a haven for wildfire refugees - the unshaven and unshowered, evacuated from home or office by one of California's largest wildfires.
The Zaca fire has been burning since early July. With containment anticipated sometime around September 7th, it is definitely not a small fire. Over 72,000 acres have been consumed so far.
But firefighters have miraculously managed to minimize damage to a single structure. 
To keep it that way, the historic Coldstream Tavern (pictured) has invested $80K in a fireproof wrap to protect the historic structure, dating back to the 1860's. That's ancient history, by California standards. Too bad such measures can't be extended to our nearby vineyards, though so far, none of them have been affected.
But the acrid smell of smoke that greets each new breath is worse than a poker hall after a bachelor party. Cars are covered in ash every morning, and asthma sufferers are gasping all over town. The late hours at Tastes of the Valleys has made it a welcome respite for bleary-eyed firefighters and tourists alike, where cool and refreshing summer wines have enjoyed an understandable increase in popularity. Fortunately, inconveniences such as poor air quality and highway closures have not deterred California's intrepid wine pilgrims destined for Solvang and our surrounding wineries.
Our summer fire season may be the only time a wine's popularity is commensurate with its ability to cleanse the palate of the lingering taste of ash and smoke. Now, if it would only work on our clothes...
Be safe. Enjoy your summer.
Dave the Wine Merchant Dave@SidewaysWineClub.com
www.SidewaysWineClub.com and www.TastesOfTheValleys.com
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