California and NY Vineyards Mobilize to Fight Fracking

A story in the latest issue of Wine Business Monthly (available to subscribers only) follows up on this earlier story from Wines & Vines (link here).

A Santa Barbara vintner bought and planted his vineyard on land where the mineral rights were retained by the previous owner and sold to Venoco, a Denver-based energy company.

The two wells affected were deep - below groundwater. No EIR was done previous to fracking. Toxic wastewater was released as well. The vintner claims the wastewater did not touch his vines; he says Venoco-owned pipes took the water away.

In New York state, wineries are starting to engage in fighting against fracking big time. See this article: New York Cork Report: Fracking: Big Questions Still Remain.