Napa Valley winery rejects Oregon grapes

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – A California wine company has suddenly canceled contracts to purchase at least 2,000 tons of wine grapes from Southern Oregon growers because of apparent smoke contamination from wildfires.

The Capital Press reports Copper Cane Wines & Provisions based in Napa Valley told growers as recently as late September that it would not buy the grapes.

John Pratt, president of the Rogue Valley Winegrowers Association and owner of Celestina Vineyard in Medford, says Copper Cane rejected the grapes valued at $4 million, leaving the fruit to rot on the vine.

Pratt says vineyard owners tested and found that the levels of certain compounds released by burning wood that indicate smoke taint in fruit were below cause for concern.

A representative for Copper Cane didn’t return messages for comment.

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Information from: Capital Press, http://www.capitalpress.com/washington