Sonoma Wineries and Environmentalists Battle Over Pesticides

(from the Wine Spectator, Dec. 2000)

Growing fear of vine pest prompts plans to spray private properties

The glassy-winged sharpshooter, the insect that transmits vine-killing Pierce's disease, has not infested Sonoma County and may never do so. But the half-inch-long insect has already buzzed to the frontline of an explosive battle pitting the local wine industry against opponents of pesticide spraying.

In October, the Sonoma County board of supervisors unanimously rejected a proposal submitted by John Westoby, county agricultural commissioner, that would have authorized pesticide spraying-with or without a landowner's consent-on properties infested by the deadly vine pest.

The glassy-winged sharpshooter has already devastated much of Southern California's Temecula wine appellation, and the insect appears to be moving north. Agricultural commissioners in other infested countiessuch as Fresno, Sacramento and Tulare, in the Central Valley-have sprayed pesticides on more than 1,000 private properties.

The Sonoma board of supervisors' vote came after hearing arguments from environmental activists who view pesticides as a greater danger than Pierce's disease. "We're completely against forced spraying," said Lucy Kenyon of the Sonoma Sierra Club. "While the wine industry is important to a lot of people, including members of the Sierra Club, the health of human beings and the environment must take precedence."

State law gives agricultural commissioners the authority to order spraying, but Westoby wants to accommodate as many residents as possible in plans to deal with an infestation of sharpshooters. He has been working on a revised proposal that might allow property owners some time to pursue alternative treatments to pesticides.

But currently, pesticides are believed to be the most effective technique for eradicating outbreaks of Pierce's disease, which could devastate Sonoma's $2 billion wine industry. Researchers have

Organic grower Phil Coturri is against spraying all of Sonoma County, yet to find a cure for the bacterial disease; the only solution is to prevent the spread of the insects that carry it.

Some in the wine industry claim that a vocal minority has grossly overstated the risks of pesticides. "I appreciate the community's concern about spraying in urban areas, but I think there's a lot of sentiment about pesticides that originated a couple of decades ago," said Pete Opatz, director of viticulture at Clos do Bois Winery in Alexander Valley. "The toxicology people have in their minds and hearts is dated."

Still, other winemakers and growers believe that they shouldn't rely solely on pesticides. Phil Coturri, who farms 300 acres organically in Sonoma for clients who include Hanzell, Carmenet and Arrowood wineries, feels torn between conflicting priorities when it comes to spraying. "I don't think there is one clear answer," he said. "To totally spray the county is wrong, but not to spray when it will affect people's livelihood is wrong."

-Daniel Sogg
Wine Spectator