October 7, 2024

MILT PREPARES FOR BATTLE

Over the years, the bears have consumed tons of grapes in our vineyards, and Else’s Vineyard is hit particularly hard because it is the last one to be ripe and ready for harvest. This year our friend Milt decided to help us protect the grapes in Else’s Vineyard, fighting on several fronts: He dropped rocks and enforced the fence where the furry intruders have their favorite spots, and he left general servings of cayenne pepper that bears are supposed to hate. And it probably didn’t hurt that he brought his dog friends, Orion (left on photos) and Molly (right), to leave their marks along the fence.

October 15, 2024.

Harvest of Else’s Vineyard is tonight, and Milt made a last round with the dogs, when things took a dramatic turn. Here is the story as he told it later:

PEACE & PLENTY

Enjoying the day, Orion, Molly, and I strolled towards Else’s Vineyard. I was eager to see if the bears chose to enter the vineyard last night, and I was relieved to see there were no signs of bear entry.  

We then sat down at the highest corner of the vineyard for a cool drink. I should have recognized something was amiss, because the canines were not competing to get the first drink, as they usually are. (They are both pretty good about being second 🙂

WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN…

As I unpacked the bowl, Molly shot up and a chase was on!  She had spotted a coyote cutting across the vineyard about 50 yards away. Molly paused and galloped (a very impressive stride) down to the bottom of the vineyard, paralleling the coyote’s path. The coyote headed toward the vineyard gate and cut right at the gulley; it was a picture-perfect pursuit.  

Coyote sailed over the fence using the hog wire to propel itself over; it was majestic. Molly followed, not so majestically landing on two feet, then a shoulder, followed by the leash. They continued in a blur towards the Homestead Trail, and I lost sight of them after that.  

Orion and I mumbled to each other; he was not happy with Molly. We headed for the vineyard gate, trying to process what had just happened. We took on the role of search party and returned to the tasting room without Molly, jumped in the truck, and drove up Sorenson Road where we saw Molly hanging out at camping spot #7. She was too excited to join us right away, but we later met her at the bridge and we had a successful return. Overall, a very exciting day with a spectacular finish!

We are grateful that Milt and the dogs took it upon them to protect our grapes, and the tonnage we harvested was quite a bit above average. We know that many critters are eager to taste the grapes – coyote, raccoon, turkeys and all sorts and sizes of birds, but it was a surprise that this one coyote was bold enough to harvest during daytime.