Gill doesn t think switching to diesel is the answer for him. It s a lot of work to keep those engines going. I hope the utility company has some sort of game plan for us. I thought I would have heard something from them by now. Nickel said cherries water needs are more critical than his zinfandel grapes.
Water is needed to help size up cherries.
Nickel is also concerned what will happen to his cherries when they get to the packing house where they need to be quickly cooled. It seems the packers are going to have install back-up generators to get through the crisis. Nickel isn t sure how vintners are going to get through this summer, especially for the cold fermentation needs for the white varietals. My guess is that a box of cherries and a bottle of wine are going to have to cost more that s all there is to it, Nickel said. Mike Phillips wine and fresh produce business are at the mercy of electricity.