Anderson Valley

When we first moved to the land - about 25 years ago - it was the quietest place you could imagine.
Just the wind in the trees, the watery sound of the creek, birds, frogs. Natural sounds. Chris and I and my daughter managed to scrape together enough money to buy some land on the Holmes Ranch, and with the help of local carpenters, built our house and pottery workshop. We've always loved this place, - the redwoods, the peacefulness. But it's changing.
Early this morning, like many other mornings lately, I woke to the industrial sounds of machinery. Some years ago, a winery from Napa bought 20 acres about a quarter to a half a mile from here, smack in the middle of the Holmes Ranch subdivision. They scraped the land clean of buildings and vegetation and then they planted grapes. Sound carries. They frost-protect in winter in the early morning hours, sometimes starting around 2 a.m. with a machine that sounds like a helicopter in the bedroom that ruins everyone's sleep.
They spray god knows what in the summer to kill anything that might threaten their investment. The sprayer is loud, disturbing the peace when most people are still in bed. I wonder and worry about how much toxic spray is getting into the creek. I've called the Ag Department about this, but never got very far.
Apples and pears used to be grown here in the valley, but the Grape is now King of Agriculture in this county - if you don't count the illegal crop. Everyone knows someone whose livelihood is connected to the wine industry, so it's a touchy subject. A few wineries, like Handley Cellars, are growing organically, bless'em. I hope more of the wineries do the same, giving some consideration to their neighbors. Find a way to protect the grapes from frost that is quiet. I'd appreciate less noise, please, and no poisons. Some of us get cranky when we haven't had enough sleep, but don't get me wrong. I like wine. Doesn't everyone?