Yesterday's Press Democrat article about two highly controversial vineyard development projects reminded me of the Unified Symposium. I flashed on the eight-foot high wine bottle that showed up at the symposium holding a chainsaw. It had a label that read “Pinot Egregio: Chainsaw Wine” and was hanging around outside.

That was seven years ago. Premier Pacific’s Preservation Ranch project and the other plan by Artesa have been in the works a long time.

Premier Pacific was launched ten years ago to develop high end, super fancy “grand cru” caliber vineyards that deliver the best fruit and to sell those vineyards at a profit. As we know, the market changed. What's the exit strategy? Will Calpers, the biggest investor, take a haircut? It will be interesting to see how Preservaton Ranch and Premier Pacific play out.

Is the choice here really asphalt or vineyards?

This video about the downsides of the Preservation Ranch proposal posted in 2007.