Winemakers, Officials Worry About Ongoing Rains

As ongoing rains pummel the North Bay, both public safety officials and grape growers are expressing concern.

Sonoma County alone saw more than 30 vehicle crashes between 7
a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday, California Highway Patrol Officer Jon Sloat said.

Only two of these collisions sent passengers to the hospital with moderate injuries while the others were non-injury crashes, he said.

But nearly all of the crashes were attributed to unsafe speeds for wet road conditions, according to Sloat.

The CHP is reminding drivers slow down, ensure that windshield wipers are in good condition, and keep headlights turned on.

The heaviest rain is expected to move through the area early Wednesday and light showers and possible thunderstorms are expected Wednesday
afternoon.

"It looks like we might get a decent soaking on Wednesday," Stumpf said.

After a late harvest, the continuing rains are worrying local grape growers, who are concerned that if the rains continue, this year's harvest may be compromised, _according to the Sonoma Index Tribune_. 

"It's still too early to tell what it's going to do to us," said David Cook, of Cook Vineyard Management, around noon on Monday, just as the drizzle settled over Sonoma. "If we get under a half-inch of rain, it doesn't really matter."

Other growers are getting creative: Ramona Nicholson, of Nicholson Ranch Winery, formed an _impromptu contraption of poly sheeting_ to protect the ripe grapes from the downpour.

But further up in the Russian River growing area, vintners are less concerned with the fledgling crops: _several wineries told Reuters_ that they anticipate 2011 to be an exceptional harvest.