Several winery owners near Lyle, Washington are continuing to evaluate the impact caused by the explosive Burdoin Fire in the Columbia River Gorge.
More than a week after the fire started, the proprietors of Baro Wine located north of town are starting to accept their losses.
Eric and Ashley Blossman, along with their two children, were safely removed from the area when the Burdoin Fire destroyed their winery, wine cellar, and two additional structures. Their nearby residence was protected, thanks to efforts by local residents who worked to save it.
Baro Wine takes its name from the high atmospheric pressure found at the mountaintop vineyard that offers a view of the Columbia River Gorge. The powerful winds contribute to robust vines with deep root systems, yet these very winds also brought the Burdoin Fire directly to the Blossmans’ doorstep.
“We lost four structures, a tractor barn, some vineyard items, along with a significant amount of agricultural machinery,” said owner Eric Blossman.
Eric mentioned that he has spent numerous nights lying awake in bed, mentally tallying the expenses.
It’s extremely difficult to perceive,” said his wife and business partner Ashley Blossman, “but it’s beneficial to view it in person — to make it tangible.
The powerful, dry winds also drove the fire into the family’s vineyards; the flames grazed the leaves and transformed grapes into raisins.
The couple observed through their Ring application as smoke drifted onto their property and the fire started in their shed.
I saw the flames in the distance,” Ashley said, “and I noticed the smoke rising.
I’m trying to stay steady,” said Eric, “you know, going with the flow and being logical, not feeling it too much. I was a disaster yesterday, and I don’t have a clue why.
Interestingly, their home remained standing after the fire.
Eric activated the sprinklers prior to evacuating with their two children.
He calculated that roughly 1,300 wine cases, featuring bottles from both their 2023 and 2024 harvests, were destroyed in the fire.
“I detected a red scent over here, and white wine over there,” he said, gesturing toward piles of broken wine bottles — many of which somehow remained in place.
The Blossmans mentioned that they bought the property in 2020 and started making commercial wine in 2023.
Directly below the hill, Syncline Winery has been producing wine in Lyle for over two decades.
The Burdoin Fire also affected their vineyards. Owner James Mantone thinks they have lost over an acre of young vines. They are still evaluating the extent of the damage.
No grapes will be harvested this year,” Mantone stated, mentioning the supposed smoke-related damage to his crop. “It’s a total loss here.
He mentioned that they are striving to deliver water to the affected grapevines, “to provide them a chance to recover,” he added.
Mantone mentioned that local vineyards with a brief cover crop and fire breaks likely performed the best.
Cor Cellars mentioned that they lost a pump house containing essential machinery.
There are many individuals in the community who have experienced property damage,” Mantone stated. “It’s not only the wineries affected. It’s a challenging period for the entire community.
He mentioned that he is aware of individuals who have lost their homes. He described Lyle as a close-knit group where people support one another, and some vineyard owners have volunteered to provide grapes to Syncline so they can produce wine this year.
It’s a tough period,” Mantone stated. “This is the worst catastrophe we’ve encountered since our arrival.
