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Fire retardant may be a bigger concern for grape growers in the Dry Creek Valley than smoke taint. Harry Merlo Junior, who owns a vineyard near the site of the Point Fire, tells the Press Democrat some of his grapes are covered in fire retardant. He believes 20 of his 100 acres of planted vines are coated with the red liquid dropped by firefighting planes last week. Very little of Merlo’s vineyard was damaged by flames, but he is still bracing for a total crop loss this year. The Sonoma County wine region’s trade group says full damage estimates from the Point Fire are not expected for weeks.