Hi John,
Since opening in 2007, Vino in the Valley has become one of western Wisconsin’s most beloved dining destinations. For 19 years, owner Larry Brenner has brought people together over good food, local wine, and the beauty of the Rush River valley.
But the clean water his business depends on is now at risk. Large-scale livestock operations (CAFOs) are expanding nearby, which have been known to pollute groundwater with nitrates from manure. Larry has already seen what happens when drinking water becomes unsafe.
His other restaurant in Buffalo County has failed nitrate tests, forcing him to post warnings to customers that they cannot drink the water.
As Larry told me: “Water is everything. And if we can’t have good, fresh, clean, drinkable water here, the business is done.” |