Rambo’s mission that morning: Protecting chardonnay grapes owned by Bouchaine Vineyards from hungry, smaller birds.

“Falconry,” said Rosen, owner of Authentic Abatement, “is one of the more effective ways of scaring birds. Because if you don’t leave you get eaten.”

As harvest dwindles for early ripening varietals like chardonnay and pinot noir, the lingering grapes yet to be picked are for now still in need of protection from the threat of birds, particularly in the southern Carneros region.

Netting, propane-based bird cannons, or some combination of the two, are favored methods among growers to stem the loss of their fruit from the blackbirds, starlings and house finches common in the area. Still others have opted for a more predator-based approach.