Drone soars over vineyards, but is it legal?

Winemaker Zach Long describes the estate’s wines as the aerial tour continues over hillside vineyards that produce each varietal.

The images are lovely, the production slick. It’s also likely the video is illegal.

Under current federal aviation rules, using unmanned aircraft — what commonly are referred to as drones — for commercial purposes is prohibited in the United States.

Kunde officials dispute that’s what they are doing with Vino, the nickname for the remote-controlled device they bought for less than $1,000 online.

“We’re just filming our vineyards,” said Marcia Kunde Mickelson, the winery’s marketing communications manager.

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