Driven by “diablo” winds, massive wildfires burned hundreds of buildings, including three wineries, and tens of thousands of acres in Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties, reports the Wine Spectator. Dairy farms and produce growers with crops ripe for fall harvest also were in peril, “but moving farm animals is another story,” said the San Francisco Chronicle.
“Signorello Estate Winery, Frey Vineyards and Paradise Ridge Winery were destroyed, portions of Stags’ Leap Winery were burned and several more wineries are reportedly threatened,” said Wine Spectator. “Winemakers across the region struggled to check on their wineries while smoke engulfed the North Bay. In Napa and Mendocino, harvest is in full swing, while in Sonoma, growers
“Though the conditions that fed the blazes — high winds from the interior, dried-up vegetation and low humidity — are more typical of Southern California’s fall fire season, the north has seen its share of horrific autumn wildfires,” said the Los Angeles Times. “Two years ago the Valley fire roared across Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties, killing four people and destroying 1,995 buildings.”
“Napa and Sonoma vintners braced to confront the long-term consequences of a disastrous event that could affect the supply of grapes, the quality of the region’s wines and the local tourism industries for years to come,” said the San Francisco Chronicle. “Some historic properties were lost. White Rock Vineyards, whose Soda Canyon area winery was first established in 1870, was completely gone, a staff member confirmed. And some historic vineyards, especially in Sonoma Valley — irreplaceable old vines dating back to the 19th century, in some cases — were feared singed.”
Separately, the Chronicle said, “marijuana growers north of San Francisco continue to face mandatory evacuation orders as well as likely tens of millions of dollars in crop damage and loss amid widespread wildfires in Wine Country and surrounding areas.” The executive director of the California Growers Association told the newspaper that the fires in Sonoma and Mendocino counties meant “the worst year on record for California’s growers.”