Napa Fires: Wine Country Begins To Assess Damages, Economic Impacts

NAPA VALLEY, CA — At least four Napa Valley wineries have been destroyed or were dealt significant damages in a series of devastating wildfires this week in Napa and Sonoma counties — a number that may increase, according to a statement Tuesday from Napa Valley Vintners, the nonprofit trade association made up of 550 members within iconic Napa wine country.

"Yesterday we reached out to all members of the Napa Valley Vintners trade association requesting a status report," the association said. "We have heard from more than 100 of them who shared reports about the condition of their businesses and their operating status."

As of 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, however, the association said it had yet to hear from some members in the most vulnerable areas of the valley, including along the Silverado Trail, in Calistoga and in the Mt. Veeder/Partrick Road/Henry Road areas, according to the statement.

Among the 100 members Napa Valley Vintners heard from, at least nine others reported damage to their winery, outbuildings or surrounding vineyards. There are other wineries not yet able to access their properties — leaving their condition unknown, the group said.

"It is too early to estimate the economic impact of the fires on the Napa Valley wine industry," the statement continued.

Fire impacts thus far have included valley-wide power outages, challenges communicating via email, text or phone and the inability for employees to get to their place of work — a situation the group expects will continue for at least the next 24 to 48 hours.

"Our top priorities remain the safety and well-being of our colleagues and our neighbors here in Napa County and in the surrounding areas also facing similar challenges," the statement continued. "Our hearts and condolences go out to the hundreds who have lost their homes, businesses and personal property. We are saddened by the news that there has been loss of life and pray that those numbers will remain small."

Complicating matters, the fires occurred in the midst of Napa Valley's harvest season.

"However, we estimate that 90 percent of the grapes were picked before the fires started on Sunday night," Napa Valley Vintners said. "Wineries able to assemble crews and safely get to their vineyards are continuing to harvest grapes."

"It is too soon to tell how the fires and related challenges will impact this year’s vintage overall," the statement continued. "What we do know is that of the grapes remaining on the vine, it is almost all Cabernet Sauvignon. Our winemakers report that this thick-skinned variety, fully-developed and ready to be picked for the 2017 harvest, is not expected to be impacted by the smoke from the fires."

"No matter the circumstances, our winemakers remain committed to upholding Napa Valley’s reputation for making some of the world’s finest wines and they will do everything possible to ensure the highest quality winemaking for the rest of the 2017 vintage."

The Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund, which was established in 2014 immediately following the South Napa earthquake, has been reactivated. The Community Foundation plans to begin distributing funds to those in need in the coming days, Napa Valley Vintners said.

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Photo: Grape vines sit among the scorched ground ot the Robert Sinskey Vineyard, Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, in Napa, Calif. Wildfires whipped by powerful winds swept through Northern California sending resident on a headlong flight to safety through smoke and flames as homes burned. (Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press)