Wildfires Erupt Overnight in Californias Napa Wine Country Destroying Wineries

[offrdmania]

It looks as if some very historic and significant wineries have either suffered major damage or been destroyed early this morning by a fast moving wildfire.

San Jose Mercury News, Monday October 9

"Dozens of early Monday morning fires erupted across Northern California’s premier wine country, spreading quickly, fueled by high wind gusts. Residents evacuated at a moment’s notice and countless homes and businesses burned, among them many well-known wineries, restaurants and hotels.

Several wineries in Napa’s Stag’s Leap District, one of the valley’s premier cabernet sauvignon growing regions, have burned in the Atlas Fire, including Signorello Estates. NBC News showed video footage of the William Hill Estate Winery being consumed by flames. Areas under threat from the fires stretch from Northern Napa Valley, near Calistoga to Southern Napa along the Silverado Trail and Soda Canyon Road.

In Sonoma County, the fire reportedly has destroyed Willi’s Wine Bar, The Fountaingrove Inn and the Hilton Wine Country Hotel in Santa Rosa. In Glen Ellen and Kenwood, residents have reported that Chateau St. Jean and a local lavender field are gone. Locals also report that fires are burning Kenwood and Kunde wineries, while others note fire fighting efforts to try to save B.R. Cohn. The fire also appears to be close to Benziger winery.

A blaze on a Sonoma Valley ridge threatens nearby wineries, including Scribe and Gundlach Bundschu. The nearby Moon Mountain district, where wineries and vineyards are on steep, remote hillsides, are also at risk."