Sep 29, 2020
Napa, California, wineries destroyed, damaged in Glass Fire

Flames from Napa Valley’s Glass Fire, which exploded overnight, Sept. 28, were tearing through parts of a world-class tourist destination, incinerating at least one winery, damaging another and threatening still others.

According to a story by the Mercury News in San Jose, California, A family-owned winery along the Silverado Trail, Chateau Boswell, was destroyed, photographs from the scene showed. And reports were circulating Monday on social media that others went up in flames, but there was no immediately confirmation of other losses. Some winery owners reportedly were still waiting to see if their properties survived, and may not have updates until Tuesday.

In Calistoga, the blaze devoured the farmhouse building at Castello di Amorosa, the massive Tuscan-style castle and winery built by vintner Darryl Sattui, confirmed Jim Sullivan, vice president of marketing and public relations for the winery. However, the castle, 200 yards away, did not sustain any damage.

According to the Mercury News story:

The building that was destroyed was a production facility, so the loss includes Castello bottling operations, fermentation tanks, a laboratory and bottles of wine.

Two resort properties — Meadowood and Calistoga Ranch — sustained significant damage. Representatives for Meadowood confirmed that numerous buildings on the 250-ace property had been lost, and state Sen. Bill Dodd tweeted photos of the destruction at Calistoga Ranch.

The Napa County Office of Emergency Services said 64 wineries sit within the evacuation or evacuation warning areas.

Two photographers – from Getty Images and the Associated Press — photographed firefighters battling the Chateau Boswell blaze. The boutique winery on the Silverado Trail was founded in 1979 by Richard Thornton Boswell and remains in Boswell family hands.

Representatives of a nearby winery on the trail, Failla Wine Co., on Monday afternoon said new information confirmed that their property sustained only minor damage. The structure itself, a 1930s yellow farmhouse, was not affected.

Napa Valley is home to more than 400 wineries and tasting rooms, according to Visit Napa Valley, the region’s tourism organization. The wine and tourism industries are the county’s No. 1 and No. 2 industries, respectively. In 2018, more than 3.85 million people visited the region, pouring $2.23 billion into the local economy.

For the complete San Jose Mercury News story, visit here.




Current Issue

On-farm AI: Water, farm, labor research guide decisions

Data collection tool expands farm management

Carmel Valley winegrapes: Parsonage Village Vineyard

IFTA Yakima Valley tour provides orchard insights

IFTA recognizes tree fruit honorees

Pennsylvania recognizes fruit industry professionals

Fresh Views 40 Under 40

see all current issue »

Be sure to check out our other specialty agriculture brands

produceprocessingsm Organic Grower