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Wineries and Vineyards Destroyed so far by Wild fires

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Posted on October 15, 2017 at 01:13:07
Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 15703
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005
 In September, my wife and I toured wineries in the Anderson, Alexander, and Northern parts of the Sonoma and Napa Valleys. This map shows that much of the damage has been in the South of the Napa Valley.

Of all the places we visited, we found the Anderson and Alexander Valleys to be the most enchanting for scenery and least touristy as far as accommodations are concerned. As a sidelight, the town of Mendocino has seen more tourist infrastructure since we visited it, perhaps 7 years ago. But it is still not over the top.

 

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The biggest problem now..., posted on October 24, 2017 at 21:27:15
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 38130
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
 ...is that people coming in from outside the area think the whole Napa Valley burned and they can't come there.

Only one winery was lost and a few were damaged so not much has changed.

They need your business so come taste in Napa!

 

RE: Wineries and Vineyards Destroyed so far by Wild fires, posted on October 15, 2017 at 19:36:36
triodesteve
Audiophile

Posts: 803
Location: Walla Walla Washington
Joined: September 4, 2001
 I'm not trying to sound like a jerk, but wineries are heavily insured. Most will rebuild and insurance companies will write large checks for the damaged wine (usually at full retail)

I am friends with many in the wine community on FB...people I really don't even know. I've seen lots of pics of empty lots where their homes used to stand. The wine business like any other is about people.
And people are going to struggle. Its tough to see first hand.

I also bet you will see lawsuits where wineries are trying to stop insurance companies form putting the "damaged" wine on the market to try and recoup costs.

 

RE: Wineries and Vineyards Destroyed so far by Wild fires, posted on October 24, 2017 at 11:05:59
6bq5
Audiophile

Posts: 4394
Location: SF Bay
Joined: August 16, 2001
 While the business are insured, as well as many of the homes-
For the wineries what was lost can not often be bought-

a year +, harvested, fermented and in barrels

A vineyard where the fire destroyed the vines- it may never be re-planted, it will never yield the same fruit

People who were hanging on, will take the loss and leave - trying to escape the ever increasing spiral of cost

I know a small winery that will end up with two vintages from a vineyard, but not a third, as the vines are now ash - a new label- this will be hard on them-
Happy Listening

 

RE: Wineries and Vineyards Destroyed so far by Wild fires, posted on October 25, 2017 at 07:26:55
triodesteve
Audiophile

Posts: 803
Location: Walla Walla Washington
Joined: September 4, 2001
 I guess it depends. I am insured at full retail value. Anything that happens (I better check my policy) and I am given a check for what that wine would have sold for. I suppose not everyone has the same coverage...I really don't know.

As to the vineyard, why wouldn't it yield the same fruit? And I also assume everyone has crop insurance. Again an assumption based on what we do here. Crop insurance is never 100% reimbursed but it does help.

As a side note. A winemaker from an affected winery was here and explaining that they had to walk away form the winery for a few days ( I don't know how long) When they came back and finished fermenting they discovered the resulting wine was so good that they are thinking about implementing the idea as standard protocol next year (the leaving the tank alone part...not the fire) Every time I think I actually know something about winemaking I realize I don't!

 

Back in the 10/1991 Oakland Hills fire..., posted on October 17, 2017 at 09:51:43
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 38130
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
 ...where over 2000 homes burned, pretty much everyone was insured there, too.

Many had to sue their insurance companies to get paid.

 

RE: Wineries and Vineyards Destroyed so far by Wild fires, posted on October 16, 2017 at 11:24:41
Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 15703
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005
 Good to know.

 

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