December 2017 – In recent months we witnessed wildfires raging across Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino counties — the three counties that comprise the California’s north bay wine country. The five major fires in early October killed 39 people, destroyed over 8,000 structures (including homes), and incurred at least $3 billion in damage.
Yet despite those gruesome statistics, most of the region is just fine.
The fires consumed roughly 199,000 acres, or about 5.3% of the 3.7 million acres of land. The vast majority of the devastated area was rural or residential. Only three wineries destroyed. Less than 10 others received damage requiring them to close — of those that did close — all have reopened.
Rebuilding communities lost is the primary concern across the affected counties.
However, given the seeming inferno and press coverage wineries in the region are having a battle fighting the misconception that the entire region was lost.
For those looking for ways to help now that the immediate concern is past, wine country customers should return to their favorite wineries in the region. Wineries need the business, while their employees, and supporting businesses need the income to help them rebuild.
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