TWE assesses damage from California wine country wildfires

The fate of some of Treasury Wine Estates' vineyards remains uncertain after wildfires swept through the Napa Valley and Sonoma.

Tens of thousands of acres of wine country have been devastated by the fires, with at least 15 deaths and 1500 structures lost.

TWE has seven wineries - including Chateau St Jean and Stag's Leap - and at least 46 vineyards in the area. The company has informed the ASX that about 90% of its grapes had already been harvested.

“There remains just over 10 per cent of our total vintage to be picked in Napa/Sonoma,” the company said.

Smoke taint affecting the grapes still to be picked is likely to be a major issue for the wine industry once the fires are contained. 

TWE also told the ASX that based on what it currently knows, "there is limited damage" to its infrastructures and sites. However, the company is experiencing difficulty accessing its assets in the region.

There have been media reports that buildings at Stags' Leap Winery have been destroyed and photographs taken by firefighters show smoke billowing around Chateau St Jean (above). The brand manager for the label has reported there is little direct damage to the historic chateau itself. 

The winery toll

According to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle by wine writer Esther Mobley: "The long-term consequences of a disastrous event that could affect the supply of grapes, the quality of the region’s wines and the local tourism industries for years to come."

She noted that if vines need to be replanted it could be years before wineries are able to produce a new vintage.

"When vineyards are planted, it can take three to five years for them to bear fruit."

As for if existing wine barrels have burned, "most Napa and Sonoma wineries hold at least three vintages of wine in barrel at any given time, not to mention the large inventory of bottles that many wineries hold back for years.”

Signorello Estate Winery has been confirmed as destroyed, as has Nicholson Ranch in Sonoma and Frey Vineyards, a pioneer in organic and biodynamic wines, in Mendocino County’s Redwood Valley.

A statement released by William Hill Estate Winery owner E. & J. Gallo said: “William Hill sustained only minor cosmetic and landscaping damage, in addition to minimal vineyard damage.”

Paradise Ridge Winery in Sonoma burned down on Monday. The Byck family who owns the property posted on the Paradise Ridge Facebook page: “Our hearts go out to all who have lost their homes and businesses We are strong and will rebuild.”

The Redwood Valley fire claimed the small, family-owned Golden Vineyards and Oster Wine Cellars.

Many wineries remain under threat, including singer Dave Matthews’ Dreaming Tree in Geyserville in northern Sonoma.
Chimney Rock Winery winemaker Elizabeth Vianna told The Mercury News: “We believe the winery is OK. It (the fire) is fairly distant from the back hills. I will know more today. All our employees are safe and accounted for.”

Vin Roc owner and winemaker Michael Parmenter said: “We had to evacuate late Sunday night. Fire still out of control Monday. Spending a second night in a hotel. Praying our property is OK.”

A staff member confirmed that White Rock Vineyards, whose Soda Canyon area winery was first established in 1870,  was gone.

In Santa Rosa’s Bennett Valley, a night pick was already in progress at Carlisle Winery when evacuation orders came through. The workers harvested grapes in smoke until around 5am. 
“They got it mostly picked, and then had to evacuate,” said Carlisle owner Mike Officer. 

The Wine Institute, the trade body for Californian wine issued a statement on the fires: "Multiple wildfires spread across large portions of Napa and Sonoma counties Sunday night and early Monday morning, forcing thousands from their homes, burning hundreds of structures and scorching over 30,000 hectares. Several wineries were destroyed including Signorelli and there was significant damage to both Darioush and Stag's Leap, who lost some buildings.

"The two largest blazes are in Napa Valley's eastern hills, near Atlas Peak, and in the northern part of Sonoma's city of Santa Rosa where the damage looks urban rather than rural but far more destructive. Smoke taint issues will be discussed in the aftermath of this but hopefully this should be minimal as luckily harvest was nearly complete. Long term damage to vineyards might take longer to ascertain."

, “Depending on how widespread the destruction of vines is across Wine Country, it could mark a severe shortage of grapes for years to come.