My love of wine notwithstanding, winemakers are, at their core, farmers. I grew up farming; I know how hard it is, how much blood, sweat, tears, and love are in those vines, in that land. My heart aches for all they've lost, for loved ones lost, and for everyone in Oregon, Washington, Montana, as well for they have so much more at stake than my parents who used to grow crops simply to feed us.
At least 10 people have died and at least 1,500 homes, businesses and other structures have been destroyed as more than 14 fires ravaged eight counties throughout Northern California on Monday, authorities said.
The Tubbs fire near Santa Rosa has burned more than 35,000 acres as of 6:40 a.m., Napa County Supervisor Diane Dillon said during a televised news conference Monday morning. Officials said the other large fire in Napa County — Atlas Peak — has reached 25,000 acres.
Multiple wildfires spread across large portions of Napa and Sonoma counties overnight, forcing thousands from their homes, burning dozens of structures and scorching tens of thousands of acres. Signorello Estate Winery was destroyed, with dozens of other wineries and vineyards threatened, including Chimney Rock, William Hill and Darioush. Some buildings at Stags' Leap Winery were destroyed. Hundreds of guests were evacuated from the Silverado Resort as flames approached the buildings.
The Tubbs fire, which began near Calistoga in northern Napa Valley, exploded from 200 acres to nearly 20,000 acres in a matter of hours, moving into Sonoma County, where it damaged vineyards in the Fountaingrove District area, Sonoma’s newest appellation. (As of 1:30 am Pacific Time, Cal Fire reported that it had reached 25,000 acres.)
"Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.” -King T'Challa, Black Panther
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it. ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is. ~Winston Churchill
