NAPA AND SONOMA WILDFIRE 10-9-2017 UPDATE: SHOULD YOU STILL COME? IS IT SAFE?
Local Wally
READ LATEST UPDATE HERE: NAPA VALLEY AFTER THE WILDFIRES OF 2017
OCTOBER 14TH UPDATE: The skies are blue, the air is good, the worst is over. If you are planning a trip the week of Oct 15th just make sure you call the wineries to verify they are open. But don't postpone or change your trip! Napa is nearly back to normal and we look forward to seeingyou!
ATTENTION NAPA VISITORS: A huge devastating wildfire is moving through Napa, mainly on the Silverado Trail side. Some wineries have been rumored to be destroyed, hundreds of people evacuated. The fires in Sonoma continue to rage out of control as well. This is a significant and dangerous fire, now considered to be California's deadliest fire in its history.
Photo: Elizabeth Weise. The area just south of Napa and Sonoma.
UPDATE 10-13: Fires still active and air quality very poor, I would avoid visiting Napa or Sonoma until at least next week. A number of wineries and the Napa Wine Train are predicting they will be back in operation on Monday. If you were planning on visiting this weekend I would still reschedule. If your plans have you here next week there is hope your trip will be OK, especially if later in the week. They are predicting higher winds again this weekend which could fuel the fire so everyone pray that this gets under control quickly.
UPDATE 10-12: My advice? I would try to reschedule if you are coming in this week. Fires are still pretty much out of control with the Silverado Trail area severely impacted. I heard Cakebread is planning to reopen this Sunday and some wineries along Highway 29 are now open but the air quality is not great. Signorello Winery is completely burned down, though their vines are safe and unscathed. As of this morning the entire town of Calistoga has been evacuated This is a serious fire so think twice before coming and try to reschedule if you can. Most locals are suggesting it will be a week before things return back to normal.
If you are planning on coming later this Fall when the fires are out you should reach out to me and let me help you pick or re-pick your winery visits. I can help route you to wineries who have had less impact as well as wineries who really need your business to rebound. Napa is a small community made of up locals who appreciate your business so if we all pitch in we can get through this.
Wally
Should you still come? Is it safe to visit Napa during the Fire?
I would strongly reconsider a wine tasting day in Napa this week. Though some the wineries along Highway 29 are still open the air quality is poor and the threat of fire very real. However, the best source will be your hotel - call them for updates if you are planning on visiting this week. And call the wineries you plan to visit. Many are closed or have partial staff.
How About that Agenda You did for Me?
If I gave you an agenda you might want to reach out to me as my picks might be very different due to the fire - even after it is put out and things return to normal. I've been told that a number of my favorite wineries have been impacted so you will want to check with me to make sure they are still open for business before you arrive.
More to come - Local Wally