Photo: Mercopress.com — *Photo:* *Mercopress.com*

Once again, wildfires in California are blazing, with no end in sight, and the stories and photos coming from Napa and Sonoma and beyond are truly heartbreaking. Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes and workplaces, not knowing what, if anything, they will find when they return. 2020 was already a tough year economically, due to the pandemic shutting down tasting rooms, and now those who call the wine country “home” are faced with more devastation.

The Glass Fire, which broke out in Napa early Sunday morning, is only 2% contained, and scores of homes and businesses have been damaged or destroyed. Fairwinds Winery, Chateau Boswell, and Cain Winery, have completely burnt to the ground while many others, like Tuck Beckstoffer Vineyards, Sterling Vineyards, Castello di Amorosa, and Newton Vineyard, have sustained significant damage. And with the fires still going at full speed, much of the damage has yet to be assessed. Michael Mann, chief executive of WineCountry Media, a tourism and e-commerce company, told the New York Times that “Most winery owners are trying to figure out if their properties are still there.”

Prior to the ignition of the Glass Fire, other wildfires had raged across California’s wine country beginning in August, typically the start of harvest. Several wineries whose buildings remained out of harm’s way are now dealing with smoke taint in the vineyards, many having lost their entire crop of grapes.

Craig Becker, co-founder, general manager and director of viticulture and winemaking of Somerston Estate in St Helena, announced that they will forgo the 2020 vintage due smoke damage from the Hennessey wildfire which began on August 17th. “It’s been a tough year for all of us,” says Becker, referring to the impact on business due to the pandemic.

And now, with the wildfires, it seems like California winemakers cannot catch a break. “We winegrowers are farmers,” says Becker, “and that means that mother nature is our friend and our enemy, and the fires have added a new level of drama, stress, and sadness.”

Somerston Estate, before the fires. Photo: Lisa Denning — **Somerston Estate, before the fires.** *Photo: Lisa Denning*

Winemaker Craig Becker, second from left, with Somerston’s winemaking team. Photo: Somerston Estate — **Winemaker Craig Becker, second from left, with Somerston’s winemaking team.** *Photo: Somerston Estate*

What You Can Do To Help

While our thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims of the wildfires, more needs to be done. There are many trustworthy organizations accepting donations to help victims. Check out your favorite charities at GuideStar or Charity Navigator. Below are additional resources helping those in need.

The American Red Cross and The United Way of Northern California, as well as the Napa Valley Disaster Relief Fund and the Sonoma County Resilience Fund are providing aid to wildfire victims.
The Wine Country Fire Relief Fund, a GoFundMe campaign set up by five industry professionals, is providing essential needs for victims.

Following are three additional organizations, recommended by wine and travel writers Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jensson, also known as the World Wine Guys.

Puertas Abiertas Community Resource Center is helping members of the Latino community — migrant workers who had arrived in wine country to help pick the grapes.
California Fire Foundation provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters and the communities they protect. Their program brings immediate, short-term relief to victims of fire or other natural disasters. Through the distribution of gift cards in the amount of $250, the recipients are able to purchase basic necessities such as medicine, food or clothing.
Community Action Partnership of Sonoma provides aid to lower income members of the community, many who have not had work for months due to Covid, and now because of the fires.