Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Packaged Travel
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Air
  • Training & Resources
  • Who We Are
    • Brian Israel
    • Briana Bonfiglio
    • Candace Protzman
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Dori Saltzman
    • Jennifer Arango
    • Kelly Fontenelle
    • Louis Intreglia
    • Tom McCarthy

Northern California’s Wine Country Destroyed by Historic Wildfires

by Jessica Montevago / October 11, 2017
Northern California’s Wine Country Destroyed by Historic Wildfires

Atlas Fire in Napa County. Photo: Cal Fire/CphilpottCraig


Wildfires raged across more than 100,000 acres of Northern California’s wine country, killing at least 17 people and burning hundreds of structures to the ground last weekend.

More than a dozen fires, which began Sunday, moved across nine counties at speeds faster than 50 miles an hour.

The heart of wine country, Napa and Sonoma counties, are some of the worst affected by the fires. The region attracts millions of tourists to its wineries and vineyards each year and generates about $114 billion in annual economic activity, according to the Wine Institute.

The blaze destroyed more than 2,000 homes and businesses, according to California fire officials, forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate. The Tubbs fire near Santa Rosa burned more than 35,000 acres, Napa County Supervisor Diane Dillon said during a news conference on Monday. Officials said the other large fire in Napa County, Atlas Peak, has reached 25,000 acres.

Videos posted on social media and news outlets show buildings completely engulfed in flames, including the 250-room Hilton Hotel in Sonoma County.

Santa Rosa's Hilton Sonoma hotel among dozens of burned businesses. #TubbsFire pic.twitter.com/tp8RZebSBw

— Kurtis Alexander (@kurtisalexander) October 9, 2017

At least four wineries in Napa have suffered total or significant losses and nine reported some damage, according to trade association Napa Valley Vintners. A full assessment of the damage may take days, as many owners are unable to get back to their properties as the fires continue to burn. The Visit Napa Valley website has a list of closed and open properties, including hotels, wineries, and restaurants.

“At this time, we are still assessing the specific damage to Sonoma County vineyards as well as to our communities and neighbors. Reports of fire damage to wineries, businesses and homes continue to grow,” said Karissa Kruse, president of Sonoma County Winegrowers.

The historic White Rock Vineyards in the southern foothills of the Stag’s Leap range reportedly lost its family winery in the fire, which has been owned by the Vandendriessche Family since 1870.

The luxury Fountaingrove Inn in Santa Rosa “fell victim to the devastating fire in Sonoma County,” according to a message general manager Justin Hayman posted on Facebook.

In Kenwood, the Chateau St. Jean is currently closed, according to its website. At the center of the Sonoma Valley estate is a two-story, 3550-square-foot historic home built in the 1920s.

In a statement, Marriott International said none of its hotels are currently at risk, “however, some hotels are temporarily not accepting new reservations as a result of poor air quality and/or reduced hotel services.”

Other businesses are closed due to fire-related power outages, like the French Laundry restaurant in Yountville, according to its Facebook page.

  0
  0
Related Articles
New Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Is Now Open
Magic Castle Conjurer’s Cruise to Set Sail in October
Los Angeles Hotel Workers Strike Starts
VEA Newport Beach to Reopen in the Spring After Top-to-Bottom Remake
Sonoma County is Open for Tourism
Alaska Airlines Expands West Coast Service
Travel Advisor Community Makes Final Push for California Labor Bill
Alaska Airlines Announces New Flight Service from San Luis Obispo
Canada Issues Travel Warning After Earthquakes Hit California
Northern California Slowly Getting Back to Business After Historic Fires

MOST VIEWED

  1. FAA Issues Nationwide Ground Stop for United Airlines Flights
  2. Maui Fires Update: Which Hotels and Resorts Are Open and Closed After Lahaina Fires
  3. Southwest Airlines Strike Seems Imminent
  4. Hurricane Lee's Uncertain Path Raises Some Travel Concerns
  5. Hurricane Lee Intensifies to Category 5: Caribbean and U.S. Impact Uncertain
  6. Hurricane Lee Update: Storm Poses Threat to New England and Atlantic Canada


  1. Tropical Storm Lee Could Hit the Caribbean this Weekend
  2. Royal Caribbean Monitoring Haiti Violence
  3. Updated Cruise Line COVID-19 Vaccination, Booster, & Testing Requirements
  4. Celebrity Cruises Removes Gratuities from "All Included" Pricing
  5. Hurricane Lee Forecast to Rapidly Strengthen into the Weekend
  6. Delta Air Lines Makes Major Changes to SkyMiles Status and Sky Club Access Rules
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
TourRadar Intros New FIT Quote Feature for Advisors
TourRadar Intros New FIT Quote Feature for Advisors

"We identified that missing FIT capabilities were a barrier preventing some agents from booking with the platform..."

Read...
10 Common Questions Travel Advisors Have About Booking and Planning Safaris
10 Common Questions Travel Advisors Have About Booking and Planning Safaris

TMR passes your safari planning questions on to operators for their expert answers. 

Read...
Exodus Travels Rebrands as Exodus Adventure Travels
Exodus Travels Rebrands as Exodus Adventure Travels

Exodus Travels is rebranding to make it clear where its focus lies... 

Read...
What You Need to Know About Booking 2024 Official Olympic Travel Packages
What You Need to Know About Booking 2024 Official Olympic Travel Packages

On Location is the official hospitality provider for the Olympic Games.

Read...
Collette Launches New Travel Advisor Reward Program
Collette Launches New Travel Advisor Reward Program

Collette is rolling out a new travel advisor reward program that provides discounts on personal travel. 

Read...
Island Routes Offers Advisor Cash Incentive
Island Routes Offers Advisor Cash Incentive

At the same time, the company is offering guests a buy one tour, get a second one at 20% off promo. 

Read...
TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
European Travel Trends 2023 Outlook
CP White Paper 1
Cruise Trend Outlook 2023
View All
industry insider
industry-insider.jpg
//services.travelsavers.com/AMGService.svc/REST/GetImage?ImageID=e6640f25-695d-ee11-92d0-005056a8720b
Why Travel Advisors Shouldn't Worry About Artificial Intelligence
Advertiser's Voice
//services.travelsavers.com/AMGService.svc/REST/GetImage?ImageID=b9003415-3a5d-ee11-92d0-005056a8720b
Travel Agent Education Powered by Avoya
About Travel Market Report Mission Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events Outlook/Whitepapers Previous Sponsored Articles Previous This Week Articles
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
News |Packaged Travel |Cruise |Hotels & Resorts |Destinations |Retail Strategies |Niche & Luxury |Air |Training & Resources |Who We Are
© 2005 - 2023 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy