City of St. Helena (Napa Valley) under evacuation order and warning

[Auggie]

Order to evacuate extends west of Highway 29 and east of Silverado Trail.

MAP: https://arcg.is/05WKKK

This is quite dire. Those familiar with St. Helena know it is the heart of Napa Valley.

[Bluepinky]

1. So sad😟

[onecaliberal]

2. Best vines around.

[Brother Buzz]

3. Specifically, the best Cabernet Sauvignon, bar none

[onecaliberal]

4. So very sad.

[Brother Buzz]

5. Weird thing is they were right in the middle of the harvest

I have no clue what their plans are for dealing with this. Hell it could be a wash for all I know, but the vineyards on the valley floor should be fine; it's not uncommon for the small wineries to depot their rolling equipment in them. All bets are off the the small blocks of grapes shoehorned into the surrounding wooded hillsides.

My grandfather was born on Glass Mountain, and the family homestead burned in the 1890's, but their winery and vineyards on the valley floor were left unscathed, only to be ravished by phylloxera a few short years later. I coulda been a player.

[onecaliberal]

6. I know they will save everything they can. It will be tough on the hillsides.

I feel especially bad for the families who have had the vineyards for generations. I’m sure cal fire will do al it can to save the vines on the valley floor. Keeping positive thoughts.

[Auggie]

7. All vineyards are susceptible to smoke taint ...

just depends on the level of smoke particles in the air. Grapes have a waxy coating that can trap fine ash. Sometimes smoke taint can spotted right off. Other times it doesn't surface until after bottling. It's a crap shoot.

Vintners who harvested in early to mid-August -- Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, in particular -- will be okay.

[Brother Buzz]

8. Baron Philippe De Rothschild would tell you to just wash the grapes

I laugh because that was the FIRST argument Robert Mondavi had with Rothschild on their joint venture, Opus One. He wanted to wash the grapes prior to crushing. Mondavi was able to walk Rothschild back from the dark.

I suspect using dry cleaners solvent would be cost prohibitive.

[Auggie]

9. Sounds like something Trump would suggest