<strong>California's wine country is open for business: </strong>The fall harvest season is traditionally a busy time of year for Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties, whose economies depend on visitors tasting their wine, booking their hotels and dining in their restaurants.
California's wine country is open for business: The fall harvest season is traditionally a busy time of year for Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties, whose economies depend on visitors tasting their wine, booking their hotels and dining in their restaurants.
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While three wineries were destroyed and others were damaged by smoke and fire, most are welcoming visitors as workers return to the vineyards to pick grapes.
While three wineries were destroyed and others were damaged by smoke and fire, most are welcoming visitors as workers return to the vineyards to pick grapes.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
<strong>Ledson Vineyards & Winery: </strong>The flames came close to Kenwood-based Ledson on October 14 but did not destroy it.
Ledson Vineyards & Winery: The flames came close to Kenwood-based Ledson on October 14 but did not destroy it.
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<strong>The doors are open: </strong>Owner Steve Ledson is back to welcoming guests back to his winery for tastings. People think "all of wine country has been burned to the ground," says Ledson. "That couldn't be farther from the truth."
The doors are open: Owner Steve Ledson is back to welcoming guests back to his winery for tastings. People think "all of wine country has been burned to the ground," says Ledson. "That couldn't be farther from the truth."
Courtesy Ledson
<strong>Paradise Ridge Winery: </strong>Although fire ripped through the buildings at Paradise Ridge in Santa Rosa, as seen by these charred fermentation tanks dripping wine, its vineyards were mostly spared. It's currently operating out of a satellite tasting room on Highway 12 in Kenwood.
Paradise Ridge Winery: Although fire ripped through the buildings at Paradise Ridge in Santa Rosa, as seen by these charred fermentation tanks dripping wine, its vineyards were mostly spared. It's currently operating out of a satellite tasting room on Highway 12 in Kenwood.
JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Hotel Healdsburg: </strong>Many visitors haven't gotten the message that wine country has re-opened. High-end properties like the Hotel Healdsburg (shown here) and its sister property, H2 Hotel, would normally be booked to capacity during this time of year. "This is supposed to be the busy season," said Circe Sher, a partner at both hotels.
Hotel Healdsburg: Many visitors haven't gotten the message that wine country has re-opened. High-end properties like the Hotel Healdsburg (shown here) and its sister property, H2 Hotel, would normally be booked to capacity during this time of year. "This is supposed to be the busy season," said Circe Sher, a partner at both hotels.
Courtesy Hotel Healdsburg
<strong>Lost reservations: </strong>Sher estimates that H2 Hotel (shown here) and Hotel Healdsburg have lost at least<strong> </strong>$500,000 in canceled hotel, restaurant and spa reservations. Some dates have been discounted 15-20% over last year's rates to attract visitors.
Lost reservations: Sher estimates that H2 Hotel (shown here) and Hotel Healdsburg have lost at least $500,000 in canceled hotel, restaurant and spa reservations. Some dates have been discounted 15-20% over last year's rates to attract visitors.
Courtesy h2hotel
<strong>Raising money for relief:</strong> Despite the economic impact of lost visits, the wineries that escaped damage are pitching in raise money for those hit hard by the fires. Reeve Wines in Healdsburg raised more than $220,000 through a raffle publicized by word of mouth.
Raising money for relief: Despite the economic impact of lost visits, the wineries that escaped damage are pitching in raise money for those hit hard by the fires. Reeve Wines in Healdsburg raised more than $220,000 through a raffle publicized by word of mouth.
Courtesy Reeve Wines
<strong>Stronger together: </strong>"We have witnessed beautiful acts of bravery, generosity and the best part of the human spirit in our community," said Reeve co-owner Noah Dorrance.
Stronger together: "We have witnessed beautiful acts of bravery, generosity and the best part of the human spirit in our community," said Reeve co-owner Noah Dorrance.
Courtesy Reeve Wines
<strong>Astro Motel: </strong>Hotels in the region offered free or discounted rooms to evacuees and first responders when rooms became available. The Astro, which wasn't scheduled to open until after October 27, was one of them.
Astro Motel: Hotels in the region offered free or discounted rooms to evacuees and first responders when rooms became available. The Astro, which wasn't scheduled to open until after October 27, was one of them.
Courtesy Bob Stender
<strong>Valette:</strong> Chef Dustin Valette and general manager Aaron Garzini, partners at Valette restaurant in Healdsburg, worked with other Sonoma County chefs to feed first responders.
Valette: Chef Dustin Valette and general manager Aaron Garzini, partners at Valette restaurant in Healdsburg, worked with other Sonoma County chefs to feed first responders.
Courtesy Valette