Napa Valley California OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
The wildfires of California devastated its wine country — in many ways. And sadly, one of those devastations is entirely preventable. In the wake of the 2017 fire disaster, many have canceled their travel plans on visiting Wine Country..yet Napa Valley California is open for business! And this area needs visitors more than ever to support the rebuilding of their community. Read on for ways you can help!
The Napa Valley Needs Your Help!
California’s wine country is touched by so much love and support for the Napa Valley area following the recent fires that are nearly contained. The nightly news images of the devastation broadcasted around the world have given the impression that damage to wineries and vineyards was widespread. It was not, according to a press release from V. Sauttui Wintery, and Napa Valley California is OPEN for business.
The impression left by the graphic images of the fire and destruction have caused many to cancel plans on visiting Wine Country. The perception of devastation in the Napa Valley is greater than reality.
The Facts about Napa Valley and the 2017 Wildfires
- Of the nearly 500 wineries in the Napa Valley, only 7 wineries were severely damaged or lost.
- Damage to vineyards was very minimal, as vineyards make effective fire breaks and 90% of crop was picked prior to the fires.
- The fires burned predominantly in the forested hills and the well-known wineries situated between Hwy 29 and Silverado were nearly untouched by fire.
- And yes, the Napa Valley wine train is running.
In the Wake of the Fire Disaster
- Innkeepers reporting that most reservations in the next month have been canceled
- Tour Operators reporting mass cancellations
- Wineries and restaurants are seeing a fraction of the number of visitors that are usually here during the harvest season.
- No traffic.The traffic that many locals complain about is nonexistent. Roads are empty.
- Many of the victims of the disaster are experiencing a double disaster for lack of work and or layoffs due to lack of business.
Napa Valley California is OPEN for Business!
“Napa Valley needs VISITORS more than ever to support the rebuilding their community,” says V. Sattui Winery. “That will be accomplished by putting everyone back to work by visiting our wineries, drinking our wines, staying in our hotels and eating in our restaurants. Our economy is based on wine tourism.”
FACTS about Napa Valley:
- 3.5 million visitors annually to the Napa Valley
- Visitor spending annually in Napa Valley – $1.9 billion
- Jobs supported by the Napa Valley Visitor industry – 13,437
- The tourism industry generated over $47 million in TOT (transient occupancy tax) revenue to fund essential services and programs throughout Napa County
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
Tourism is the lifeblood of the Napa Valley community. The Road to Recovery is only possible by visitors returning to Wine Country. Virtually every winery, restaurant, hotel, B&B, tour operator, and transportation company is open for business.
Tell everyone you know that Napa Valley California is OPEN FOR BUSINESS. And share on social media — Facebook, Twitter, etc! This needs to be reinforced now and over the next weeks and months!
Even if you can’t support by traveling to the Napa Valley, you can support them by ordering Napa Valley wine online or at your local liquor store.