Photos Show Jaw-Dropping Devastation at Wineries Destroyed by the Glass Incident Fire

The Glass Incident Fire began on Sunday, September 27, and has since spread to over 60,148 acres across Napa and Sonoma counties. Along the way, it destroyed or damaged at least 23 restaurants, wineries, and resorts, and 28,835 other structures are currently under threat within the fire zone.

One of the wineries destroyed in the blaze is Castello Di Amorosa, a tourist destination in Calistoga known for its distinctive, medieval-castle-style main structure.

That castle survived, but its vast store of wine suffered a massive blow, as 120,000 bottles burned, a roughly $5 million loss.

In a letter posted to the winery’s website, owner Dario Sattui writes that “Castello di Amorosa sustained significant fire damage to the Farmhouse building, a separate 15,000 square foot building across the crush pad about 50 yards from the castle.”

“Flaming embers landed in the grass near Highway 29 creating a massive fire that ripped up the hill to the Farmhouse before I knew it,” Sattui writes. “My first response was to let our farm animals out of their pens, and then I raced to find a fire truck which responded quickly, but it was just too large a fire to handle.”

Hourglass Wines, a family-owned business with vineyards and St. Helena, lost its “Blueline” operation in the blaze. Writing on Instagram, the winery says that “We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and support - we can’t thank you enough. These fires are serious and far from under control.”

And then there’s the Restaurant at Meadowood. the 3-Michelin-Star restaurant that burned to the ground on Monday, September 28.

Speaking with the SF Chronicle, executive chef Christopher Kostow said “Everyone’s safe and well and we’ll be fine,” he said. But, he added, “It feels like someone’s died.”

“Most of the Fairwinds Winery and its Tasting Room has been very seriously damaged by the recent Napa Valley fires,” the Calistoga winery says on its website.

“We are pleased to report our people are all safe,” they write, saying that “We hope to get creative and find ways to show you our wines in some other way on the property soon.”

“We are pleased to report our people are all safe,” Fairwinds writes. “Our hearts go out to friends and neighbors, many of whom have lost their homes and all their belongings. This may change us, but it will not defeat us.”