Phil Sunseri thanked California fire department Tuesday afternoon after they were reportedly able to save his family’s 130-year-old Napa Valley winery from a fast-moving wildfire that came within the company’s feet and at least one building on the property. destroyed.
The Hennessey fire, one of several wildfires in Northern California, was started Monday by lightning. It had exploded to more than 10,000 acres and the Nichelini Family Winery was in its path Tuesday, according to KPIX-TV in San Francisco.
Flames engulfed a closet inside the Nichelini Family Winery complex on Tuesday as firefighters worked to save the business. However, the main building of the wine cellar was still standing Tuesday night, according to KPIX.
RECORD-BREAKING HEAT BAKES WEST, RAISES WILDFIRE FINGERS ARE NEW 42 MILLION UNDER EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNINGS
Flames are consuming a cabin at Nichelini Family Winery in unincorporated Napa County as the Hennessey Fire burns on Tuesday, August 18, 2020. A family member of the winemaker said they spent 10 hours Monday renovating the cabin foundation. Fire crews in the region crawled to contain dozens of flares that were blown up by lightning strikes as a statewide heat wave continues. (AP Photo / Noah Berger)
“It’s a miracle,” Sunseri told KGO-TV in San Francisco. The building is made of oven-dried redwood. Who knew it could have survived when everything around it was destroyed? “He said.
Seven fires burning in Napa and Sonoma County, collectively known as the LNU Lightning Complex fires, have so far burned more than 32,000 acres, destroyed multiple structures and required evacuations from hundreds of homes, KPIX-TV in San Francisco reported.
“We prepare for fire every year,” Sunseri told KPIX. “The fire can be overwhelming. You just do the best you can. ”
The winery was built in 1890 and is the oldest continuous family winery in the region.
Chief winemaker Aimee Sunseri, daughter of Phi Sunseri, told the Napa Valley Register that the winemaker increased fire prevention efforts following the 2017 Atlas Fire area that burned more than 51,000 acres and killed 6 people.
The family renovated the house, where the first generation of Nichelini winemakers lived, just a few years ago.
“That’s the most expensive thing for us,” said Aimee Sunseri. “That we would be really sad to lose.” The house is a national historic landmark.
The family is also concerned about smoke contamination in the vineyard.
Aimee Sunseri told the Register that the family has not missed a harvest in 130 years. ‘It’s something we pass on to every generation – do not be the one who misses a harvest. We do not want to have to make that hard choice. ”
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As of Tuesday night, Hennessey Fire was at zero percent contained and arsonists continued to evacuate residents in its path.
