Lodi wineries help out Napa, Sonoma counterparts

While Lodi wineries recently banded together to help collect and transport donated goods to individuals displaced by the wildfires in Napa and Sonoma counties, some have also taken their own measures to help wineries that have been affected by the fires.

LangeTwins Winery, for example, helped to process grapes for Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville, according to LangeTwins’ President Marissa Lange, who explained that LangeTwins received the fruit last Monday, not long after the fires broke out.

“When the fires broke out, we, like everyone, reached out to our friends, family and colleagues to let them know that we were ready to do anything we can to help. Francis Ford Coppola Winery’s winemaker reached out to our winemaker, and they redirected fruit to us that had just been harvested,” Lange said.

The grapes from Coppola Winery have already been processed, Lange explained, and the juice is currently fermenting, to be delivered as soon as the Sonoma County winery is ready to receive it.

Lodi Vintners, the oldest winery in Lodi, according to its website, has also stepped up to help with fire relief efforts by donating all of its tasting room fees for the remainder of October to Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake County Fire Relief, according to Lodi Vintners Manager Dennis Fagundes. Although the fee is usually waived when guests purchase one or more bottles of

wine, he said, the tasting room will keep the fee in place for the rest of the month.

“I used to manage tasting rooms in Napa, so I feel compelled to do this. The owners are from Napa, so they feel compelled to do this, as well,” Fagundes said.

Fortunately for many of Napa and Sonoma’s wineries, as well as grape growers in Lodi who do business with them, the majority of wineries in the wildfire areas have not been severely damaged or destroyed, according to Vino Farms’ Vice President Craig Ledbetter.

Some wineries have even continued their operations during the fires, Ledbetter said, although people have had difficulties getting there. Grapes in Napa and Sonoma counties will still be harvested this year, and although grapes from Lodi are not yet able to reach the wineries in those areas, he expects that they will be soon.

“At the end of the day, this fire isn’t going to have much of an effect on the winegrape economy,” Ledbetter said.