NOW is the Time to be in the Wine Country

The wildfires were national news, and deserved to be. Fire devastation leaves its own peculiar mark on the landscape, hopping over a house or vineyard here and there, but scorching everything in its path a few feet away. There's plenty of it to see in Northern California's wine country. But that's not the reason to go. All of northern California pitched in to provide emergency services and shelter - America is right to be proud of the continued generosity of the people and organizations there.

Though visitors can see the devastation from Highway 101, Rte.12 around Sonoma, and many major roads through the area, what can also be seen are dozens of "We're Open" signs at almost all wineries, shops and restaurants, interspersed with "Thank you, First Responders" hand-made signs everywhere.

The locals there are making a point to patronize their own, but let's face it: Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Lake Counties - those hardest hit - rely on visitors from out of town to survive.  And now they REALLY need to see your smiling faces.

This is also the time to buy wine, since what's available are last year's whites and reds from excellent years preceding the big burn. Many vineyards have been saved post-harvest (that is, they were harvested and processed before the fire), so the wine industry in this beautiful area will go on.

If your heart was touched by the enormous losses suffered by so many in this area, the thing to do is GO. Taste wine. Stay in a gorgeous spa/hotel. Know that your contribution is a blessing for the thousands of residents and businesses that make the wine country home.  Be part of Sonoma Strong.