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The Pickett Fire, burning just outside Calistoga in Napa County, as of August 26, 2025, has scorched more than 6,800 acres since it started on August 21, 2025. Over 2,000 fire personnel remain on the scene, working with helicopters, engines, and bulldozers to contain the blaze. While some evacuations have been lifted, others remain in effect as the fire sits at just 17% containment. 

Officials report that much of the fire’s footprint overlaps with the 2020 Glass Fire burn scar. Even so, the current blaze continues to generate heavy smoke, raising alarms for one of Napa Valley's most important industries: wine production. 

Napa County is home to world-renowned vineyards and wineries, but its location also places it at high risk when wildfires strike. One of the most significant threats during a wildfire is smoke taint, a condition that occurs when compounds from wildfire smoke cling to grape skins and later produce harsh, ashy, or burnt flavors in wine. 

Even if flames never touch a vineyard, drifting smoke can be enough to compromise an entire crop. Because the Pickett Fire ignited during late August, a critical period known as veraison, when grapes ripen and soften, the risk of smoke taint is especially high. Just a few hours of dense smoke exposure during this stage can alter the chemistry of the fruit, creating long-term problems for wineries. 

Red wine producers are particularly vulnerable, since their wines are fermented with grape skins. Once tainted compounds bind to the fruit, they are nearly impossible to remove, leaving winemakers with unsellable or heavily devalued wine. 

Potential Consequences for Vineyard Owners and Wineries

The economic toll of smoke taint can be devastating:

• Entire harvests may need to be abandoned
• Contracts with distributors or retailers can be lost 
• Estate-grown brands risk long-term damage to their reputation
• Costs rise due to testing, mitigation, and halted production
• Future income may decline if vineyards suffer lasting damage

These losses are often compounded by the fact that smoke taint isn’t always detectable until months later, sometimes only after fermentation is complete. By then, the investment in time and labor has already been made, multiplying the financial hit. 

Legal Options Available For Businesses Impacted by Smoke Taint Caused by the Pickett Fire

For many vineyard owners and winemakers, smoke taint threatens more than a single harvest; it can jeopardize contracts, damage reputation, and create financial uncertainty. Insurance policies often exclude or limit coverage for smoke-related losses, leaving businesses unsure how they will recover. 

If your vineyard or winery has been affected by the Pickett Fire, compensation may be available for:

• Loss of grapes or harvest due to smoke taint
• Damage to vineyard property, equipment, or facilities
• Business interruption and lost profits
• Testing, storage, and mitigation costs
• Loss of future income tied to reputation or long-term vineyard damage

Depending on the fire’s cause, several parties may ultimately bear responsibility. In past wildfire cases, utilities, government agencies, and other third parties have been held liable when negligence contributed to the outbreak or spread of fire. Establishing who is at fault is often the first step in pursuing recovery for wildfire-related losses. 

How Singleton Schreiber Can Help

At Singleton Schreiber, we’ve seen firsthand how devastating wildfire damage can be for agricultural businesses in Napa Valley and across California. We know the challenges vineyard owners face, from protecting their harvests and brands to keeping their businesses afloat during uncertain times. 

If your vineyard or winery has suffered losses from smoke taint or other fire-related damage in the Pickett Fire, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Contact Singleton Schreiber today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your options and learn how we can help protect your livelihood and future.