For most Napa Valley vintners, the end of August brought harvest and a big sigh of relief as firefighters worked long days to keep the Pickett Fire in the hills to the northeast of Napa Valley. Most vineyards in the area were spared from smoke and flames. But not all—some vintners in Pope Valley and Howell Mountain are testing their grapes for smoke taint. Meanwhile, investigators are looking into what started the fire.
This article was originally published on August 28, 2025. You can read the full-length version for free here.
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