Duckhorn raises $300k for wine country fire relief

California’s Duckhorn Wine Company has donated more than US$300,000 to support a charity rebuilding homes in Sonoma County, Napa Valley and Mendocino County following the devastating wildfires that swept through the region in October.

Duckhorn raised the donation through tasting fees at its three visitor centres

The producer began fundraising for the relief effort immediately after the fires, pledging to donate 100% of the wine tasting fees from its three Northern California visitor centres – Duckhorn Vineyards and Paraduxx in Napa Valley, and Goldeneye in Anderson Valley – for all of October and November to Habitat for Humanity.

It had hoped to raise $250,000 to support families displaced by the October fires in wine country, but exceeded its foal by raising just over $300,000, which included donations from employees and customers, as well as from the founders of its parent company, TSG Consumer Partners.

“Even before the fires, housing was the single-most critical need in our community,” said Duckhorn Wine Company President and CEO Alex Ryan.

“Now with more than 6,000 homes lost throughout wine country, this need is more urgent than ever before. We wanted to make a real difference in the lives of those most affected by the fires while also addressing the important issue of affordable housing so we set a lofty fundraising goal. The response has been overwhelming, and thanks to the kindness and generosity of so many, we far surpassed that goal.”

In addition to today’s donation, Duckhorn plans to continue its partnership with Habitat for Humanity into the future, including mobilizing employees to help with Habitat for Humanity building projects throughout wine country.

The October wildfires were the most deadliest in California’s history claiming the lives of 42 people and burning through 200,000 acres of land. Insurance costs following the devastation is now expected to reach $9.4 billion.