Three Michelin-starred restaurant lost in Napa fires

Famed three Michelin-starred The Restaurant at Meadowood, otherwise known as TRAM, has been confirmed as one of the structures that was destroyed at the Meadowood luxury resort.

The main building at Meadowood.

As first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, the Glass Fire ripped through the 250-acre Meadowood estate and resort complex.

Among them was the building which housed TRAM, casual dining space the Grill at Meadowood and a golf shop.

#meadowood across the valley from St Helena. I just left there…they couldn’t save it. :(. #glassfire pic.twitter.com/hmskvdOSsc

— Adam Housley (@adamhousley) September 28, 2020

Staff and guests were evacuated on Sunday afternoon (27 September) before flames reached the property at around 3am local time the following day.

According to the publication, most of the resort’s large buildings remain standing, however the main restaurant building, as well as the tennis complex, are believed to have been damaged or destroyed.

Heartbreaking loss for the Napa Valley. The Restaurant and Grill at Meadowood have burned to the ground. Other buildings still standing. @nbcbayarea at 8 & 11. pic.twitter.com/5rYNWryE8A

— TerryMcSweeney (@TerryMcSweeney) September 29, 2020

In a statement on social media, executive chef of the restaurant, Christopher Kostow, that the team was “torn apart”.

He wrote: “A eulogy is deserved, and will be given in due time…for now, I want to thank all of the TRAMily that have ever graced this magical space— and all of the guests over the years who have enjoyed the efforts of these multitudes. What an honor it has been. Martina and I wish our broader, Napa community safety and courage during this devastating time. #TRAMily forever.”

David Pearson, the newly-appointed managing director of the Meadowood Estate, which is owned by vintners H. William ‘Bill’ Harlan and Stan Kroenke, said: “The Harlan and Kroenke families remain committed to the Napa Valley and this place called Meadowood, which, over almost six decades, has become intimately entwined with local life, serving its members and their families, while welcoming three generations of frequent visitors to the valley from around the world. During this time, the property and community have been home to the Harlans, whose children grew up here.

“In those years, we in the Napa Valley have all confronted and overcome many adversities, and though we will not emerge from the recent wildfires unscathed, recent events neither alter nor diminish our spirit, sense of purpose, and resolve to support this singular community of which we are proud to be a part.

“We thank our first responders for their tireless efforts and sacrifice – and the local leaders who represent us in our county, state, and federal governments. Together with our friends and neighbors, we will recover, rebuilding upon the traditions of the past to ensure an even brighter future for the Napa Valley.”

The so-called Glass Incident Fire, which is comprises the Glass, Boysen, and Shady fires and spans Napa and Sonoma counties, started in the early hours of 27 September. It has now burned and area of 46,600 acres and is 2% contained, according to Cal Fire.

Among the wineries believed to have been damaged or destroyed in the Glass Fire, according to the San Francisco Chronicle and Wine Spectator, include Château Boswell, Behrens Family Winery, Burgess Cellars, Castello di Amorosa, Fairwinds Winery, Foley Family Wines, Hourglass Winery, Hunnicutt Wines, Merus Wines, Newton Vineyard, Sherwin Family Vineyards, Spring Mountain Vineyard, Sterling Vineyards and Tofanelli Vineyards as well as the Calistoga Ranch resort.

There are also concerns about the fortunes of Paloma and Vineyard 7 & 8 on Spring Mountain, Wine Spectator also reports.

Firefighters were able to save Duckhorn and Rombauer Vineyards, the wineries confirmed on social media.

Napa Valley Vintners said the incident was a “rapidly evolving situation”.

“It will be some time before we know the extent of the damage. As many in the northern part of Napa Valley anxiously await updates on homes and wineries, we are all humbled by the firefighters from all over the country have come to the valley to help. It is truly amazing what these extraordinary people do to help others,” the statement read.

Three people have also died in the Zogg Fire further north in Shasta County, which now covers 50,102 acres.

Firefighters in California are currently battling 27 major wildfires. So far this year there have been a total of 8,100 wildfires that have now burned well over 3.8 million acres in the state.