Tourists Trickle Back to California Wine Country
(14 Nov 2017) TOURISTS BOARD THE NAPA VALLEY WINE TRAIN, HEADING TO SEE THE VINEYARDS AND TASTING ROOMS OF CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY.
SOUNDBITE (English) Jim Kilpatrick, tourist from Texas
The train is running. The wine is flowing. And we're on our way.
THE TOURISTS ARE A WELCOME SIGHT FOR A REGION STILL RECOVERING FROM DEVASTATING WILDFIRES THAT SHUT DOWN WINERIES, HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS DURING THEIR BUSIEST MONTH.
SOUNDBITE (English) Tanya Thomas, wine country tourist
In spite of the local disasters that have occurred in the area, I've decided to come support Napa.
THE WILDFIRE OUTBREAK IN EARLY OCTOBER KILLED MORE THAN 40 PEOPLE AND DESTROYED NEARLY 9,000 HOMES AND OTHER BUILDINGS IN NAPA AND SONOMA COUNTIES.
DESPITE WIDESPREAD DEVASTATION, ONLY A SMALL NUMBER OF THE REGION'S 1,200 WINERIES WERE BADLY DAMAGED.
AND THERE WAS LITTLE IMPACT TO WINE PRODUCTION SINCE 90 PERCENT OF THE GRAPES WERE PICKED BEFORE THE FIRES BROKE OUT.
SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Honig, chairman of Napa Valley Vintners
No wineries really lost much wine from this vintage. It was really more of the impact the fires had on people's psyches. They thought the Napa Valley was burning and they canceled their trips. That's really been the most impact for us.
AN IMPACT FELT THROUGHOUT WINE COUNTY. FEWER TOURISTS ARE VISITING THE REGION'S WINERIES, INCLUDING MICHAEL HONIG'S.
HOTELS HAVE SEEN A STEEP DECLINE IN GUESTS. MANY ROOMS ARE NOW FILLED WITH FIRE EVACUEES AND EMERGENCY RESPONDERS WHO PAY DISCOUNTED RATES.
SOUNDBITE (English) Bill Blum, manager, MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa
Spend money at our local restaurants and shops. Buy Sonoma wine. Stay at our hotels. That's really one of the best ways you can really help.
FRANK FIGONE SAYS HIS OLIVE OIL BUSINESS WAS SHUT DOWN FOR NINE DAYS. MANY OF HIS CLIENTS' OLIVE ORCHARDS WERE DESTROYED. AND HIS RETAIL SHOP IS SEEING A LOT LESS FOOT TRAFFIC.
SOUNDBITE (English) Frank Figone, owner of Figone's Olive Oil Co.
We always save for the rainy day. But in this case we're not really saving for firestorms. And it's had a tremendous financial impact on us.
HIGHER-END RESTAURANTS SUCH SONOMA'S CAFE LA HAYE ARE ALSO FEELING SQUEEZED BY THE LOSS OF OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS.
SOUNDBITE (English) Saul Gropman, owner of Cafe La Haye
Those people that lost their homes still need their incomes, so tourism is a way to help those fire victims. And nobody should be afraid to visit and see the beauty that surrounds us here.'
IT'S A MESSAGE THAT WINE COUNTRY IS SPREADING AS THEY TRY TO REBOUND WITH A STRONG HOLIDAY SEASON.
TERRY CHEA, ASSOCIATED PRESS, NAPA, CALIFORNIA
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
California wineries encourage tourists to return
(17 Nov 2017) LEADIN :
California Wine Country is working to lure tourists back to its wineries, hotels and restaurants as it recovers from devastating wildfires.
More than 40 people were killed, nearly 9,000 buildings destroyed and the wine tourism shut down, which impacted hugely on the region's main source of revenue.
STORYLINE :
Tourists board the Napa Valley wine train, heading to see the vineyards and tasting rooms of california wine country.
The train is running. The wine is flowing. And we're on our way says Jim Kilpatrick, a visitor from Texas.
The tourists are a welcome sight for a region still recovering from devastating wildfires that shut down wineries, hotels and restaurants during their busiest month.
In spite of the local disasters that have occurred in the area, I've decided to come support Napa and stay Napa Strong says Tanya Thomas, wine country tourist.
The wildfire outbreak in early October killed more than 40 people and destroyed nearly 9,000 homes and other buildings in Napa and Sonoma counties.
Despite widespread devastation, only a small number of the region's 1,200 wineries were badly damaged.
And there was little impact to wine production since 90 percent of the grapes were picked before the fires broke out.
No wineries really lost much wine from this vintage. It was really more of the impact the fires had on people's psyches. They thought the Napa Valley was burning and they canceled their trips. That's really been the most impact for us explains Michael Honig, chairman of Napa Valley Vintners.
Most vineyards were spared due to their high moisture content, and some even helped save surrounding structures by acting as fire breaks.
But many operators are now grappling with other long-term effects from the fires: making up for losses from being closed at the busiest time of year, assessing the impact of smoke and other environmental damage on this year's vintage, and persuading tourists to return after weeks of news coverage of the fires' devastation.
Hotels have seen a steep decline in guests. Many rooms are now filled with fire evacuees and emergency responders who pay discounted rates.
Bill Blum is the manager at MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa in Sonoma.
Spend money at our local restaurants and shops. Buy Sonoma wine. Stay at our hotels. That's really one of the best ways you can really help.
Frank Figone says his olive oil business was shut down for nine days. Many of his clients' olive orchards were destroyed. And his retail shop is seeing a lot less foot traffic.
We always save for the rainy day. But in this case we're not really saving for firestorms. And it's had a tremendous financial impact on us.
Higher-end restaurants such as Sonoma's Cafe La Haye are also feeling squeezed by the loss of out-of-town visitors.
Those people that lost their homes still need their incomes, so tourism is a way to help those fire victims. And nobody should be afraid to visit and see the beauty that surrounds us here.' says owner Saul Gropman.
Now the push is on to lure visitors back to the three counties, which together saw more than $3.7 billion in tourism spending in 2016.
The state's tourism commission, Visit California, is spending $2 million on an advertising campaign to encourage visitors to return.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
California wineries encourage tourists to return
(17 Nov 2017) LEADIN :
California Wine Country is working to lure tourists back to its wineries, hotels and restaurants as it recovers from devastating wildfires.
More than 40 people were killed, nearly 9,000 buildings destroyed and the wine tourism shut down, which impacted hugely on the region's main source of revenue.
STORYLINE :
Tourists board the Napa Valley wine train, heading to see the vineyards and tasting rooms of california wine country.
The train is running. The wine is flowing. And we're on our way says Jim Kilpatrick, a visitor from Texas.
The tourists are a welcome sight for a region still recovering from devastating wildfires that shut down wineries, hotels and restaurants during their busiest month.
In spite of the local disasters that have occurred in the area, I've decided to come support Napa and stay Napa Strong says Tanya Thomas, wine country tourist.
The wildfire outbreak in early October killed more than 40 people and destroyed nearly 9,000 homes and other buildings in Napa and Sonoma counties.
Despite widespread devastation, only a small number of the region's 1,200 wineries were badly damaged.
And there was little impact to wine production since 90 percent of the grapes were picked before the fires broke out.
No wineries really lost much wine from this vintage. It was really more of the impact the fires had on people's psyches. They thought the Napa Valley was burning and they canceled their trips. That's really been the most impact for us explains Michael Honig, chairman of Napa Valley Vintners.
Most vineyards were spared due to their high moisture content, and some even helped save surrounding structures by acting as fire breaks.
But many operators are now grappling with other long-term effects from the fires: making up for losses from being closed at the busiest time of year, assessing the impact of smoke and other environmental damage on this year's vintage, and persuading tourists to return after weeks of news coverage of the fires' devastation.
Hotels have seen a steep decline in guests. Many rooms are now filled with fire evacuees and emergency responders who pay discounted rates.
Bill Blum is the manager at MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa in Sonoma.
Spend money at our local restaurants and shops. Buy Sonoma wine. Stay at our hotels. That's really one of the best ways you can really help.
Frank Figone says his olive oil business was shut down for nine days. Many of his clients' olive orchards were destroyed. And his retail shop is seeing a lot less foot traffic.
We always save for the rainy day. But in this case we're not really saving for firestorms. And it's had a tremendous financial impact on us.
Higher-end restaurants such as Sonoma's Cafe La Haye are also feeling squeezed by the loss of out-of-town visitors.
Those people that lost their homes still need their incomes, so tourism is a way to help those fire victims. And nobody should be afraid to visit and see the beauty that surrounds us here.' says owner Saul Gropman.
Now the push is on to lure visitors back to the three counties, which together saw more than $3.7 billion in tourism spending in 2016.
The state's tourism commission, Visit California, is spending $2 million on an advertising campaign to encourage visitors to return.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
The Wine Ladies TV - Kendall-Jackson, Sonoma County,California - Teaser
The Wine Ladies, Georgia and Susanne take on Sonoma County and explore the magic of iconic Kendall-Jackson wines. From the helicopter ride over the county to the harvesting of the K-J gardens to operating a wine thief! COMING SOON
Who We Are
The Wine Ladies, Georgia and Susanne founded by entrepreneur sister team in 2003, take life one sip at a time as they share the splendour of food and wine for all and the wonderful lifestyle it entails. Regular national TV personalities and hosts of their own weekly TV show about wine, food and lifestyle these ladies share their passion and live life to the fullest and without hesitation. Their motto everything in life somehow comes back to the vine keeps their audiences entertained and informed.
Charismatic and entertaining The Wine Ladies enjoy their many live public appearances acting as hosts and emcees at events, fundraisers, galas, on stage presentations, wine tours or wine tastings. They also spread their passion of wine, food and lifestyle through their national newspaper columns and their regular food and wine article. The Wine Ladies enjoy a very active social media platform engaging their many followers and fans through their blogging, videos, Facebook, TWITTER, You Tube and more.
The Wine Ladies recently received the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year award by the Oakville Awards For Business Excellence.
The Wine Ladies TV Show One Sip at a Time
One Sip at a Timefollows the adventures of The Wine Ladies, Georgia and Susanne; sisters, entrepreneurs, wine lovers and food aficionados who travel the world with a sense of adventure and discovery. Bringing the audience the latest and the coolest in everything wine, culinary and lifestyle related.
Georgia and Susanne have a knack for discovering wine, spirits and culinary treasures in the most unlikely placesThe Wine Ladies travel the globe encountering fascinating people while on spectacular adventures, whether stomping grapes in Italy, driving a mechanical harvester, horseback riding among the vineyards along the foothills of the Andes, or sabering champagne at a red carpet event.
Each episode focuses on an adventure and special guest appearance by a winemaker, master chef, restaurateur, or celebrity from many walks of life whether in sports, music, entertainment or leading business entrepreneur. It's all intertwined with the love of the grapevine!
Tourists Trickle Back to California Wine Country
(14 Nov 2017) TOURISTS BOARD THE NAPA VALLEY WINE TRAIN, HEADING TO SEE THE VINEYARDS AND TASTING ROOMS OF CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY.
SOUNDBITE (English) Jim Kilpatrick, tourist from Texas
The train is running. The wine is flowing. And we're on our way.
THE TOURISTS ARE A WELCOME SIGHT FOR A REGION STILL RECOVERING FROM DEVASTATING WILDFIRES THAT SHUT DOWN WINERIES, HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS DURING THEIR BUSIEST MONTH.
SOUNDBITE (English) Tanya Thomas, wine country tourist
In spite of the local disasters that have occurred in the area, I've decided to come support Napa.
THE WILDFIRE OUTBREAK IN EARLY OCTOBER KILLED MORE THAN 40 PEOPLE AND DESTROYED NEARLY 9,000 HOMES AND OTHER BUILDINGS IN NAPA AND SONOMA COUNTIES.
DESPITE WIDESPREAD DEVASTATION, ONLY A SMALL NUMBER OF THE REGION'S 1,200 WINERIES WERE BADLY DAMAGED.
AND THERE WAS LITTLE IMPACT TO WINE PRODUCTION SINCE 90 PERCENT OF THE GRAPES WERE PICKED BEFORE THE FIRES BROKE OUT.
SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Honig, chairman of Napa Valley Vintners
No wineries really lost much wine from this vintage. It was really more of the impact the fires had on people's psyches. They thought the Napa Valley was burning and they canceled their trips. That's really been the most impact for us.
AN IMPACT FELT THROUGHOUT WINE COUNTY. FEWER TOURISTS ARE VISITING THE REGION'S WINERIES, INCLUDING MICHAEL HONIG'S.
HOTELS HAVE SEEN A STEEP DECLINE IN GUESTS. MANY ROOMS ARE NOW FILLED WITH FIRE EVACUEES AND EMERGENCY RESPONDERS WHO PAY DISCOUNTED RATES.
SOUNDBITE (English) Bill Blum, manager, MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa
Spend money at our local restaurants and shops. Buy Sonoma wine. Stay at our hotels. That's really one of the best ways you can really help.
FRANK FIGONE SAYS HIS OLIVE OIL BUSINESS WAS SHUT DOWN FOR NINE DAYS. MANY OF HIS CLIENTS' OLIVE ORCHARDS WERE DESTROYED. AND HIS RETAIL SHOP IS SEEING A LOT LESS FOOT TRAFFIC.
SOUNDBITE (English) Frank Figone, owner of Figone's Olive Oil Co.
We always save for the rainy day. But in this case we're not really saving for firestorms. And it's had a tremendous financial impact on us.
HIGHER-END RESTAURANTS SUCH SONOMA'S CAFE LA HAYE ARE ALSO FEELING SQUEEZED BY THE LOSS OF OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS.
SOUNDBITE (English) Saul Gropman, owner of Cafe La Haye
Those people that lost their homes still need their incomes, so tourism is a way to help those fire victims. And nobody should be afraid to visit and see the beauty that surrounds us here.'
IT'S A MESSAGE THAT WINE COUNTRY IS SPREADING AS THEY TRY TO REBOUND WITH A STRONG HOLIDAY SEASON.
TERRY CHEA, ASSOCIATED PRESS, NAPA, CALIFORNIA
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive: