Winery Friends and Family,
Thank you so much for the outpouring of support and concern. We are truly blessed to have you all in our community.
2020 has been a tough year for all. The Global Pandemic has been particularly hard on small businesses, including ours. We have had to change the way we do business, then pivot again and again in order to continue to serve our loyal customers.
Just as we were getting into a new rhythm, we were faced with another crisis, this time an existential one.
We knew that a wildfire in our beloved Chiles Valley was never a matter of “if” but only “when”. In true Nichelini fashion, family members have been hard at work for years fire-safing the land we love, to give the property a fighting chance when the wildfire eventually came roaring down our hillside.
As one cousin said, “I feared I was witnessing the final minutes of our great legacy.”
But, with the heroic help of Cal Fire and many unsung family members who risked their lives to defend our historic homestead, we are still standing. 130 years and counting.
Now begins the process of putting the property back together. We are still evacuated and trying to get utilities restored. Unfortunately, this means we will not be able to host guests at our winery for a period of time. We hope to send updates soon with our re-open date.
Many have asked, “how can we help?” Here are a few suggestions:
- Buy our wine, and lots of it! – In preparation for fire, we have been storing most wine offsite, so it is safe, secure & superb. Holidays are coming, so get your orders in now!
- Tell a friend to buy our wine or to join our Wine Club! – We love our wine, you love our wine: let’s continue to share it. We need your help to get our name out there and to recover from this disaster.
- Follow us on Social Media – Facebook, Instagram… follow our progress as we help the destroyed land recover, and make it a better place for the future.
- Say a prayer – not only for us but for the others affected, the wildlife that lost their homes and their lives. Say a prayer for the land that it will heal, and continue to thrive for many generations to come.
In Gratitude,
The entire Nichelini Family (past, present and future)
