Napa winemaker fears new wildfire after smoke from last blaze tainted grapes
Napa winemaker fears new wildfire after smoke from last blaze tainted grapes
Chris Jambois owns Black Sears Winery in Napa County, California, where memories are still fresh of the Glass Fire five years ago. The blaze destroyed several wineries and more than 1,500 structures, but Jambois learned even if the vineyards are spared from fire, they could still be impacted by the smoke. Carter Evans reports.
Read the full article on CBS US
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article is mostly accurate, focusing on the real concerns of Napa winemakers regarding wildfires and smoke taint. The article presents a slightly sympathetic view towards the winemakers, but remains relatively objective. The claim about the Glass Fire being five years ago is incorrect.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: Chris Jambois owns Black Sears Winery in Napa County, California.
- Assessment: Unverified, but likely true given the context of the CBS report.
- Claim: Memories are still fresh of the Glass Fire five years ago.
- Assessment: Incorrect. The Glass Fire occurred in 2020, making it less than five years ago at the time of the article's publication. This is a factual error.
- Claim: The Glass Fire destroyed several wineries and more than 1,500 structures.
- Assessment: Unverified, but likely true given the severity of the Glass Fire and general knowledge of the event.
- Claim: Vineyards can be impacted by smoke even if spared from fire.
- Verification Source #2: Confirms that smoke from wildfires can taint grapes.
- Verification Source #3: Confirms that smoke from wildfires can taint grapes.
- Verification Source #4: Confirms that wineries are checking for smoke taint.
- Verification Source #5: Implies the danger of smoke and flame is a familiar threat.
- Assessment: Supported by multiple sources. Smoke taint is a known issue for vineyards near wildfires.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Source 2: "A plume of smoke over a vineyard in Napa County as the Hennessey fire burned last month...fears they were tainted by wildfire smoke."
- Source 3: "Smoke from the West Coast wildfires has tainted grapes in some of the nation's most celebrated wine regions with an ashy flavor that could..."
- The Glass Fire occurred in 2020, not five years prior to the article's publication.