Historic Chateau Boswell Winery Burns Down; More Landmarks Lost

ST. HELENA, CA — The historic 41-year-old Chateau Boswell Winery in Napa Valley was destroyed Sunday, becoming fully engulfed by the high flames of the Glass Fire. The famed landmark was among many wineries and beloved establishments lost to towering and out of control flames in less than 48 hours.

The Chateau Boswell Winery is family owned and was established in 1979 along the Silverado Trail, a winery-lined road that runs through Napa Valley's wine country.

Flames surrounded the property Sunday evening as the fire raged out of control, according to multiple reports.

The area was under evacuations Sunday as the swiftly spreading fire raced from Napa County to Sonoma County overnight. More than 53,000 people have been evacuated from these counties, Cal Fire told ABC7 Monday.

The Shady and Boysen fires sparked Sunday night and merged with the Glass Fire early Monday morning, becoming another massive fire in California's largest ever fire season.

The devastation of wrought upon one of the country's most prestigious destinations for wine tasting comes just as many of these businesses had just begun reopening their doors after closing down for months amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

SEE ALSO: CA Fires: Flames Seize Wine Country; 8,500 Structures Threatened

Among the charred landmarks was the Black Rock Inn in St. Helena, a boutique bed-and-breakfast. The inn was previously named the Glass Mountain Inn

"Sadly this beautiful inn building was completely destroyed by a wildfire today," Monica V of Newport Beach wrote on Yelp Monday.

At least seven vineyards were burned in the midst of the Glass Fire's destructive path Sunday, Eater San Francisco reported.

Castello di Amorosa, another one of Napa Valley's famed attractions was badly burned but still standing Monday, the San Francisco Gate reported. The high castle walls are a landmark in Calistoga, visible from Highway 128.

A historic, 120-year-old home at Tofaneli Vineyard was also destroyed in the fire. Although no one was living in the home, according to Vince Tofanelli per the San Francisco Chronicle, but he feared that many grapevines, some of which were planted in 1929, may have been lost.

Two other family owned wineries, Hunnicutt and Failla were also burned. Failla Wine Co. may have only sustained minor damage, reported the Mercury News.

Some winery owners shared the status of their vineyards on social media.

“Thanks to the heroic efforts of fire crews last night, Duckhorn Vineyards is standing tall, and our staff (including our beloved winery cat Kitter) is out of harm’s way. Our hearts go out to our neighbors during this difficult time,” the winery posted on Twitter Monday morning.

More than 400 wineries are located throughout Napa Valley, the Golden State's most famous wine destination. But it was still too early to tell Monday just how many more vineyards, landmarks and restaurants were lost to the Glass Fire.

This article originally appeared on the Napa Valley Patch