Napa Valley vineyard ravaged by 2020 Glass Fire – Business News
An enormous Napa Valley vineyard is getting a second likelihood — simply as California’s wine industry faces a brutal reckoning.
A partnership between winemaker Maya Dalla Valle and Coastal Vineyard Care Associates (CVCA) has bought the 500-acre Cain Vineyard property on Spring Mountain from the Meadlock household, Wine Spectator studies.
The price was not disclosed.
A summer time morning view of the Cain Vineyard with fog filling the Napa Valley. Instagram/@cain_vineyard_and_winery
The 2020 Glass Fire killed most of the vines and burned each building on the property. AFP by way of Getty Images
The 2020 Glass Fire destroyed practically all the things in its path, killing most of the vines and burning each building on the property. Just 15 acres of vines survived. Another 52 acres have since been replanted.
The new house owners plan to keep rebuilding the vineyard — and betting on Napa’s future at a time when the area’s wine business is beneath growing strain.
“I’m born and raised here. We saw an opportunity to protect this place,” winemaker Maya Dalla Valle stated.
Dalla Valle, co-owner and winemaker at her household’s Dalla Valle Vineyards, will own half of the new partnership. Instagram/@mayadv
Americans are consuming much less wine, youthful shoppers are more and more selecting options reminiscent of spirits and ready-to-drink drinks, and Napa growers are feeling the squeeze from weaker demand, hovering prices and labor complications.
A 2026 survey discovered half of Napa vineyards reported declining income final 12 months, whereas 51% reported decrease income.
Dalla Valle, co-owner and winemaker at her household’s Dalla Valle Vineyards, will own half of the new partnership. CVCA, a vineyard management company, will own the opposite half.
A 2026 survey discovered half of Napa vineyards reported declining income final 12 months, whereas 51% reported decrease income. Instagram/@mayadv
Winemaker Maya Dalla Valle plans to develop a new wine utilizing choose parcels of the property.
“Cain Vineyard is such a historic site and so iconic,” Dalla Valle instructed Wine Spectator. “When we saw the opportunity to buy it, we saw the chance to protect and restore a key part of Napa Valley. I’m born and raised here. We saw an opportunity to protect this place.”
She plans to develop a new wine utilizing choose parcels of the property.
Cain was a sheep ranch when Jerry and Joyce Cain purchased the land in 1979 and commenced planting Cabernet Sauvignon.
Jim and Nancy Meadlock joined them in 1986 and acquired out the Cains in 1991.
The vineyard, perched roughly 2,000 toes above sea degree between Napa and Sonoma counties, grew to become identified for Cabernet Sauvignons that bucked Napa’s bigger-is-better fame.
Cain’s wines had been more restrained, with decrease alcohol and better acidity.
Then got here the Glass Fire.
The Glass Fire burns within the hills close to a vineyard on Sunday, September 27, 2020, in St. Helena, California. Getty Images
The blaze swept throughout Spring Mountain in 2020, torching each building and killing most of the vines. Longtime winemaker Chris Howell fled the property when the flames had been simply a mile away.
The Meadlocks determined to not rebuild.
Third Leaf Partners, a San Francisco personal equity firm, purchased the Cain model and stock in December 2025 — however not the land. Howell continues making Cain wine utilizing fruit bought from the vineyard.
Workers putting in rebar and stakes for new trellises at Cain Vineyard & Winery. Instagram/@cain_vineyard_and_winery
The property was devastated by the Glass Fire in September 2020, and Hoopes plans to revive the property and rethink its future. Instagram/@mayadv
Dalla Valle is co-owner and winemaker at Dalla Valle Vineyards, based by her mother and father.
Now Dalla Valle and CVCA are taking control of the dust itself.
They plan to proceed replanting whereas sustaining Cain’s current lease.
“Cain the winery will continue to buy fruit with no stated end date as the brand is connected to the vineyard.”
The project may also be separate from Dalla Valle Vineyards.
