Sterling Vineyards, an iconic winery in the heart of Napa Valley, has been a popular destination for wine enthusiasts and tourists for decades. Unfortunately, the Glass Fire in 2020 caused extensive damage to the property. Still, our dedicated team, led by Paul Schleider, Director of Engineering and Maintenance, has been working vigorously on fire mitigation and rebuilding efforts. In this blog post, we share updates on the progress made by Paul and our team and how these efforts have uncovered stunning new views on the property that were previously hidden.
Introducing Paul Schleider
Paul Schleider is the Director of Engineering and Maintenance and has been a part of the Sterling family since 1981, starting as a sophomore in high school. Initially working as a seasonal worker in the landscaping department, Paul has held various roles over the years and now oversees the entire facility. For Paul, Sterling feels like home, and his experience has provided a well-rounded understanding of how a winery operates and what it needs to be successful. In addition, Paul has witnessed the industry’s evolution, from the early days when it was less developed to the current landscape of Napa Valley, which has gained immense popularity and become a sought-after destination for wine connoisseurs and tourists alike.
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Fire Mitigation Efforts and Updates from Paul Schleider
What is Fire Mitigation?
Fire mitigation refers to the actions and measures taken to reduce wildfires’ risk and potential damage. This can include various efforts such as creating defensible space around buildings, removing dead or flammable vegetation, developing fire breaks, and implementing fire-resistant construction materials. These efforts can help protect people, property, and natural resources from the devastating impacts of wildfires.
Our Commitment
As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and preservation of our vineyards, we have been focused on fire mitigation efforts. We're clearing the burnt native hillsides, which has scattered dead trees that pose a significant threat as potential fuel for future wildfires. To ensure the safety and beauty of our Calistoga community, we are taking proactive measures by clearing the surrounding areas as well. Our team is also conducting assessments for all at-risk wineries to ensure the safety of our properties. We recognize the impact of the falling dead trees on the ecosystem, natural healing of the hillside, and fire hazards.
Another approach we have used for fire mitigation is bringing up to 600 sheep to graze the area. The sheep are essential in preventing fires by eating vegetation and stomping down other plants. In addition, the vineyard management team strategically places the sheep in areas susceptible to fires, such as near roads and buildings. By doing so, the sheep help to clear the underbrush and reduce the fuel load, which lowers the risk of fires.
Stunning New Views Unveiled
The rebuilding process has been an incredible journey for Sterling Vineyards. We are proud to say that our team has accelerated the process from what would have usually taken 4-5 years to just 2-2.5 years. Despite facing some challenges along the way, we are on track for a fall reopening. One of the reopening highlights will be our new Sterling Aerial Tram system, which has been redesigned to offer visitors a better view of the winery and valley as they travel up the hillside.
Our fire mitigation and rebuilding efforts have led us to discover some stunning new views on our property that were previously hidden. Removing certain trees has opened previously unseen views to the north, including Mount Saint Helena and the Palisades. We are excited for wine club members and visitors to enjoy these breathtaking sights while riding our redesigned Sterling Aerial Gondola.
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Looking Ahead
Our team is making steady progress in rebuilding the property and enhancing the visitor experience. Currently, we are in the process of installing the Sterling Aerial Gondola system. As part of this process, we have hung and tested the rope, which will connect to the drive station where visitors will enter the cabin. We are also preparing to install the 13 new cabins that will offer our guests a unique orientation and a better view of the winery and valley during their journey. We are excited to see these plans come to fruition and look forward to offering our wine club members and guests an unparalleled experience in the heart of Napa Valley.
Sterling Rising
The overall site renovation and reconstruction continue at pace. The upper mountain Visitor Center and Tasting Room will be completed by early summer, and the lower level of the guest campus will be finished in early autumn, all ahead of our planned October re-opening. Our dedicated team is hard at work, crafting innovative and exclusive tasting experiences for our esteemed wine club members and guests. Additionally, we are enhancing our Sterling tour of spectacular Napa Valley views from the top of our winery.
We invite you to stay connected with us by following our progress through behind-the-scenes photos and videos. Witness Sterling Vineyards' literally rising from the ashes, regaining its historic splendor, and bouncing back to once again being one of the most visited sites and sought-after destinations in the Napa Valley.
