Humanitarian efforts and fundraisers are underway throughout the U.S. to help Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties began rebuilding from the worst wildfires in California history.

Direct Relief, which provides a link on its website for designated donations, reported: “Deadly wildfires across Northern California that erupted Oct. 8 have displaced upwards of 100,000 people, destroyed over 7,700 structures and caused at least 41 deaths.”

Other ways to contribute include:

Reaching Out to Wine Lovers

We had the benefit of learning more about the personal tragedies in wine country on Oct. 30 when the popular 3d Corner Wine Shop and Bistro, in Encinitas, Calif., hosted a fund-raiser for Sonoma County and its Resilience Fund. Chris Jackson, of Stonestreet Estate Vineyards, poured their fine estate and single vineyard Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Thanks to the owner, Ed Moore, the restaurant donated a three-course meal so 100 percent of the proceeds, up to $250 per guest, plus additional money raised from a silent and live auctions, went to relief effort.

Jackson said the losses to businesses and wineries are still being calculated. Many friends and Stonestreet employees lost their homes during the fires. The magnitude of the rebuilding effort won’t be known for some time, yet the determination of people in wine country to rebuild is strong and they are most grateful for the efforts from around the country to help.

Upper Barn

The 3d Corner crowd enjoyed four Stonestreet wines from their expansive Alexander Valley and Mayacamas Mountain vineyards: the 2015 Stonestreet Estate Chardonnay (our table gave it 16.0 on the UC Davis scale, or about 90 on the 100-point scale); the 2014 Upper Barn single vineyard Chardonnay (17.0 and 92); the 2014 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (16.0 and 90); and the 2014 Rockfall single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (17-17.5, 92-93). Stonestreet ages its wines in French oak, with varying percentages of new barrels. The wines all showed fine varietal character, with the single vineyard wines exhibiting deeper fruit and more complexity.

Jackson urged everyone to consider visiting wine country soon to show support for the wineries and the tourism industry. His thoughts were echoed on Oct. 31 by Zagat, which posted a link to its ideas for visiting California wine country and helping start the economic recovery as businesses, wineries, shops and hotels rebuild.

Good ideas from Zagat. We have our calendars open and are looking forward to a wine country escape very soon.