Signorello, Mayacamas,White Rock Vineyards on the list

The Northern California wine country fires have been extinguished. The devastation is almost incalculable in its long-term impact. But one thing that’s sure is that the residents of Sonoma and Napa counties are ready to rebuild and move on.

The valleys are still full of great inns, bars, getaways, resorts, shops and especially restaurants: Oenotri, the French Laundry, Bouchon, Bistro Jeanty, Redd and Press have all reopened, as has Compline, a wine bar founded by master sommelier Matt Stamp (with Ryan Stetins), which opened one month before the fires erupted. Go buy a bottle there.

Don’t worry about the smoke

Consider spending some of your discretionary wine income on wines from the affected areas. Please do not worry about smoke taint. That is a bridge to cross in a year or two, if at all. Even if it does become an issue, it has zero effect on what’s on the shelves and warehouses right now. The wine you’ll see in the marketplace for at least the next six months will not have been near so much as a wisp of smoke. So buy with confidence.

more at LATimes.com