EPISODE · Jun 8, 2026 · 8 MIN
How a 50-Year-Old Winery Survived a Devastating Wildfire
from The Turnaround Podcast with Fexingo: Distressed Businesses, Restructuring, and Recovery · host Fexingo
In 2020, the Glass Fire swept through Napa Valley, destroying vineyards and wineries. Lucas and Luna examine how Chateau Montelena, a 50-year-old winery famous for winning the 1976 Judgment of Paris, nearly lost everything—and how they rebuilt by diversifying into premium wine experiences and direct-to-consumer sales. They discuss the economics of vineyard insurance, the shift away from wholesale distribution, and why the winery now generates 40% of revenue from its tasting room and wine club. Along the way, they touch on broader market volatility: the S&P 500 down 2.8% in the last five days, and South Korea's Kospi plunging 7% amid Middle East tensions. A story of resilience in an industry where the product takes years to mature. #ChateauMontelena #NapaValley #WildfireRecovery #WineIndustry #JudgmentOfParis #DirectToConsumer #BusinessResilience #Restructuring #Turnaround #GlassFire #Insurance #Vineyard #SupplyChain #MarketVolatility #Business #Podcast #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
What this episode covers
In 2020, the Glass Fire swept through Napa Valley, destroying vineyards and wineries. Lucas and Luna examine how Chateau Montelena, a 50-year-old winery famous for winning the 1976 Judgment of Paris, nearly lost everything—and how they rebuilt by diversifying into premium wine experiences and direct-to-consumer sales. They discuss the economics of vineyard insurance, the shift away from wholesale distribution, and why the winery now generates 40% of revenue from its tasting room and wine club. Along the way, they touch on broader market volatility: the S&P 500 down 2.8% in the last five days, and South Korea's Kospi plunging 7% amid Middle East tensions. A story of resilience in an industry where the product takes years to mature. #ChateauMontelena #NapaValley #WildfireRecovery #WineIndustry #JudgmentOfParis #DirectToConsumer #BusinessResilience #Restructuring #Turnaround #GlassFire #Insurance #Vineyard #SupplyChain #MarketVolatility #Business #Podcast #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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How a 50-Year-Old Winery Survived a Devastating Wildfire
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