Napa wineries seek $90 million over damage blamed on the 2025 Pickett Fire
A Napa County suit seeks $90 million for agricultural damage from the 2025 Pickett Fire. It names contractor Juan Luis Gutierrez Marfil and Hundred Acre Wines owner Jayson Woodbridge; the company says it will contest the claims.
The lawsuit and fire
Robert Foley Vineyards, Jackson Family Wines and Neal Family Vineyards are among plaintiffs seeking $90 million for agricultural property damage. The Napa County Superior Court complaint names Juan Luis Gutierrez Marfil and Hundred Acre Wines owner Jayson Woodbridge. The fire began on Hundred Acre's property in August 2025.2
The fire started on August 21, 2025, near Pickett Road outside Calistoga. It spread to more than 2,000 acres within 1 day and ultimately burned more than 6,800 acres, much of it vineyard land. Hundred Acre produces Cabernet sold for around $700 a bottle.2
Ignition allegations
Reports cited by SFist said Marfil told investigators that he made a basketball-sized fire to temper a new outdoor fireplace, then put the ashes in a bucket, doused them and discarded them on a burn pile. The suit calls his conduct negligent, reckless and intentional.2
The complaint alleges that disposing of the ashes violated laws and Napa County ordinances and ignored hot, dry and windy conditions. It says Woodbridge knew the area's acute fire risk after his property was damaged in the 2020 Glass Fire. Marfil separately faces a criminal charge of recklessly causing a fire of a structure and forest; the charge is not a conviction.2
Settlement, defense and context
Reports said a wedding scheduled at Hundred Acre that weekend, despite a county ordinance, was moved when the fire began. PlumpJack Group, owned by Gavin Newsom's family, settled for an undisclosed amount over the loss of about 50% of its Oso Vineyard property.2
Hundred Acre hired local public-relations consultant Sam Singer after accounts of the possible cause emerged. Singer told the San Francisco Chronicle that the company would vigorously challenge the civil suit and would not pay claims it considered meritless.2
The 2020 Glass Fire burned in a similar area and caused far greater property damage. After PG&E equipment was ruled out, Cal Fire classified its cause as inconclusive.2
Sources
Written by the Dionysus editors from the sources above.
