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🌱 Patch AM: Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Belongs to Napa and Sonoma Counties

Coming up on the Napa Patch calendar: Silent Book Club Napa County

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Sunday December 21st Patch AM
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Good morning to you Napa! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Napa Valley whites crash Wine Spectator’s Top 100 party
  • Napa offers self-serve sandbags ahead of Christmas Eve storm
  • What Napa County Airport’s big 2025 changes mean for nearby residents

Also on today's calendar: Silent Book Club Napa County and 2 more events.

Find out what's happening in Napa Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the balloon say to the doctor? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Napa Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Sunday: Rain, with a high of 61 and low of 52 degrees.
  • Monday: Periods of rain, temps: high: 62, low: 50.
  • Tuesday: Cloudy, showers; breezy, with a high of 57 and low of 45 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Belongs to Napa and Sonoma Counties (patch.com) — Wine lovers in Napa can toast a strong local showing in Wine Spectator’s 2025 Top 100 list, where California dominates and Napa and Sonoma wines take many of the top spots. Napa Valley vineyards, including Calistoga’s Aubert, surprised by producing the list’s top three white wines, underscoring the region’s range beyond Cabernet Sauvignon and reinforcing its global reputation for quality and excitement.
   

2. Self-Serve Sandbags In Napa Until Monday To Protect Against Deluge (patch.com) — Napa residents are being urged to prepare for multiple powerful storms bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and possible power outages through Dec. 26, with the worst expected on Christmas Eve. To help locals protect homes and businesses, the City of Napa is offering self-serve sandbags through Monday at 720 Jackson Street during daytime hours.
   

3. Top stories of 2025: Napa County Airport saw big changes in 2025 (modbee.com) — Napa County Airport underwent major upgrades in 2025, with new terminals, hangars, and JSX public charter flights now linking Napa to Burbank and Orange County. At the same time, a new FAA flight path has residents in and near Napa complaining about increased airplane noise, prompting county supervisors to study options for quieter approaches in 2026.
   

4. North Bay counties have seen some of highest home insurance rate increases in past decade (pressdemocrat.com) — Napa County homeowners are paying a median $1,851 a year for home insurance, up about 30% over the past decade as wildfire risk and market turmoil drive rates higher. Researchers and advocates warn rising premiums and tougher coverage can hurt home values, while Napa agencies and community groups push wildfire preparedness and mitigation to keep insurance available and somewhat affordable.
   

5. Bob Steinhauer, Longtime Beringer Viticulturist, Dies at 84 (winespectator.com subscription) — Napa Valley is mourning Robert “Bob” Steinhauer, the influential Beringer viticulturist who helped guide the region’s shift from orchards to world-class vineyards. Over five decades, he oversaw thousands of acres statewide, shaped Beringer’s Napa wines, and left his name on a Howell Mountain vineyard and on the broader wine community.
   

📸 Around Napa

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Dr. Melanie Johansson of California Pain Specialists Named “Best of Napa” Doctor for Second Consecutive Year —Krista Clark Read on Patch
  • Cope Family Center Announces Jeni Olsen as New Executive Director —Harmony Plenty Read on Patch
  • Hiking along at Westwood Hills and I see several of these little “elf“ homes in the trees.
    What a delight. Thank you whoever is doing this. (Nextdoor Southeast Beard)
  • Is this your cat?
    Long haired siamese coming around my place. Near West F and Solano. Seems hungry and very skittish. (Nextdoor Lone Oak)
  • American Greetings Corporation posted a job opening for Support Merchandiser - Napa, CA in Napa. Apply here.
  • Whole Foods posted a job opening for Produce Overnight Team Member (Stocker, Inventory, Receiving) - Part Time in Napa. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Napa here.

Ok Napa! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I feel lightheaded!
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