John Legend’s wine safe from California fires

It was a close call, but Raymond Vineyards, the Napa Valley winemaker that exclusively produces John Legend’s Legend Vineyard Exclusive Collection brand of wines, is safe after wildfires in northern California.

The vineyard, located in St. Helena, Calif., was among many businesses threatened by the fires, which started nine days ago. According to California’s fire agency, more than 5,700 structures have been reduced to ash in the 213,000 acres that have burned so far, and 41 people have died, making it the deadliest week for wildfire-related deaths in the state’s history.

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According to a report from TMZ.com, the fires came within five miles of threatening the vineyard but turned away before the fields suffered any physical damage. The grapes themselves, however, have likely been affected by the smoke from the blaze. The damaged ones will have to be discarded when this year’s crop is harvested, which is expected to increase costs for the limited-edition wine.

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Legend’s LVE Collection was launched in 2015 in a collaboration with Raymond Vineyards’ proprietor Jean-Charles Boisset and winemaker Stephanie Putnam.

“Legend Vineyard Exclusive was a dream long in the making,” Legend said in a 2015 interview for Haute Living. “As with my music, I searched for the right collaborator, a vineyard whose pursuit of the perfect blend and standards of excellence equaled my own. With roots deep in the Napa Valley and award-winning wines known for beautiful balance, finesse and power, working with Jean-Charles and Raymond Vineyards was the perfect union. Together we created LVE to be seductive, rich and complex.”

The wines are currently available in select fine wine retailers and restaurants.

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