Does Your Winery’s Insurance Policy Cover Wildfire Smoke Damage to Crops?

Wildfire smoke can linger over vineyards for days, leaving behind a problem that goes far beyond hazy skies. Smoke taint, the off-flavor absorbed by grapes exposed to combustion particles, can render an entire harvest unsalable. For winery owners, this kind of loss raises an urgent question: does your insurance policy cover it?

The Effect of Wildfire Smoke on Vineyards

The compounds absorbed during prolonged smoke exposure can bind to sugars inside the grape and release unpleasant flavors during fermentation. Wineries may face losses that include:

• Unsalable bulk wine or bottled product
• Rejected grapes at the crush pad
• Costs for laboratory smoke taint testing
• Lost revenue from canceled production runs

How Can My Winery Insurance Policy Help in This Case?

Coverage depends heavily on your specific policy language. Crop insurance may cover the fruit itself but not the costs of disposing of the wine once it has been processed.

Specialized winery or agribusiness policies may include provisions for crop losses tied to named perils or broader agricultural risks. Commercial property coverage may apply to finished wine inventory depending on how and when the damage occurred. A businessowners policy tailored for winery operations can sometimes be structured to address these gaps.

Reviewing your policies with our agents can give you a full picture of your coverage.

Protect Your Harvest Before Next Season

Smoke taint is one of those risks that can catch winery owners off guard because the damage is invisible until it is too late. Contact Don Ramatici Insurance, A HUB International Company to review your current coverage and explore policy options that account for the agricultural and commercial risks specific to wineries.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.