Kenwood Vineyards' tasting room is closed after the 33‑acre Sonoma property was bought by an LLC tied to Korbel owner Gary Heck. A WARN filing says 14 employees could be laid off.

Santa Rosa maker Orbis Electric says its HaloDrive Cooling Engine can cut data‑center energy use and scale local manufacturing as AI demand grows. The company is lining up pilots and space in Sonoma County.

Tens of thousands of acres of California vineyards have been ripped out and industry experts warn another wave of pullouts is coming as demand slumps and imports rise. Analysts say the correction could last into 2026.

Paris Baguette announced two new North Bay cafés in Novato and Vallejo, with work already underway at the Novato site as the chain expands in the U.S. market.

Jackson Family Wines closed its Carneros Hill facility in Sonoma and cut 13 jobs, the latest in a string of major industry consolidations. The moves reflect weaker demand and distribution shifts.

Gallo will shutter its St. Helena Ranch Winery and eliminate 93 positions across Napa and Sonoma, according to WARN filings and local reporting.

Pacific Legal Foundation asked a judge to vacate a nearly $4 million judgment against Hoopes Vineyard, arguing the fines and fees are unconstitutionally excessive. The move adds a national legal voice to a years‑long Napa enforcement fight.

BoDean agreed to a $1.28M settlement after regulators said emissions from its Santa Rosa and Windsor sites produced weeks of foul odors and visible smoke.

Arista Winery, a Russian River favorite, will stop producing wine after its 2024 vintage. The family sold the Westside Road estate in 2025 and is releasing the last bottles while supplies last.

The Trident Restaurant in Sausalito has closed, with the city revealing the landlord's two-year-long issues with unpaid rent, unrelated to the restaurant management's decision to shutter.

November brought modest job gains to the Bay Area and California, but year‑to‑date totals through November still show net losses. The rebound is tentative.

Valero plans to idle its Benicia Refinery by 2026, continuing production until then. It will support employees with relocation or outplacement services. Governor Newsom supports Valero's move, noting California's efforts to secure fuel supply.

Martinez Refining Company was fined $20,000 by the Bay Area Air District for not properly monitoring air pollutants and is now required to enhance transparency and public access to air quality data.