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Earthquake rocks wine country, injuring at least 120 in California

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A building in Napa sustained major damage from the 6.0 earthquake on Sunday morning.
A building in Napa sustained major damage from the 6.0 earthquake on Sunday morning.Getty Images
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A family surveys damage along Second St. in Napa on Sunday.
A family surveys damage along Second St. in Napa on Sunday.AP
A section of the Napa County Court house caved in.
A section of the Napa County Court house caved in.Getty Images
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California 6.0 earthquake
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An angel statue lost its feet during the quake.
An angel statue lost its feet during the quake.AP
The Silver Oak Winery took some damage during the quake.
The Silver Oak Winery took some damage during the quake.David Duncan/Silver Oak Winery
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A worker looks at a pile of wine bottles that were thrown from the shelves at Van's Liquors following the earthquake.
A worker looks at a pile of wine bottles that were thrown from the shelves at Van's Liquors following the earthquake.Getty Images
Nina Quidit cleans up the Dollar Plus and Party Supplies Store in American Canyon Calif. after the quake.
Nina Quidit cleans up the Dollar Plus and Party Supplies Store in American Canyon Calif. after the quake.AP
California 6.0 earthquake
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Jean Meehan looks over the damage to her JHM Stamp and Collectibles store in Napa.
Jean Meehan looks over the damage to her JHM Stamp and Collectibles store in Napa.AP
Napa County firefighters spray foam on hot spots from a fire at a mobile home park following the quake.
Napa County firefighters spray foam on hot spots from a fire at a mobile home park following the quake.Getty Images
California 6.0 earthquake
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California 6.0 earthquake
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California 6.0 earthquake
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California 6.0 earthquake
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California 6.0 earthquake
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California’s wine country was rocked by the region’s strongest earthquake in 25 years early Sunday, injuring more than 120 people, damaging numerous businesses and jolting residents awake.

Nearly 70 aftershocks were recorded following the magnitude-6.0 temblor, the largest to hit Northern Californaa Area since the 6.9 Loma Prieta quake in 1989.

The historic Post Office building in Napa was damaged by the quake.EPA

At least six people were listed in critical condition Sunday, including two adults and a child who were struck by glass and falling debris.

But one of the biggest casualties was the wine.

Twitter was filled with pictures of broken wine bottles, which fell from store shelves and wine closets.

“We almost got thrown off our bed,” Napa winemaker Steve Matthiasson said, noting that his and wife Jill’s restored 1905 farmhouse was significantly damaged. “Our house is six inches off the foundation. We’re trying to get water back. From our house you could see the flames. A very apocalyptic morning.”

Matthiasson’s wine stock was also damaged. Barrels of his reds, stored at Silenus Vintners near his house just north of Napa, were toppled and strewn about the winery.

A mailbox is all that remains of one of four mobile homes which were destroyed on Sunday in Napa.AP

He had yet to assess the full damage, but some bungs, or stoppers, had come out.

“Silenus is an ungodly mess,” Matthiasson told the San Francisco Chronicle. “I’m sure we lost some wine, but it’s not a wipeout.”

Napa resident Emily Massimi was awakened by the quake, centered about nine miles south of the city.

“I’ve got a lot of broken wine, being here in Napa,” she told CNN. “We tend to collect wine, so I have wine all over my kitchen, and glass, and pictures off the wall and books off of bookshelves.”

At Silver Oak Winery, owner David Duncan spent the morning cleaning up broken bottles, including some worth hundreds of dollars from his private collection.

“Those bottles were very unique,” he said. “It’s a tragedy, but it’s nothing we can’t overcome.”

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The total toll to the $13 billion dollar Napa wine industry won’t be known for days.

California Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency after the quake ignited fires and knocked out power to tens of thousands of homes.

At least 30 water-main breaks and leaks were reported. The quake triggered six major fires, including some that completely burned down several mobile homes.

“There’s collapses, fires,” said Napa Fire Capt. Doug Bridewell, standing in front of pieces of masonry that fell off a turn-of-the-century office building. “That’s the worst shaking I’ve ever been in.”

Highway Patrol and the California Department of Transportation were checking roadways for damage.

There appeared to be no damage to major bridges in the Bay Area, authorities said.

Post Wire Services