The bushfire crisis gripping Australia has claimed lives, homes and businesses and chillingly there is no end in sight for many areas.
Fund-raising efforts have seen millions of dollars raised across the globe to help those who have been impacted.
From an industry perspective it is too early to tell just what the impact will be, but many wineries and grape growers face losing their entire 2020 vintage through either direct fire damage or smoke taint.
Indeed smoke taint could impact more than just 2020 grapes, with some wines that are maturing in barrels also facing the possibility of copping smoke taint and so being destroyed.
The Adelaide Hills region is looking at having as much as 30 per cent of its vines directly destroyed by fire with further damage to infrastructure meaning vine recovery could be hampered. The Adelaide Hills Wine Region has set up a gofundme page, and has also started an official fire appeal for donations – full details are on the Adelaide Hills Wine Region website.
The other consistent message that has come to TheShout is to buy local wines, support these regions now by buying their products and helping in that way. In addition while people are urged to stay away from affected areas now, once it is safe there will be a push to bring people back to the areas and visit affected businesses.
Some businesses have already pledged to donate proceeds from sales to the relief effort. Kangaroo Island has suffered tremendous damage and Kangaroo Island Spirits has said it will donate $10 from every bottle sold on its website to the Kangaroo Island Bushfire Appeal until 11.59pm, Sunday 12 January 2020. This includes all gins, vodkas, three-packs and liqueurs available on the Kangaroo Island Spirits website.
Dirty Three Wines in South Gippsland is donating $5 for every bottle sold through its cellar door to the Bendigo Bank Bush Fire Appeal.
The community of Dapto NSW has been collecting donations and coordinating their supply to surrounding affected areas of the South Coast. To get involved, or to request assistance from the Dapto team, contact Julie O’loughlin on 0466336844 or go to the Facebook page What’s happening in Dapto and surrounds.
Supporting businesses and producers through this difficult times and visiting them when it is safe is the best thing we can all do. If you have any fundraising efforts happening, please email me so I can add to this page – ayoung@theshout.com.au.