Victorian Bushfires

Written by Ian Robertson on 22nd February 2009

It seems slightly strange to write about the impact to the wine industry of the Victorian Bushfires when death and devastation abound. However at the time of writing, the full extent of damage to wineries in the Gippsland, Macedon and Yarra Valley are not fully known.

And I for one am not about to get on the phones and find out. Let producers let us all know in their own time - they have certainly more to worry about.

Having said that, there are assumptions that came be made.

The fires in the Yarra were extensive as the mass media reported, and much of the Yering Station complex was saved when the road acted as a fire break. They lost a few rows of vines, but fire that close to the vineyard will certainly have affected the vintage from this producer and any number of neighbours. Yarra vintage 2009 cannot fail but be bushfire smoke tainted when it comes out in what would have to be tiny quantities.

Rumours persist about a number of smaller producers in the Yarra who were wiped out completely - vineyards, cellar door and all.

In light of all this news, a number of members of the wine industry have come together to try and help with a Wine Raffle. Tickets are $25 each, and available from Winestar among others. See link below for full details.

Suffice to say, the prizes certainly contain some impressive names - but of course that is not the main purpose of the raffle.

Winestar web page for Victorian Bushfire Raffle.