As Australia suffers through its worst bushfire crisis in history and communities across the country are still under threat, it’s been inspiring to see the donations flowing in from across the globe.
The crisis has seen lives, animals, homes and businesses lost, but it’s also had a huge impact on tourism, with towns evacuated during what would have been the busiest trading period of the year for them.
Over the course of the week, we’ve been speaking with retailers, wineries, distilleries, breweries and cideries in the impacted areas, and the overwhelming message they want to get out is for people to please come and visit them once it is deemed safe.
But in the meantime, one online retailer has devised a way to bring one of the hardest hit wine regions direct to consumers. Good Pair Days has launched the Bushfire Support Wine Box, which includes three wines from wineries that were affected by the Cudlee Creek fire in the Adelaide Hills, and all profits from these packs will be donated to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal.
The Bushfire Support Box includes wines from Turon Wines, Golding Wines and Tomich Wines.
Turon Wines is a small two-person operation founded in 2013, crafting small batch wines, whose vineyards have been burnt.
Golding Wines is a family-owned third generation winery located on the outskirts of Lobethal, in Lenswood, who’ve had their vineyards burnt.
Tomich Wines is also a family property that has the Onkaparinga River running through it, who’ve also had some of their vineyards burnt.
We reported on Monday that around one-third of the Adelaide Hills’ vineyards stood in the path of the fire and that the flow on effect of a disaster like this would likely be felt in the region for many years to come. So, this campaign from Good Pair Days not only helps to support some of the directly affected wineries but will also contribute to the greater rebuilding effort.
Banjo Harris Plane, the Chief Wine Officer and Co-founder of Good Pair Days, told National Liquor News that as the weeks go by, they will continue to support other affected wineries.
“It’s the most challenging time our country has faced in years, the worst fires we’ve seen (in terms of area of land burned) since 1974. Half a billion animals dead, tens of millions of dollars’ worth of damage.
“We, along with thousands of other businesses and individuals, feel the need to try and help in this situation,” he said.
“We have reached out to over a dozen wineries in the Adelaide Hills region, and have been made aware of the reality of what they are facing. Some wineries are literally still wading through the rubble, working out what is left, seeing what they can and cannot sell.
“The wineries we are showcasing were able to provide wine for sale. Some of the others are still figuring that out.
“We focused on the Adelaide Hills region firstly because in terms of wine regions, they are the worst affected. Over one-third of the total vineyard area in the Hills has been burnt. The donation we make based on sales of this box will be to the Red Cross Relief effort, which is a national offering.
“As the weeks go by, we’ll be trying to work more closely with other affected wineries – showcase their wines and support them.
“It’s everyone’s responsibility to chip in what they can. If you can donate $10, do it. If you can donate $10,000, do it. Organise a small initiative so that our wider community can get back up on their feet.”
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.
Supporting businesses and producers through these difficult times and visiting them when it is safe is the best thing we can all do. If you have any fundraising efforts happening and would like to get the message out, please email me djackson@intermedia.com.au.