McLaren Vale winery to roll the dice on reopening just days after a fire caused up to $400,000 damage

THE management of McLaren Vale winery Alpha Box & Dice is confident that its cellar door will be back in business just days after a fire ripped through one its buildings, causing up to $400,000 damage.

THE management of McLaren Vale winery Alpha Box & Dice is confident that its cellar door will be back in business just days after a fire ripped through one its buildings, causing up to $400,000 damage.

Business development manager Lachlan Aird told The Advertiser that an electrical fault in a storage building adjacent to the cellar door serving area was the likely cause of the fire, which broke out at the Olivers Rd address early Sunday afternoon.

An SA police spokeswoman confirmed that early investigations suggest an electrical fault was to blame.

Mr Aird said electricians were now on site and staff were assisting in a clean up that would help the winery reopen as early as possible.

“Technically, it could be open now,” Mr Aird said.

“But we’re further assessing the damage today and we’re hoping we’ll be able to reopen within days.

“The building that has been affected is not actually the cellar door as such — it’s not where people come when they visit us.

“We’re pretty hopeful and optimistic we’ll be able to adapt ... confident that it’ll not impact things too much during summer.

“It’s obviously not ideal, but it won’t stop us.”

Fire crews on the scene at Alpha Box & Dice winery. Picture: Campbell Brodie.

Mr Aird’s comments follow a social media post from the winery on Sunday evening that thanked “everyone in the AB&D community — friends, neighbours, supporters — for their kind words and concern on what has been a difficult day for our little cellar door”.

“The situation turned serious very quickly and emergency services responded and controlled the fire before it could spread,” it said.

“Everyone on the premises was thankfully not inside the building and unharmed.”

The company, which is led by owner Dylan Fairweather and winemaker Sam Berketa, said the affected building included an office and storage facility, primarily used for cellar door stock.

Alpha Box & Dice winemaker Sam Berketa. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe.

“As such, no wine barrels were impacted — as they are all stored in the main barrel hall — and only a small amount of bottled stock has been affected,” it said.

“Sadly, this includes 2012 Hercules Shiraz. Tightly clutch onto any remaining bottles you may have.

“As we further assess the situation, our cellar door will be closed until further notice, but we hope to reopen very soon. Unless you hear from us, assume all upcoming bookings will go ahead.”

SA Country Fire Service commander Brett Loughlin estimated the damage at between $300,000-$400,000, however, Mr Aird said it was premature to quantify the financial impact.

“I don’t know where this figure has come from,” Mr Aird said.

“We’ll know more about that in the coming days. We’re currently working through things with our insurer.”

WINE TIME: Staff at the scene of Sunday’s fire. Picture: Campbell Brodie.

The company paid tribute to the “incredibly skilled emergency service providers who were able to take control of this situation before it got further out of hand”.

“It goes without saying, but we are also eternally thankful to our cellar door staff for everything they did today,” it wrote on Facebook.

“We feel incredibly lucky to be a part of such a kind, caring and supportive community. “Sometimes it’s moments like this that make you realise just how lucky you are.”

Approximately 40 firefighters battled the blaze for around 30 minutes.

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