‘Super-spreader’ Tenafeate Creek Wines and Greek on Halifax owners devastated by outbreak

The owners of a winery and restaurant swept into SA’s Covid storm say they feel powerless and heartbroken over the deteriorating crisis.

The owners of two venues that hosted the state’s Covid-19 “superspreader” events have described the “devastation” of being at the centre of the latest outbreak.

The number of SA cases have more than doubled, after authorities revealed seven infections linked to Tenafeate Creek Wines, near One Tree Hill, and two at the Greek on Halifax restaurant in the CBD.

It includes two cases, a brother and a sister, who were linked to the winery and cellar door Thursday.

A cleaner conducts the deep clean of the Greek on Halifax Street, Adelaide. Picture: Emma Brasier.

Winery co-owner Michael Costa said he felt “terrible” about the latest outbreak, which is part of the Modbury cluster.

“We’re devastated, we’re absolutely devastated about it all. We feel terrible, absolutely terrible. But it’s out of our control, it’s out of everyone's control,” he said.

“There’s nothing you can do, you just follow all the protocols and procedures. This bloody virus, it’s just one of those things.”

Mr Costa, who established the winery with father Larry in 2002, said he wasn’t aware of how many people were at the winery and cellar door on Sunday afternoon, when an infectious patron attended the venue.

Michael Costa pictured in happier times at his family's winery, Tenafeate Creek Wines in One Tree Hill. Picture: Matt Loxton

Entrance to the closed Tenafeate Creek Wines cellar door and vineyard at Yattalunga near Gawler. Picture: Mark Brake.

But he said all staff and his family had tested negative for the virus so far.

“I never take days off work but because it’s a quieter time of the year, I said to dad, ‘Bugger it, I’m going to take the Sunday off’. Mate, luckily I did,” Michael said.

“Then I got a call on Monday and they (SA Health) wanted some information, who was working, they wanted site maps and I got that back to them within an hour. Then everyone was contacted. It all happened very quickly, which is a great thing.”

“We’ve got a stack of orders, people getting online and ordering from us which is fantastic, we’ll get them out to them as soon as possible. no doubt everyone’s drinking a few more wines at the moment.”

The Greek on Halifax owner, Ross Galantomos, said it had been an “emotionally draining” few days after being told a positive case attended a birthday party at the restaurant on Saturday night.

The Greek on Halifax restaurant in Adelaide. Picture: Michael Marschall.

“It’s been very difficult, it’s been a big day. We’re just doing everything we can to help SA Health and SAPOL and we’ve been spending a lot of time getting all the detailed information that they need, CCTV footage … there’s a lot to try and do and it’s emotionally draining,” he said on Tuesday night.

“We’ve had a lot of support from our customers and our suppliers, we’ve had messages and phone calls and everyone’s been really, really good.

“(But) it’s getting worse mate, I can tell you that right now. It’s not the end – put it that way.

“At the moment, everyone is fine and all the support has been lovely. We’re just trying to do what we can for the state essentially.”

SA chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier has warned more cases are likely to emerge in coming days as more exposure sites are revealed.

Mr Costa encouraged everyone to follow SA Health guidelines during the state’s seven-day lockdown.

“Be safe, look after each other and don't panic. We’re all in this together. As long as we keep following the directions, we’ll get out of this,” he said.

“Luckily we’re got good support from family and friends, it’s been overwhelming, makes it that little bit easier … having a few glasses of wine every night helps too.”