Tenafeate Creek Winery, at centre of Covid outbreak, overwhelmed by support – and online orders

The winery where 10 people caught Covid during a lunch says it’s been “overwhelmed” by support during lockdown – and is now trying to fill all those orders.

There’s “light at the end of the tunnel” for Tenafeate Creek Wines owner Michael Costa, after a nightmare week in which the venue was swept up in the state’s Covid-19 outbreak.

As SA emerges from a seven-day lockdown, Mr Costa said he had been inundated with messages of support from the public, which has also rallied behind the business by placing online wine orders.

“It’s made a really difficult situation a little bit easier. It’s been completely overwhelming and very touching,” he said.

“People are getting on board and buying some wine and we’ll get them out to everyone as soon as possible.

“I’m still going through emails, messages, phone calls now from late last week … it shows you how much Australians and South Australians get on board to support local businesses.

“It’s really helped me through the week.”

Tenafeate Creek Wines owner Michael Costa packs wine bottles after being inundated with orders from the public trying to support their small business, which became one of the tier one exposure sites. Picture: Tom Huntley

Tenafeate Creek, at Yattalunga, was identified as the location of one of two “superspreader” events after a Covid-positive guest attended lunch at the winery on Sunday, July 18.

Ten cases have since been linked to the venue.

Michael’s father, winery co-founder Larry, his mother, Jane, and members of staff have been in quarantine in a medi-hotel since last week. So far, everyone has tested negative for the virus.

“What’s making me happy is everyone’s safe and well. (My parents) are doing well, we’re speaking all the time and they’re OK, as are all the staff,” said Michael, who didn’t work at the winery on July 18.

“It’s been a complete blur, at times a nightmare. We’ve just been so worried for everyone involved. It’s been crazy.”

While he’s busy completing online orders, Mr Costa was unsure when the winery would fully reopen but he said it was “encouraging” to see the lockdown end.

“It’s the light at the end of the tunnel, which is positive … it’s(the lockdown) obviously hit everyone, especially those in the hospitality sectors and so forth, it’s just been devastating,” he said. “But, yeah, one step at a time. We’ll get through this, we’ve done it before. We’re a tough bunch of South Australians, we’ll do it again.”