Put your bushfire-relief money where your mouth is
In times of need, you can always count on the wine industry to band together to help their peers.
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As bushfires wreak havoc across Australia it feels erroneous to spend cash on booze unless it was made by producers hurt most. It has done for months. Our nation’s growers are hurting; wineries are, too.
It’s enough to make the industry weep.
Some quick-thinking brands, however, have put their money where their mouth is in a bid to help.
You only need to glance at social media to see an overwhelming wave of support and fundraisers dotted between the scenes of devastation. It is heartening.
Hats off to Tim Bakker from HillsOnFireWines, an initiative which asks winemakers and wineries to donate a minimum of 20 litres of wine (still sitting in tank).
The precious grape juice is packed into 100 per cent recyclable PET kegs and distributed to Adelaide hospitality venues under the HillsOnFireWines label and sold on tap.
It is a cracking idea and it’s catching on.
Barossa Valley’s Soul Growers jumped on board and their GSM is now sold at Africola and Udaberri. Drink it while it lasts.
All profits will be donated to SA Country Fire Service and the Adelaide Hills Wine Region Fire Appeal.
“We are big believers in the ‘think global – act local’ movement of small business,” says Soul Growers’ Tom Fotheringham.
“Our little part of the state remains untouched by fire at the moment, but could well be again one day.”
Winemaker Rob Mack from McLaren Vale’s Aphelion Wines also donated the good stuff. Find @hillsonfirewines on Instagram for updates.
These are some of the South Australian brands who also found ways to help their mates:
TIM SMITH WINES
2016 / Smith and Co Adelaide Hills Shiraz
Adelaide Hills
Tim Smith (from Barossa-based Tim Smith Wines) has a special place in his heart for Adelaide Hills shiraz and made this underthe Smith and Co label. The small batch creation was for friends and family but he’s decided to sell his 30 cases and willdonate 90 per cent of sales to growers. In a touching twist, the shiraz was made using fruit from Simon Tolley’s Woodsidevineyard. Simon was particularly hard hit by the fires, so dig deep and raise a glass to him. Email tim@timsmithwines.com.au; price includes freight.
$320/CASE
SPARKKE
American Red Ale
Adelaide
The fierce team at Sparkke makes great booze with social consciousness at heart. They don’t mince words in the messages ontheir cans of beer, cider and wine. The new release “Climate Change is a Burning Issue” hoppy American Red Ale is available at Sparkke at the Whitmore in Adelaide’s CBD. The team will donate 25 per cent of January’s sales to Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park. Sparkke is great for summer rooftop bar sessions.
$12/PINT
PATRICK OF COONAWARRA
2012 / Aged Riesling
Coonawarra
The Limestone Coast-based Patrick of Coonawarra crew has announced that 50 per cent of all online sales (at patrickofcoonawarra.com) during January will be donated to the SA Country Fire Service. Bravo. Winemaker Luke Tocaciu makes a mean drop. For a taste of history go for the 2012 Aged Riesling which he made with his beloved late father Patrick Tocaciu. Cellared for five yearsbefore release, it is an aromatic head-snapper: elegant, punchy and crisp.
$39
THISTLEDOWN
2018 / Nebbiolo
Adelaide Hills
There’s a lot to love about nebbiolo, especially this one. The team at Thistledown Wines has made this limited edition redusing fruit sourced from the Bowe-Lees-Loveys vineyard in the Adelaide Hills – before it was destroyed by flames. Just 800 bottles are available and all profits will go directly to those hit by the Adelaide Hills bushfires. The Italian red is amedley of cherries and spice. Bang it in the glass and feel good about the state of the world – even just for a moment. Find it at thistledownwines.com
$200/SIX-PACK
SPRINGS ROAD
Bushfire Recovery KI Six-Pack
Kangaroo Island
Battle of Bosworth Wines’ Joch Bosworth and Louise Hemsley-Smith also run Springs Road Wines (using fruit from their KangarooIsland vineyard). Their precious patch of land and KI cellar door were not damaged (to date) but they’ve put together a fundraisingsix-pack to help others. It contains two Springs Road cabernets, two shiraz/cabs and a bottle each of the Springs Road shirazand full barrel ferment chardonnay. Delish. All proceeds to the KI Mayoral Relief and Recovery Bushfire Fund. Order at bosworthwines.com.au/Wines/Springs-Road-Wine
$210/SIX-PACK