‘This year’s vintage is toast.’ Hills winemaker reflects on Cudlee Creek fire disaster
A picture of a CFS volunteer and a koala looking toward the approaching Cudlee Creek fire in Lenswood reduced the world to tears. But there’s more to the story as Katie Spain reveals.
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When the Cudlee Creek bushfire hit winemaker Callum Beal’s family farm on December 20, his father Andrew fought for six hours to save the house and winery.
Much of the Lenswood property is flanked by forest and the vineyards closest to the inferno didn’t stand a chance.
“This year’s vintage is toast,” Beal says.
“But hopefully we can salvage some of them for the years ahead.”
Chances are, you’ve seen the iconic photograph taken that day.
It pictures a CFS volunteer and a koala looking toward the winery as the fire front approached.
It’s enough to bring a tear to the eye.
So, too, is the mateship on display across Australia at the moment.
“People just started turning up a few days after the fire,” Beal says.
“Everyone has been so supportive.”
Like pal Ryan McCourt who arrived unannounced from Sydney to assist recovery efforts.
The family is working hard to re-establish irrigation and when green shoots began appearing on a few vines this week, it lifted spirits.
The Beal family feel like the lucky ones.
“This vintage is going to be pretty disastrous for some regions across Australia,” Beal says. “At least we didn’t lose the house or winery.”
Beal is one to watch. The former wine retailer and distributor returned to the Hills to follow his heart and started his little wine brand Beal & Co in 2013.
“The vineyards drew me back,” he says.
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He also sources fruit from Hills growers David Bowley, Darren Golding and Robb Cootes – all three of whom lost their precious vineyards in the fire.
The Official Adelaide Hills Wine Region fire appeal is a good way to donate cash to help growers rise from the ashes.
In another display of camaraderie, the team at online wine retailer Different Drop are hosting Beal & Co’s direct sales.
“They’ve been amazing,” Beal says.
“They’re not taking a cut from sales and they’ve also donated their time, packing, and shipping. It’s a massive help because we’re flat out in the vineyards and weren’t able to process orders fast enough.”
Sydney-based Different Drop was founded by three mates in 2013 and connects people with exciting, artisanal Australian wines.
Opt for the easy-drinking 2018 Beal & Co Little Red ($22) merlot. Or, order the 2013 Beal & Co Merlot ($32), of which there’s only half a pallet left.
All the wine sold will go straight into helping Beal & Co’s recovery.