The Australian wine industry is rallying to support flood victims in Queensland with a raffle and a half million-dollar donation from Foster’s.
Brisbane-based wine writer Tyson Stelzer has launched the Australian Wine Trade Relief Raffle and multinational drinks company, Foster’s, has pledged AUS$500,000 (£315,000) in cash and donations to help those who have been affected by the floods.
The rising waters have now claimed at least 10 lives, and left 56,000 properties without power. Ninety people are still missing, and evacuation warnings have been issued in Brisbane.
Stelzer told Decanter.com: ‘There are so many people in the Australian wine industry who have contacted me to say they want to do something to alleviate the situation in Queensland. We have close family and friends that have been affected and now is the time to rally the industry.’
In the first 24 hours of launching the raffle on website www.clearaboutwine.com.au, many wineries and wine-related businesses have donated prizes including lunch for six at The Lane Vineyard’s restaurant in Adelaide Hills. Stelzer added. ‘I hope there will be a six-figure sum raised.’
A Lockyer Creek winery, 100km west of Brisbane, has been devastated by flash floods yet has donated four cases of wine to the raffle.
Jason Kaeser of Kaeserberg Vineyard, said: ‘I had a small vineyard and winery on the bank of Lockyer Creek until the flood took it all yesterday. My wife and I are absolutely heartbroken but so grateful that we just made it out alive with our three dogs.’
In Harrisville, local grape grower and wine maker Mick Hall, told the Sydney Morning Herald he had lost about $15,000 (£9500) worth of fruit. ‘We were picking some grapes on Sunday, got half way up the row and that was it, it was pouring rain and we [are going to] lose the lot,’ Mr Hall said.
Australian Wine Trade Relief Raffle tickets can be purchased online at www.clearaboutwine.com.au or from selected retail outlets. Tickets cost $30 each and will be drawn in early March.
Written by Rebecca Gibb in Auckland
