Bushfires in the Yarra Valley

The Yarra Valley, along with vast areas of Victoria, has just emerged from one of the most devastating fires in Australia's history.

Yarrawood Estate has escaped with minimal physical damage, despite being ringed by raging fire to the North and South on Black Saturday, the 7th of February 2009.

We put our narrow escape down to a combination of selfless efforts by staff, neighbours & the CFA to suppress both spot fires and the fire front, and the unbelievable timing of the wind changes, resulting in only fencing, headlands, a few panels of vines and one of our prize old gum trees being lost. We think ourselves luck, given the price others have paid -- we are forever grateful!

However, physical damage is one thing... what now faces Yarrawood is the prospect of another year with a vastly reduced harvest. In 2007, when one of the most severe frosts on record devastated the Valley, Yarrawood's vintage was shrunk to 15% of normal levels. In 2009, we estimate Yarrawood's production to be less than 30% of normal due to the unseen effects of the fires -- smoke taint. The smoke absorbed by the vines during and after the fire passed will render much of Yarrawood's fruit unsuitable for production.

But we will continue and are now preparing and looking towards a more prosperous vintage in 2010! Visitation levels to the Yarra Valley and other fire-affected areas are slowly returning to pre-fire numbers, which is very important for the ongoing survival of their businesses. We thank all of our loyal customers for their phone calls of concern and wishes, and their return visits to our Cellar Door.

The other positive news is that Yarrawood has excellent stocks of pre-2009 vintage wines in stock! Below is a selection of our Yarrawood Tall Tales range -- offered at our low Cellar Door direct prices, they represent truly excellent value.

Orders can be made via our secure website at www.yarrawood.com.au or by phoning our Cellar Door on 03 9730 2003 if you would like to order mixed cases. Free freight is offered for customers in VIC, NSW, SA and Southern QLD as part of our ongoing commitment to our Cellar Door Club members. Membership is complimentary / no obligation.