THE Australian wine industry has called for the public to throw its support behind the Adelaide Hills wine region, even as the full extent of the damage from the Adelaide Hills fires, started late last year, is being assessed.
Australian Grape & Wine chair Sandy Clark said the industry's sympathy was with those who had suffered damaged to their vineyards and wineries, both in the Adelaide Hills and elsewhere.
"We understand the threat of further losses continues and will seek to work with the state and federal government to ensure the appropriate relief is provided," he said.
'We have been delighted by the rapid action from the Marshall government with the establishment of a new emergency relief fund to help people directly affected by the Cudlee Creek bushfire, and pledging $1 million to kick-start the donation drive.
"The State Emergency Relief Fund has been activated following a formal declaration of the Cudlee Creek fire as a declared emergency."
Australian Grape & Wine chief executive Tony Battaglene said public support was also necessary.
"We need Australians to donate to the relief funds, visit the region, buy its wine and support its other businesses," he said.
"The rebuilding process will be slow, but the public has already rallied and we, and Wine Australia, have had many expressions of support from across the country and from our counterparts in New Zealand, the United States, Chile and Argentina.
"It is not only the Adelaide Hills that has suffered this year. We also express our sympathy to those in other regions who have lost property and vines, suffered smoke damage to grapes and are struggling with drought, and water shortages, leaving many without a crop this vintage.
"The impact of these fires would be much worse without the efforts of our firefighters.
"I would like to pay tribute to those volunteers of the country fire service and all the firefighters around the country who are doing a fantastic job."
