Some of Australia’s most historic shiraz vineyards in the Grampians/Great Western wine region in western Victoria have been saved from devastation at the hands of a severe bushfire. Vineyards around the townships of Great Western, Moyston and Armstrong were under serious threat as a bushfire, driven by extreme temperatures in the mid-forties (Celsius), was fanned towards them over the Black Range by powerful winds. A wind change that ultimately brought welcome rainfall has helped fire fighters to control the blaze just 1-2 kilometres before the Best’s vineyards, several of which date back to the mid 19th century. The wind change saved a number of the region’s vineyards including Seppelt, Armstrong and Clayfield. Some vineyards in the region might have experienced a minor level of damage. Just three summers ago, the Clayfields’ house and winery came within a metre of destruction at the hands of another smaller blaze. Viv Thomson, whose family owns Best’s, says that temperatures reached as high as 45 degrees Celsius during the day, and remained as high as 39 degrees at 11pm on the night of New Year’s Eve. Having evacuated his own property in the Black Ranges because forecasted high winds were likely to push the fires through it, Seppelt winemaker Arthur O’Connor spent several hours helping Viv Thomson prepare his own defences. Fortunately, once he was able to return to his own home, O’Connor found it still intact and undamaged. Fortunately, the while the fire is still being controlled, there has been no loss of life. However, since the fire perimeter is a long one to watch, local fire authorities and residents will need to remain on full alert for some time yet.
