In Australia, the threat of fire is a reality faced by many regional communities.
In our wine regions, fires present danger to vineyards, wineries, plant and equipment. Smoke from fires also brings with it a risk that fruit may be affected by the free volatile phenols that are produced when wood is burnt.
In this section, we have compiled a range of resources to assist in preparing for fire, vineyard recovery following fire, and assessing and managing smoke impacts. These resources include webinars, factsheets and case studies. Follow the links below.
Prepare for the fire season
Bushfires are a possibility in any wine region around Australia. Planning before the fire season commences is critical to ensure that you are prepared for the actions that you may need to take to save lives, minimise the impact on your business and recover sooner.
Vine recovery following a fire
Following a fire event, the impact within the vineyard can present itself in different ways. Depending on the extent of the fire damage, vines may be able to be rehabilitated or they may need to be replaced. The resources on this page will help you to assess damage.
Assess and manage smoke impact
Smoke exposure can affect grapes any time during their development, with the greatest risk occurring from about a week after veraison through to harvest. Smoke taint risk also depends on other factors such as intensity and duration of the fire, proximity of the vineyard to the fire, prevailing weather conditions and grape variety. The resources on this page will help explain how to assess smoke impact and options for management.
For further support, please contact the AWRI helpdesk on (08) 8313 6600 or helpdesk@awri.com.au.