Drought and Bush Fires Damage Aussie Vineyards

The Australian wine region of Yarra Valley - best known for their Pinot and Chardonnays - has been ravaged by one thing after another this year. For several months at the start of the growing season the entire area was burdened by massive drought, drying out soil and threatening to make the years harvest one of the worst in recent memory.

Then, last week, the bush fires so publicized in the media in the States and UK pushed in, wiping out vast swaths of vineyards entirely. Fosters (yes, the beer magnate) has a wine division and they're reporting a loss of at least 100 acres of vines. And although a large company like that can take a hit and keep going, many smaller vineyards and independent growers were battling the flames with buckets of water to fend off total collapse.

The AFP has the full story. You can read all of the details by going here.