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Fire and smoke

Quick reference fire and smoke resources

How to reduce risk and increase recovery in the vineyard and winery

As global temperatures rise because of climate change, the likelihood of fire in and around our vineyards will increase. These fires may be due to scheduled burn-offs aimed at reducing fuel loads ahead of fire season, or bushfires that are more difficult to prevent and control. Either way, fire can destroy vines and the resultant smoke (and smoke ‘taint’) can reduce the quality and sale price or viability of the grapes ahead of harvest.

Whilst researchers around the world haven’t yet found the ‘silver bullet’ to prevent or fix smoke taint in grapes and wine, Wine Australia continues to invest in projects aimed at developing practical, cost-effective solutions that growers and winemakers can use to predict, assess, limit or more easily manage the damage caused by smoke. 

Meanwhile, this information aims to save you time by summarising what we have learned to date (from research and hands-on grower and winemaker experience) about how you can prepare for, respond to and recover from fire or smoke in your business.


Managing smoke and fire in the vineyard

Prepare for the fire season
Learn from growers who wish they’d done more before fire season and on the days leading up to a catastrophic fire day to better protect their businesses when fire hit.
Vine recovery after fire damage
Stop, wait and think about the long-term vision for your vineyard before deciding how to rescue your vines. Explore research and first-hand experience after other fires.
Smoke damage
Smoke in the vineyard does not necessarily result in ‘tainted’ wines. Read the latest on smoke monitoring, risk assessment and current testing options.

Managing smoke taint in the winery

Harvesting and fruit intake
Make the best of a bad situation when your fruit has been exposed to smoke by arming yourself with the lessons learned from research and winemakers after other smoke events.
Juice treatments
Juice is more forgiving than wine when trying to reduce smoke taint. Find out what seems to work (and what doesn’t) – practical instructions and choices you can make.
Wine treatments
You’ve got smoke-affected wine – now what? Walk through a selection of possible treatments and learn what might give you the best return on investment in time and effort.

FAQs

Take care of yourself

Walking into a vineyard after a fire or smoke event has been through can be confronting. Physical and emotional exhaustion from fighting the fire will make matters worse.

A calmer, clearer head will help you see a way forward. Talk to your friends and colleagues, and if you’re not sure where to turn next please reach out for professional support.


This content is restricted to wine exporters and levy-payers. Some reports are available for purchase to non-levy payers/exporters.

Levy payers/exporters
Non-levy payers/exporters
Find out more

This content is restricted to wine exporters and levy-payers. Some reports are available for purchase to non-levy payers/exporters.