Yarra Valley hit by Australian fires

Following heatwaves and long periods of drought across Australian vineyards, the Yarra Valley wine region near Melbourne has been severely affected by the bush fires that have devastated parts of Victoria this week.

The Roundstone winery and restaurant has been burnt to the ground, and other Yarra wineries including Domaine Chandon, Lance Family Vineyards and Punt Road were partially damaged.

Fires also claimed several vineyards south of the Heathcote wine region in central Victoria. Other regions affected around the state were Gippsland to the east of Melbourne; the Upper Goulburn district north of the city; and around Beechworth in the north-east.