Bushfire’s bitter harvest

A bushfire tore through one of the state’s best known vineyards in the Upper Derwent Valley and claimed up to 50 sheep on the property yesterday. The family of vineyard owner Gerald Ellis and fire crews spent last night keeping an eye on the blaze that continued to burn around the Meadowbank Estate property. The fire has ruined any chance of a wine grape harvest this year, but Mr Ellis hoped the vines would bounce back, reports The Mercury.