Mandala still standing after bushfires in Yarra Valley
Amazing survival of cellar door, restaurant and home
Mandala Wines, the Yarra Valley's newest wine and food destination [©Photographer: Nick Robinson]
The entire Mandala family has been devastated by the tragic loss of life and property from the current bushfire crisis in Victoria.
Despite earlier reports to the contrary, the Mandala Cellar Door, Restaurant and family home are remarkably intact suffering no structural damage during the fire.
The same cannot be said for the vineyard, fencing and some out buildings all of which have suffered some damage, the true extent of which will not be know for many days to come. However the team are already back at work and hope that they will be able to reopen within a few weeks.
Mandala Wines Managing Director Charles Smedley said, “We had very little notice of the fire’s ferocious change of direction on Saturday evening. We had perhaps two or three minutes to gather the kids in the car, collect staff working in the restaurant and leave the property. Like many, it was extremely difficult to clearly navigate our way from the Valley and we eventually made our way to relative safety in Yea.
We spent the night on the football oval with hundreds of other evacuees and then travelled to stay with family in Melbourne. I was only able to get back to Dixon’s Creek late yesterday and after many reports of the total destruction of our property, was amazed to see the buildings and our home still standing.”
With most of the Yarra Valley still closed off to traffic and many areas under immediate risk from the fires, it will be several days until business resumes at the winery and cellar door.
“We hope to be up and running this weekend so that we can provide support to the community and those still battling the fires and assisting with the recovery. The health and well-being of the vineyard will be constantly monitored and assessed however no decisions can be made until the fire risk has well and truly passed,” said Charles.
Charles, his family and the Mandala team would like to thank all those who have phoned with offers of support and concern.
For any further information on Mandala Wines please contact Angie Bradbury, Dig Marketing Group on 03 8606 3700, 0417 517 807 or angie@digmarketing.com.au
Regions
- Yarra Valley (Wine) (VIC)
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