New South Wales Winemaker Works To Rebuild Following Bushfires And COVID-19

TUMBARUMBA, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 24: Adrian Brayne stands on a site where his bushfire-damaged home once stood on November 24, 2020 in Tumbarumba, Australia. Second-generation winemaker and owner of boutique wine label 'Obsession Wines', Adrian Brayne lost his home, equipment and 10 hectares of vineyards (planted in the 1990s) in what has become known as the Black Summer Bushfires. He was on track for a promising harvest in February of chardonnay, pinot gris, pinot noir and viognier. Nestled in the picturesque countryside of Tumbarumba, a historic timber town on the western edge of the Snowy Mountains, the community faced two large fire fronts that joined together to create a mega-fire in January this year. Adrian remained on the property to fight and subsequently saved his cellar door and processing building. COVID-19 has since compounded the loss with its dramatic impact on the dining, events and tourism industry, nine months on Adrian is facing an estimated 90% financial loss and is living in a mobile van. However, despite the hardships of the past year, Adrian remains positive about the future and continues to clear bushfire affected trees on his land with preparations in place to replant, a process that will take five years to produce grapes. In the short term, he will look to source from local growers and continue to process wine for his label and others, his remaining stock that escaped damage and available online is helping to keep the business moving along with a percentage of proceeds going back to his local community. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)