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Wine industry donates $240k in prizes for flood fundraiser

The Australian wine industry has helped to launch a national raffle to help raise funds for flood- and cyclone-affected victims.

Three hundred vineyards and wineries, many of whose crops were damaged by the floods, donated $240,000 worth of prizes for the raffle, including bottles of Wild Duck Creek Duck Muck Shiraz 2007 valued at $1320 each, and a $5000 trip to the Barossa Valley, with accommodation at Jacob’s Estate.

The Australian Wine Trade Flood Relief Raffle was initially launched by University of Queensland graduate Tyson Stelzer, who transformed his web site clearaboutwine.com.au into a fundraising headquarters.

According to Stelzer, a total of 400 organisations have contributed to the cause.

“I thought if we could raise $80,000 to 90,000 that would be incredible, but the offers of donations poured in and I had to cut it off,” Stelzer said.

“To see this support is simply overwhelming, and we are now hoping to raise $1 million.”

Raffle donor Jason Kaeser, whose vineyard and winery in the Lockyer Valley was completely destroyed by the flood, said he was astonished with the industry’s generosity, particularly given the tough times winemakers had faced recently.

“It is phenomenal that everyone has chipped in, and people you don’t know are coming up to you and offering to help out, it restores your faith in humanity,” he said.

“It hasn’t been an easy year, as winemakers face widespread crop damage from disease and humidity, let alone damage to vineyards from rain and floods.”

Following the draw, the full list of 200 winners will be posted on the Australian Wine Trade Flood Relief website.

Raffle tickets can be purchased for $30. A list of locations around the country selling paper tickets as well as descriptions of the 200 prizes can also be found online.

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