Since Australia’s wildfire season started last July, we’ve watched in horror as the blazes have gone from destructive to deadly. The catastrophic bushfires have only been gaining momentum, and as of now, over 3,000 homes have been destroyed and 28 lives have been claimed.
It’s hard to know what to do, and it never feels like enough. But every little bit truly does make a difference, and as such, we’ve compiled a few natural wine-related fundraisers past and future in Australia and abroad to add to your plans. Raise a glass to the brave folks in Australia, keep an eye on #restaurantsforrelief to find an event close to you, or visit Australian Red Cross, Salvation Army Australia, the NSW Rural Fire Service, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society Australia to donate directly.
Bar Rochford, Canberra, Australia, Jan. 10 – 31 “If you feel like donating we have a @nswrfs jar near our till. We’re also continuing our December pledge to allocate $4 from every glass of @mallaluka_wines Fiano/Viognier for the whole of January to the @nswrfsf” (Via Instagram.)
Congress Wine, Victoria, Australia, Jan 10 – 31 “To support the recovery and ongoing firefighting efforts, for the month we are donating 100% of all sales of our delicious pig head sanga to the bushfire disaster appeal @cfavic @wildlifevictoria. Come down, have a sanga and help us show those that need our help, we care.” (Via Instagram.)
Franklin Resturant & Bar, Tasmania, Australia, Jan. 19 “We all want to help. So we’re throwing a big ol honker of a party. […] we are donating 100% of sales for this event to the WIRES and CFA.” (Via Instagram.)
Bathers Pavilion, New South Wales, Australia, Jan. 20 “Join us for a fundraising dinner on Monday 20th January. All proceeds will go to NSW Rural Fire Service, WIRES Wildlife Rescue and The Red Cross. There will be an auction, entertainment and a 4 course $220 menu with matching wines.” (Via Instagram.)
Vue de Monde, Melbourne, Australian, Jan. 20 “On Monday January 20, chefs @mrniland & @hughsallen will be cooking fish & chips lunch at @vuedemonde to raise funds for the Australian bushfire relief effort. 100% of the proceeds from the lunch will be donated to the Australian Red Cross’ Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund to support those whose lives have been devastated by the fires.” (Via Instagram.)
Milk Beach London, London, United Kingdom, Jan. 25 “Save the date. It’s time for our annual Australia Day event. However, with the devastating bushfires in Australia, this year things will be a little different. £1 from every wine, cocktail and dish sold at the event will be donated to Red Cross Australia’s bushfire appeal.” (Via Instagram.)
Brawn Food and Wine, London, UK, Jan. 26 “We are re-opening for Sunday lunch service for one day only – 26th January. All proceeds going to selected Bushfire relief funds. Seats will be £45 a person for an extremely generous set lunch menu, with an Aussie slant. Wines from all over the region on special prices.” (Via Instagram.)
The Laughing Heart, London, UK, Event on Jan. 26. and donation opportunities throughout Jan. “We are also pouring a load of Australian wines right now, £1 of every glass and £5 of every bottle will go to support our needy winemaker friends in South Australia. We are throwing a party on Sunday the 26th of January. All proceed to First Nations of Australia and wildlife Initiatives.” (Via Instagram.)
Wineries of Orange, New South Wales, Australia, Jan. 26 “100% of funds raised will be donated to NSW RFS and bushfire victims. In the spirit of collaboration, we’re bringing some great chefs and wineries of Orange together, for a dinner and auction night. $180 per person includes – 5 course set-menu with paired wines and drink on arrival.”
Graft Wine Company and Portland Restaurant, London United Kingdom, Jan. 28 “We are hosting a very special Vinteloper wine dinner on 28th January to raise funds for the Adelaide Hills producers devastated by the bushfires that hit the region before Christmas. Tickets for this special occasion are £195, with all proceeds going to the Adelaide Hills Wine Region Fire Appeal. There will also be a small silent auction on the night to help raise further funds for this appeal.” (More info.)
Yellow, Sydney, Australia, Jan 29. “The Bentley Group will be rallying like so many others have already in response to the bushfire crisis, by bringing together some of Australia’s top chefs for a very special installment of our Yellow Presents series […] With wine by: Andrew Guard, Harkham Wines, Sami-Odi, Vinous Solutions, Giorgio de Maria, Vintage & Vine.” (Via Instagram.)
Embla, Melbourne, Australia, donation opportunities throughout Jan. “We are as devastated as everyone at all the tragedy that is unfolding around us this summer so to do our bit we will donate 50c from every glass of wine sold this month to the bushfire appeal. Let’s hope this Dry January is the wettest one yet.” (Via Instagram.)
The Press Room Wine Bar, Victoria, Australia, donation opportunities throughout Jan. “$5 from each cocktail poured till the end of January” (Via Facebook.)
Timbre Kitchen at Velo Wines, Tasmania, Australia, donation opportunities throughout Jan. “Timbre will be donating $4 from every banquet purchased for the rest of January to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital.“ (Via Instagram.)
Ducksoup, London, UK, donation opportunities throughout Jan. and Feb. “During Jan. and Feb. we are adding a voluntary £1 to all bills to help raise money for the rescue operation.” (Via Instagram.)
Auction by Gus Gluck, co-founder Quality Wines, Online “It’s hard to know how to help, but here is one way: Auctioning off some of the rarest and most delicious Australian wines we can find to raise money for WIRES Wildlife Rescue Emergency Fund and the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.”
Bushfire Support Box by Good Pair Days, Online “We have purchased wines from fire-affected Adelaide Hills wineries for a special ‘Bushfire Support Box’, with all profits from these packs to be donated to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal. It’s our chance to support some directly affected wineries and contribute our part to the greater rebuilding effort.”
Laura Jaye Cramer is a freelance writer based in California and has written for SF Weekly, GOOD, and PAPER Magazine. Read more Laura Jaye Cramer for Sprudge Wine.
Top image by Saeed Khan/Getty Images via W Magazine
