PAARL – A devastating wildfire that tore through the Wemmershoek and Klein Drakenstein Mountains over the weekend has left one of the region’s premier wine estates counting the cost of extensive damage.
Avondale Wine Estate, a certified organic producer in the Drakenstein area, confirmed this week that approximately 120 hectares of the property had been affected by the blaze, including roughly 20 hectares of organic vineyards representing about 30% of the estate’s total vineyard footprint.
“Our first priority was, and remains, the safety of our people and livestock,” said proprietor Johnathan Grieve. “All families and staff were evacuated, 30 horses were safely relocated to Mistico, dogs placed with friends and family, and our cattle moved to secure areas.”
The fire, which burned under extreme conditions throughout the weekend, threatened multiple properties across the mountainous wine-growing region before a late shift in wind direction helped contain its spread. Firefighting teams from the Drakenstein Fire Department, Winelands Fire services, Drakenstein Farm Watch and VMS worked alongside estate staff, neighbouring farmers and volunteers to battle the flames.
Beyond the vineyards, the estate sustained significant losses to its biodiversity corridors, with large swathes of indigenous fynbos destroyed and an estimated 500 planted trees lost, including the farm’s noted camellia walkway. Farm infrastructure took a heavy toll as well, with irrigation systems damaged and equipment destroyed, including a tractor and water sprayer. Several hectares of buchu and three plum orchards were also consumed by the fire.
The immediate impact on wine production is expected to be substantial. Estate management anticipates reduced volumes from the 2026 harvest due to the loss of vineyard area and potential smoke taint, particularly affecting red varieties. Longer-term implications for production over the next five years are likely as replanting and recovery efforts get underway.
Despite the scale of destruction, Grieve expressed gratitude for the community response. “We are deeply grateful to our staff and friends who stood shoulder to shoulder in the face of the fire, many working tirelessly for more than 24 hours,” he said.
Despite the devastation, Avondale however was able to open it’s doors this week for wine tastings, as well as their award winning Faber Restaurant.
The estate confirmed it remains committed to rebuilding while authorities continue to assess the full extent of damage across the broader Drakenstein region.
ALSO READ: WATCH | Fires devastate wine farms in Franschhoek, Wemmershoek areas
