A Paarl wine estate ravaged by wildfire earlier this year has launched a limited-edition wine to support its recovery, with all proceeds dedicated to replanting vineyards and restoring biodiversity.

Avondale Wine Estate has released The Avondale Phoenix 2018, a Bordeaux-style blend inspired by the indigenous protea plants that began regenerating in the estate’s biodiversity corridors shortly after the devastating January blaze.

The fire destroyed approximately 120 hectares of the certified organic estate, including 20 hectares of vineyards representing 30% of Avondale’s total vineyard area. The estate also lost 500 trees, irrigation systems, and farm equipment.

Co-owner Johnathan Grieve said the protea’s natural response to fire became a symbol for the estate’s recovery. “The protea, an indigenous plant growing within our biodiversity corridors, was already responding. Its seed heads, shaped by fire, were opening. Seeds were falling onto burnt, mineral-rich soil, beginning again only once the land was ready to receive new life,” Grieve said.

The protea’s image features on the wine’s label as a symbol of renewal.

Proceeds from the limited-release wine will fund the replanting of fire-damaged vineyards and restoration of soils, vines, and irrigation systems. The estate will also use funds to continue its reforestation programme, replacing indigenous and other trees suited to the Avondale environment.

Over three decades, Avondale had planted more than 3 000 trees before the fire destroyed 500 of them, including the estate’s camellia walkway.

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“Renewal does not erase loss but honours it, transforming devastation into the conditions for growth. This is how nature heals and how we choose to move forward: with patience, care and deep respect for the land,” Grieve said.

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The estate is also accepting direct contributions towards its tree-planting initiative.

The January fire burned through the Wemmershoek and Klein Drakenstein Mountains under extreme conditions, threatening multiple properties before a late wind shift helped contain its spread. Firefighting teams from the Drakenstein Fire Department, Winelands Fire services, Drakenstein Farm Watch, and VMS worked with estate staff and volunteers to battle the blaze.

Avondale anticipates reduced wine volumes from the 2026 harvest due to vineyard losses and potential smoke taint affecting red varieties. Production impacts are expected to continue over the next five years during replanting and recovery.

The estate remains operational, with its tasting room and award-winning Faber Restaurant open to visitors.

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