The Australian wine industry has come to the aid of Coonawarra winemaker Sue Bell whose winery needs cash to survive.
Sue – one of Australia’s most respected winemakers – owns Bellwether Wines in Coonawarra.
Friends took to social media to help raise some funds needed for the business to survive.
Sue has been overwhelmed by the response.
Taking to Instagram on Saturday night Sue said she was “76 percent of the way there”.
“It’s a week since I told people I have got myself in a bit of a pickle and I cannot believe what has occurred since then,” she says.
“I’m just really grateful.
“It means a lot to have the support of people I care about and have known throughout my career.
“Thank you so much.”
Sue is a very giving person and in many ways the social conscience of the Australian wine community.
She was on the cover of WBM – Australia’s Wine Business Magazine in 2014.
The wine industry is in crisis with an oversupply of wine, falling consumption and rising business costs.
The challenges have been exacerbated in recent weeks by the rising cost of fuel linked to the Middle East conflict.
• You can buy some Bellwether wine here.