In yet another setback for the Adelaide Hills wine region, several events at this weekend’s Crush Festival have been cancelled because of forecast high temperatures.
However, most wineries are pressing ahead with events at this stage.
Golding, Murdoch Hill, Mount Bera and Pike & Joyce are among those that have cancelled events.
“It is with a heavy heart that we let you know that we have made the difficult decision to cancel our Crush Summer Sunday Session event this Sunday,” Golding said on Instagram.
“Due to the extreme heat and fire weather conditions forecast for the Mount Lofty Ranges on Sunday we feel that it is the safest thing to do to ensure the wellbeing of our staff and our patrons.
“Unfortunately with the conditions that are forecast we are concerned that we won’t be able to keep you all cool enough or out of harm’s way should the unthinkable happen and a fire breaks out.
“What a shame that, in this mildest of summers, our Crush day turns out to be a scorcher!”
Sidewood Estate in Hahndorf is one winery going ahead with activities.
“We’ve got misting beds that will be out on the decks and a mister sprinkler system that will extend to the bark (outdoor area),” owner Cassandra Inglis told The Advertiser.
“This means that if the weather is extreme, we can stay open but will close if it does change to catastrophic.”
It is not the first time the heat has played havoc with the Crush Festival, with many events from the 2018 program cancelled because of heatwave conditions.
On 20 December in 2019 the Cudlee Creek bushfire destroyed several wineries and many vineyards in the Adelaide Hills.
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting 38 degrees for Mount Barker on Saturday and 42 on Sunday.
Photo: Adelaide Hills Wine Region Instagram.