A million dollars is a tonne of money in anyone's estimation, and two generous donations of this calibre will go a long way to help bush fire victims.
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In a surprise announcement, Yenda's Yellow Tail Wines has pledged US$1 million (AU$1.4 million) to be split evenly between the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) Australia and the Jose Andres World Central Kitchen.
The family are deeply saddened by the huge level of loss caused by the fires and we want to help where we can.
- The Casella family.
The donation was revealed by the CEO of United States importer Deutsch Family Wine and Spirits during an appearance on Rachael Ray's American TV show.
The Rachael Ray Foundation then matched the million-dollar donation, dividing it between the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), José Andrés World Central Kitchen and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
Casella Family Brands, owners of Yellow Tail Wines, said the money was given to those impacted by the disasters to help out in any way they could.
"The family are deeply saddened by the huge level of loss caused by the fires and we want to help where we can," the Casella family said in a statement to The Area News on Tuesday.
"For generations the Casella family have worked in agriculture and the land is therefore very close to our hearts."
The chosen charities will help the people, animals and habitats that have been affected by this natural disaster.
In assistance stretching beyond monetary aid, Casella Family Brands have also offered support to more than 60 vineyards and wineries also suffering damages and losses due to the fires.
Casella's will lend a hand in the Barossa by processing fruit, offering wine storage facilities and donating wine bottles from their Peter Lehmann winery in the Adelaide Hills region.
For Yellow Tail Wines it's business as usual for the 2020 vintage with the first grapes already starting to come into the winery. But they themselves weren't completely untouched by the fires.
"We are able to recover the loss of grapes due to our longstanding relationships with Peter Lehmann Winery growers," a spokeswoman said.
"Work is now underway to restore the vineyard."
In South Australia and Victoria, the brand's wineries are now all operating as usual.
The Barossa region is unaffected and no Peter Lehmann growers have been impacted by the fires in South Australia.