How Australia's Tourism Industry Is Recovering a Year After the Devastating Bushfires

"In the Hunter Valley wine region north of Sydney, where up to 80% of the grape crop was assessed as smoke-affected, respite for some growers came from Archie Rose Distilling Co., which agreed to buy around 50 tons of tainted grapes and turn it into spirits, including a Shiraz beverage, which sold out in a day, and a smoky brandy. "Hearing the stories of people putting their heart and soul into their grapes and not being able to use them was heartbreaking, so we wanted to do something support them," says master distiller Dave Withers. "The brandy will be ready in a few years, so we're looking forward to that and again being able to tell the story of the growers behind it." - Travel + Leisure Editors