About 5% of the Yarra Valley's vineyards were destroyed or damaged by the recent Victoria bushfires, but good quality wines will still be made in 2009, according to the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation (AWBC).

Quoting estimates from the Yarra Valley Wine Growers Association, the AWBC said the devastating fires in early February had damaged or destroyed 29 vineyards in the area ?a total area of about 140 hectares.

'A full assessment of the impact on the wine sector will not be made for some weeks, but the majority of wineries in Victoria are operating normally, with grapes being crushed and visitors welcome,' said the AWBC.