Marlborough wineries hit by earthquake

Several wineries in Marlborough, New Zealand, have been affected by a 6.5 magnitude earthquake that struck the region yesterday afternoon.

Yealands Estate in Marlborough suffered leaking tanks and smashed bottles from the quake

The epicenter of the quake, which struck at 5.09pm on Sunday, was registered 12 miles east of Seddon in the Awatere Valley.

Six vineyard workers abandoned their Seddon home last night, after the quake demolished part of a wall.

“They were terrified. The house is still habitable and they are allowed to stay here but I don’t think they will,” said owner of the property, Kurt Flowerday.

“The power lines were hitting together and exploding, we’ve still got no power,” he added.

Philip Gregan, chief executive for New Zealand Winegrowers, confirmed to the drinks business that nobody had been hurt in the quake.

Smashed wine bottles at Seddon Super Value

“There has been a little damage in some Marlborough wineries, and at this stage as far as we know it has been characterised as ‘very minor’”, he said.

According to WineSearcher.com, winemaker Kim Crawford of Loveblock lost £25,500 worth of wine in the quake when a 40,000-litre tank of Sauvignon Blanc crashed to the ground.

Yealands Estate in Seddon got off more lightly, escaping with a small number of leaking tanks, a few smashed bottles and a handful of scared employees.

Residing on a fault line, the winery has been built to withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake.

Awatere Valley-based estate Clos Marguerite meanwhile, reported no damage from the quake.

Aftershocks have continued in the region, with a 5.2 magnitude earthquake registered in Marlborough at 10.47am today.

Supermarket Seddon Super Value experience superficial cracking and broken wine bottles but no major damage.

Marlborough Civil Defence has warned residents to to expect more aftershocks leading Blenheim residents to stock up on batteries, candles, bread and milk.