00:02This vintage, Lindy Wright is spending less time on the tractor and more time in the kitchen.
00:08Her side hustle has become an important source of income as she and her husband struggle to pay the bills.
00:16You try and think of all these schemes, you know, some way that you can get some extra money in.
00:21With higher temporary water prices and returns below the cost of production for wine grapes, the fuel crisis is biting.
00:29What do you do? Do you turn everything off and get a job at the local bottle shop or something?
00:35It's not just wine grapes being harvested. Many diesel-hungry machines are also needed for almond harvest.
00:42But even once the crop is collected, fuel and fertiliser prices continue to chew into the budget.
00:48We'll have to try and tighten up our belts, maybe on labour, not use as much, and look at our
00:53tree sprays, maybe cut one or two of those back.
00:56Untimely rain also isn't helping at harvest time.
00:59It's hand to mouth and fuel supplies are certainly assisting where they can.
01:04Consumers are expected to feel the pinch for some pantry staples, but prices for almonds and wine are unlikely to
01:11increase due to global oversupply for these commodities.
01:14And even though ingredients like butter are getting dearer, it's not enough to stop this grape growing baker.
01:21It's therapeutic for me. When I'm making cakes, I don't have to worry about what's going on out there.
01:26A welcome distraction at a challenging time.
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