Caravan fire death at McLaren Vale winery

Diedre Holt, the partner of McLaren Vale wine producer Simon Hackett, died this morning in a fire at the winery.

Ms Holt was in a caravan at the back of the winery at Simon Hackett Wines when it caught fire at about 6am.

She was closely involved in the management and operations of the winery.

‘She was a cheery, happy person, an everything person,’ a business colleague, who did not want to be named, said.

‘She was involved in all aspects of the business from winemaking to selling the wine.’

A police spokesperson said that the fire was not suspicious and that a report would be prepared for the South Australian coroner.

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Written by Chris Snow in Adelaide