Kyle Sandilands’ incredible act of kindness for bushfire-stricken farmers

The shock jock with a heart of gold: Kyle Sandilands’ incredible act of kindness for bushfire-stricken farmers

He’s known for his bawdy sense of humour, but Kyle Sandilands has a heart of gold.

The KIIS FM radio presenter, 49, offered a lifeline to grape farmers impacted by the bushfires by buying their stock of smoke-affected grapes.

Kyle, who runs the Nueva Sangria drinks business with his girlfriend Tegan Kynaston, bought the grapes from his producers because they couldn’t be used to make wine.

Generous: Kyle Sandilands, who runs the Nueva Sangria drinks business, offered a lifeline to grape farmers impacted by the bushfires by buying their stock of smoke-affected grapes

He is now using those grapes to make a distinctive smoky gin, which goes on sale early next year.

‘All those grapes that got affected by the bushfires, I bought them all from the farmers,’ Kyle said on the Mediaweek podcast last week.

‘They were going to get tossed or used as pig food, So I said to our winemakers, “What can you make with a smoky grape?”

‘And they were like, “Not wines, they’re a write-off. The only thing we could do is a smoky gin out of smoke-affected grapes.”‘

New purpose: The radio host, 49, bought the grapes from his producers because they couldn't be used to make wine. He is now using those grapes to make a distinctive smoky gin, which goes on sale next year. Pictured: fires in the Adelaide Hills during this year's bushfire season

New purpose: The radio host, 49, bought the grapes from his producers because they couldn’t be used to make wine. He is now using those grapes to make a distinctive smoky gin, which goes on sale next year. Pictured: fires in the Adelaide Hills during this year’s bushfire season

He continued: ‘I said, “F**k it, let’s do it.” The farmers have got to get paid one way, so we bought those smoke-affected grapes and that gin comes out end of January, beginning of February.

‘Those farmers, to see them lose again due to bushfires… I thought if other [distilleries and wineries] can make hand sanitiser, surely we can do something, so we decided to make this smoky gin.’

Kyle, who rarely drinks, teamed up with Tegan and her family to create Nueva Sangria last year, and has since found success in the alcohol market.

Business: Kyle, who rarely drinks, teamed up with his girlfriend Tegan Kynaston and her family to create Nueva Sangria last year, and has since found success in the alcohol market

Business: Kyle, who rarely drinks, teamed up with his girlfriend Tegan Kynaston and her family to create Nueva Sangria last year, and has since found success in the alcohol market

In October, the sangria won the Local Luvva campaign held by alcohol chain BWS, beating out 300 other local producers.

Kylie told Adelaide Now: ‘I’m not much of a drinker, but I really do love this sangria. 

‘Typically, we have it when we have barbecues with friends. It’s a great refreshing drink in the afternoon and it can easily be matched with any food.’

Tegan added: ‘This is a great opportunity for us to take Nueva Sangria to a new level and give more people the opportunity to enjoy it.’

Success: In October, the sangria won the Local Luvva campaign held by alcohol chain BWS, beating out 300 other local producers. Pictured: Kyle and Tegan on December 11

Success: In October, the sangria won the Local Luvva campaign held by alcohol chain BWS, beating out 300 other local producers. Pictured: Kyle and Tegan on December 11