Shippers drop $1 million worth of wine

ADELAIDE, Australia, July 22 (UPI) -- An Australian winemaker said a forklift malfunction by a shipping company resulted in the destruction of 462 cases, more than $1 million worth, of wine.

Sparky Marquis said he learned of the destruction of the 2010 Mollydooker Velvet Glove shiraz, accounting for more than one third of his annual production, when an official from Kerry Logistics called to explain it had fallen more than 18 feet to the ground when a forklift malfunctioned in the loading process, The (Adelaide) Advertiser reported Friday.

"We just couldn't believe it," Marquis said. "As you can imagine, this wine is our pride and joy. To see it accidentally destroyed, and not consumed, has left us all a bit numb."

Marquis said he is in the process of conferring with insurance agents to try to minimize financial losses.