HARVESTING is about to begin in the NSW Hunter Valley and yesterday a delegation from the winemaking dynasties visited the grieving Drayton family, offering their condolences and support.

As investigators picked through the charred remains of the cellar door building at Drayton Family Wines, friends and neighbours were keen to ensure that despite the loss of chief winemaker Trevor Drayton, 52, the show would go on.

Winemaker Brian McGuigan said the explosion on Thursday that killed the vigneron and a welder referred to as Eddie had rocked the community.

“We were there as close friends and neighbours, to assist the family in whatever way possible, to ensure the calamity that has occurred does not impede their ability to pick and harvest the 2008 vintage,” he said.

Mr Drayton’s brother John thanked the public. “We are still in shock at our loss but we have also been very touched by the community and public support which we have received,” he said in a statement. “We extend our thanks to police, fire brigade, ambulance officers and especially the Westpac rescue helicopter. Their professionalism and sensitivity has been outstanding.”

Mr Drayton also extended the family’s well-wishes to William Rikard-Bell, 27, who sustained burns to 80 per cent of his body. “We understand that the condition of our outstanding young winemaker, Will Rikard-Bell, is improving and we are hopeful of a full recovery for him.”

Mr Rikard-Bell became engaged to local veterinary surgeon Kimberley Booker at Christmas. Ms Booker was at his bedside in Sydney’s Concord Hospital, where he was in a serious but stable condition. Police refused to release the name of the dead welder — an employee of Prefab Engineering. A senior figure in theindustry who had employed the tradesman said: “Eddie was a great guy.”

John Drayton extended his condolences to the welder’s family. “We are also very conscious of the loss of another life in this tragedy, and my family’s thoughts are with his loved ones.”