IT was only gutted by fire a month ago, but already Avoca's Pyreness Ridge Winery is climbing from the ashes.

In a major coup for the region owners Sally-Anne and Graeme Jukes were yesterday told one of Japan's largest airlines would stock their wine for first class passengers.

All Nippon Airlines selected the winery's 2005 Reserve Shiraz ahead of more than 70 other brands across the world including Italy and France.

Mrs Jukes said the wine had been safe in Melbourne at the time of the fire, and the contract was the first significant step in helping to rebuild their operations.

"We had actually forgotten about it because we have been busy trying to organise the winery again," she said.

"It was fantastic to win and beat wines from France and Italy. We are in China but Japan is expanding for us."

The couple learned the airline was looking for a new wine supplier while on an Austrade mission to Japan in May.

Their wine went through several rounds of testing before it was selected.

The September fire caused $1 million damage to the property and destroyed 17,000 bottles of wine, three tanks and a cellar.

Mrs Jukes said a planning application had been submitted to council and quotes were being sought from builders.

"It's the first step to getting back on our feet, it's really encouraging," she said.

"We have the planning permit in, and have got builders coming in this week and giving us quotes and we would be aiming to start rebuilding by December."