Casella Acquires Large Group of Premium South Australian Vineyards

Casella Family Brands has acquired Shaw Family Vintners, one of the largest owners of vineyards in South Australia.

The sale will give Casella access to premium cool climate vineyard in Fleurieu Peninsular (432 hectares), McLaren Vale (42 ha) and Currency Creek (390 ha).

The deal also includes the winery, trademark and stock - brands such as Shaw Family Vintners, Stonemason, Steeple Jack, Single Vineyard, Emetior and RMS - established by the Shaw family over the past 35 years.

“This is primarily a strategic investment in a large quantity of high quality vineyards. As we currently buy approximately 40 per cent of the fruit supply from these sites it increases efficiencies and adds another dimension to our portfolio of already established vineyards,” said Managing Director John Casella.

“The fruit is well suited to CFB’s portfolio of premium wines characterised by having rich fruit flavours with intense colour; it therefore supports our ongoing premiumisation strategy and desire to create regionally distinct wines from premium South Australian wine regions.”

Under the management of Peter Bird, SA Vineyard Manager, Casella Family Brands intends to further unlock the vineyards full potential.

Peter Bird said, “This acquisition makes perfect sense for CFB as it increases our grape to glass control and therefore quality assurance in our premium wines. Furthermore, it spreads the risk of fruit supply being adversely affected by climatic conditions elsewhere within South Australia.”

As well as investing in its owned fruit resource, CFB will continue to place a huge amount of value on its relationships with grape growers across the country.

John Casella added; “Our relationship with growers continues to be of paramount importance and they remain integral to all of our brands; [yellow tail], Brand’s Laira, Morris Wines and Peter Lehmann Wines.

“As our company continues to grow, our grower supply base is also expanding. It is an exciting time for the company as we increase our footprint in South Australia through both owned and grower sourced fruit supply.”