Randall Wine Group starts its spending spree

Australia’s largest private luxury vineyard holder, The Randall Wine Group, is set for a spending spree and its first acquisitions are the Penny's Hill and Black Chook brands from McLaren Vale.

Executive Chairman and Proprietor, Warren Randall says they are the first of many as it seeks new export markets following the imposition of Chinese tariffs last year. He says the business intends to acquire 50,000 to 100,000 dozen branded cases in Australia’s premium wine growing districts, with a strong export sales focus over the next ten years.

Prior to the tariffs, RWG's ambitions were to sell 50 per cent of the wine it produced annually to China, as both premium bulk and bottled wine.

Mr Randall said, “Australian winemakers, invested heavily in the Chinese wine market for 10 years, supported by a free trade agreement with that country”.

RWG's jewel in the crown is Seppeltsfield Estate in the Barossa but the group has total holdings of 3,318 hectares across eight premium wine growing districts, including the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, Langhorne Creek, Currency Creek, Coonawarra, Eden Valley. It made its first acquisition in the Riverland last year.

The Penny’s Hill and Black Chook brands in McLaren Vale command a premier location between McLaren Vale and Willunga, suiting a wine tourism village, and their exports comprise 60 per cent of total sales.

Founder Tony Parkinson, has built a strong platform in North America, particularly Canada. The Penny’s Hill and Black Chook brands are exported to 15 different countries.

Mr Parkinson said, “In the face of advancing years and with no clear family succession plan, it was time to find a new custodian for the 1855 estate. Warren has a proven track record of acquiring, respecting and injecting enthusiasm and energy into historic 19th century Australian wine estates with provenance.”

“I trust that he will carry on my legacy and springboard the brands to greater international success under his leadership.”

The Penny’s Hill brand won the World’s Best Cabernet at the Concours International des Cabernet in 2016 .