NEW ZEALAND winemaker Delegat’s Group has spread its wings to Australia. It has bought Barossa Valley Estate in South Australia for A$25 million, to be settled in June. Barossa, a grape grower-owned co-op, went into receivership in January.
Australian media report that Woolworths had also bid for the winemaker through its subsidiary Cellarmasters.
Delegat’s has bought Barossa’s modern 5000 tonne winery and a 41ha vineyard on 80ha. The deal includes Barossa Valley Estate and E&E brands and grape grower contracts.
Delegat’s managing director Jim Delegat describes the acquisition as “an ideal fit with the group’s portfolio of high quality wine assets. We look forward to the opportunity of building one of the world’s great shiraz brands from the iconic Barossa region.”
Barossa Valley is recognised globally for producing world-class shiraz.