Barossa Valley Estate goes back to its roots

Source: HWT Image Library

BAROSSA Growers Holdings has seized control of Barossa Valley Estate.

Constellation Wines Australia, which will soon change its name to Accolade Wines, announced yesterday it had sold the 50 per cent share in BVE to Barossa Growers Holdings.

Chief executive Troy Christensen said the sale reflected Accolade's strategy of focusing on its core brands, such as Banrock Station, Berri, Hardys, Houghton, Omni, Stanley and Renmano and its premium portfolio including Arras, Leasingham, Yarra Burn and Bay of Fires.

Reynella-based Accolade, also formerly known as BRL Hardy, was sold for $230 million in February to Sydney-based private equity firm CHAMP.

The company is the largest wine producer in Australia, employing about 1800 employees across Australia, the UK, Asia, South Africa and Europe.

Barossa Growers Holdings chairman Andrew Kleinig, said BGH had enjoyed a fruitful partnership with initially BRL Hardy, and later CWAU, but now was the time to take the opportunity to assume full ownership of BVE.

"BGH looks forward to working with CWAU during the transition to alternative distribution and bottling services," Mr Kleinig said.

BVE produces a range of red wines, with the majority of the grapes sourced from its grower shareholders.

Wines produced included the E&E and Ebenezer ranges.

BVE was set up in 1984 by a consortium of wine grape growers.