Angove family celebrates 140 years of winemaking

 

Angove Family Winemakers is this year celebrating 140 years of family winemaking, reinforcing its position as one of Australia’s most enduring and progressive wine producers.

Founded in 1886 and now operated by the fifth generation of family members, the South Australian winery has evolved from its humble origins in Tea Tree Gully to be an exporter to over 20 markets. 

The milestone comes as the business continues to sharpen its focus on premium McLaren Vale wines and certified organic production, two pillars driving its current growth strategy.

Chairman John Angove said the anniversary reflects both legacy and forward momentum.

“Reaching 140 years is a proud milestone, but it’s also about what comes next," he said. 

"We’ve invested in premium vineyards, organic production and building a portfolio relevant to today’s consumer.”

Strategic expansion into McLaren Vale over the past two decades, including the Warboys Vineyard and cellar door has underpinned the company’s move into premium wines, with flagship releases such as The Medhyk, Warboys and, most recently, Brightlands leading the charge.

At the same time, Angove has cemented its position as one of Australia’s leading certified organic wine producers, with the Angove Organic, Wild Olive and Naturalis ranges prominent.

Joint Managing Director Richard Angove said the business remains focused on balancing scale with premium growth.

“We have a strong foundation in the Riverland, and the opportunity is clearly in premiumisation and provenance. Building our McLaren Vale base and organic offer are key to that story.”

Remaining privately owned, Angove sees its independence as a key competitive advantage in a consolidating global market.

Joint Managing Director Victoria Angove said: “The wine industry at its heart is about people and community. We have been very fortunate to have had a committed and hard-working team contributing to all areas of the business for so many years. 

"Our shared commitment to delivering consistently high-quality products to our customers strengthens year on year. We’re equally grateful to our great suppliers, partners and of course our customers.”

Family-owned St Agnes celebrates a century of distilling

Family-owned St Agnes Distillery is celebrating a historic milestone in 2025 - the start of its 100th distilling season.

The Angove family operation is Australia’s oldest family-run distillery and a pioneer of world-class spirits in the country.

To celebrate its history, the Riverland distillery will host a series of events in Adelaide and Renmark where brandy enthusiasts and connoisseurs can immerse themselves in the heritage of distilling.

This calendar of events will include a number of exclusive tastings and dining experiences at this year’s Tasting Australia presented by Journey Beyond in early May.

“Reaching 100 distilling seasons is an incredible achievement,” said Richard Angove, co-managing director of St Agnes Distillery.

“This milestone reflects the dedication, skill, and passion of generations of distillers who have worked tirelessly to craft exceptional brandy right here in the Riverland.”


 

Chief winemaker Tony Ingle with Victoria and Richard Angove

Founded in 1925 by Carl Angove, the distillery has grown from humble beginnings to become a cornerstone of Australian spirits manufacture.

The business is now led by the fifth generation of the Angove family, which is also known for its wine production.

“This 100th season is more than a celebration of our history - it’s a moment to look to the future,” Richard Angove said.

“We’re proud to honour our legacy while embracing what’s next for Australian spirits. Our commitment to hard work, tenacity and craftsmanship remains as strong today as it was a century ago.”

While best known for its exceptional brandy, St Agnes Distillery’s range also includes Blind Tiger Organic Gin and single malt Camborne Whisky.

Fifth-generation vignerons produce new flagship shiraz

 

For five generations now the Angove family has been making wines to suit all palates and all budgets.

The Angoves are a family that go about their business with a minimum of fuss, but with plenty of attention to detail. 

Now the family has unveiled a new flagship wine: the 2000 Brightlands Shiraz.

Angove Family Winemakers was founded in 1886 by Dr William Thomas Angove after his young family emigrated from Cornwall in England to Tea Tree Gully in the Adelaide foothills.

After establishing his medical practice, Dr Angove soon found himself experimenting with winemaking, at first using what he produced as tonics for his patients.

He quickly found a growing customer base, turning his hobby into a business and increasing his vineyard holdings from four to 40 hectares.

His son "Skipper" Angove 'Skipper' developed a small hobby enterprise to a multi-regional wine business producing a diverse range ofwines for both local and export markets.

Skipper was instrumental in establishing the first-ever winery and distillery in Renmark, in the Riverland, in 1910.

He crafted Angove Family Winemakers into a significant player, producing fine, still, and fortified wines and developing one of Australia's most iconic spirits St Agnes Brandy.

Now in its fifth generation of family leadership, Angove Family Winemakers is "dedicated to embracing evolutionary ideas, with a focus on maintaining relevancy and ensuring sustainability for future generations to come".

The new Brightlands Shiraz ($125) is a blend of the very best single barrel from McLaren Vale vineyards: Angels Rise at Clarendon and Warboys, just south of the township of McLaren Vale.

The family says that combined "they give rise to a remarkable intensity, depth, concentration and ageing potential".

"We are fortunate to be the custodians of two unique vineyards," says fifth generation vigneron Richard Angove. "They are amazing sites on their own but when blended take things to the next level."

Big and dense at first, the wine opens up in the glass to reveal layers of muscularity with fruit intensity and structure. It finishes satisfyingly smooth and impressively balanced. 

I liked it a lot. 

The name Brightlands Shiraz pays homage to the birthplace of Angove Family Winemakers - cellars originally constructed in 1875.

See www.angove.com.au