Two of Australia's storied family wineries celebrate together

Two of Australia's leading winemaking families got together this month to celebrate a decade of working together.

The Morris family from Rutherglen, in north-east Victoria, has been making bold reds and fortified wines since 1859. By 1885, Morris was reported to be the biggest wine producer in the southern hemisphere. 

Current winemaker Madden Morris is the sixth generation to hold the reins after taking over from his father David in the company's 165th year. He describes the family wines as "legacy in a glass". 

Casella Family Brands, from Yenda in the NSW Riverina, is Australia's largest family-owned beverage company. 

Founded in 1969, although the family sold grapes for decades before that, Casella is best known for selling over 10 million cases of [yellow tail] around the world each year and also owns labels including Peter Lehmann and Baileys of Glenrowan.

A decade ago, French conglomerate Pernod Richard Winemaker, the then owners of the Morris business, were keen to sell, and the Morris family was anxious to buy the business back - but lacked the cash.

Up stepped Casella boss John Casella, a long-time family friend, to acquire the rights.

In July 2016, Morris of Rutherglen was back in Australian hands, and the family regained control.

David Morris and John Casella 

David Morris told the 10th anniversary celebration how the Casellas had come to his family's aid.

“It was a very devastating decision that they [Pernod Ricard] made," he said. "It was the final nail that they could put into our coffin. We were making good sales, we were 70% table and sparkling wine and only 30% fortified wine at that point. We were a very small winery in their portfolio.

“When they made the decision, it came about very quickly, and they gave us a couple of weeks to find a buyer. Then we managed to get the deposit in the day before [the deadline]. It is now amazing to be back in family stewardship and have some longevity back in the brand.

“We went from devastating news to fantastic within about a month.”

Morris said Casella was one of the first friends he called, with the result that the historic winery returned to family stewardship and secure its long-term future as a partnership with the Cassela family.

“Morris is an Australian icon and we couldn’t allow it to be lost," John Casella told the event. "And to see where we are today, with the barrels in the cellar, this beautiful cellar door, none of this would have existed."

Over the past decade, Casella Family Brands has invested in the Morris of Rutherglen business, building on its cellar door offering and resuming long-lost distilling operations to produce world-class whiskies made by Scottish-born head distiller Darren Peck.

Morris is now a triple-threat destination offering wines, fortifieds and spirits. 

Its muscats and topaques are regarded among the best in the world and the Morrises have long championed the big red grape variety durif (aka petite sirah), which Madden Morris describes as "shiraz on steroids".

Guests at the event also enjoyed a tour of the Morris distillery - and the still built in 1933 - as well as a spectacular display of barrel charring. 

Visitors should not miss the aromatic - and atmospheric - old cellars.

 
# The writer was a guest of Morris of Rutherglen and Casella Family Wines.

Vinarchy now in total control

 

Here is one for wine industry nerds:

Giant global wine business Vinarchy has officially assumed full distribution of its portfolio of world-leading wine brands acquired form Pernod Ricard, including Jacob’s Creek, Stoneleigh, Church Road and Campo Viejo.

The transition, effective from September, marks a major milestone since the completion of the merger of Accolade Wines and Pernod Ricard Winemakers to create Vinarchy earlier this year.

These leading brands can now be ordered directly through Vinarchy in Australia and New Zealand, following the conclusion of a short transitional distribution arrangement with Pernod Ricard.

The transition is backed by dedicated local teams in both markets, including a newly formed commercial team in New Zealand under general manager Kiri Hyde. 

Andrew Clarke, managing director, Australia and Zealand at Vinarchy, said the change strengthens the company’s leadership position in wine and long-term commitment to growing the category.

“This is a major milestone for Vinarchy, enabling us to work even more closely with our trade partners across our portfolio of incredible brands.

“We are excited to be able to deliver an even stronger wine focus and offer for our customers and consumers and look forward to working together to grow the wine category.”

Vinarchy will continue to partner with Hancocks in New Zealand to distribute and represent the legacy Accolade portfolio of brands including Grant Burge, Hardy's, Mud House and Jam Shed.

Vinarchy was created in May 2025 through the merger of Accolade Wines and Pernod Ricard’s wine portfolios in Australia, New Zealand and Spain, making Vinarchy one of the world’s largest dedicated wine companies.

See www.vinarchy.com

Vinarchy rings in the changes, including closing Banrock Station

The new Vinarchy global wine business has only been in existence for a few weeks, but major changes are already afoot. 

Among the changes announced this week: 

* The new business will invest $30 million to establish its Rowland Flat winery in the Barossa as a centre of excellence for premium and sparkling winemaking.

* Berri Estates in the Riverland will become Vinarchy’s primary commercial winemaking, packaging, and warehousing hub.

* Winemaking currently undertaken at the St Hallett winery in the Barossa and Hardy’s Tintara winery in McLaren Vale will see production moved to Rowland Flat for the 2026 and 2027 vintages respectively.

* The Banrock Station visitor centre and wetlands will close. 

* The company's global headquarters will be in Adelaide. 

“Adopting this twin-hub structure at Berri Estates and Rowland Flat allows us to consolidate our resources and expertise, strengthening the business and ensuring we remain competitive in the face of ongoing challenges in the global wine market,” said Joe Russo, Vinarchy’s Chief Supply Officer. 

“These important changes represent Vinarchy’s commitment to building a stronger winemaking footprint in South Australia.

“Both St Hallett and Hardys are critical brands for Vinarchy and we recognise the rich local history they have in the Barossa and McLaren Vale. 

@While our winemaking will move, our commitment to quality wines, local sourcing and premium cellar door experiences for these brands do not change.

“These wines will be made with the same grapes from the same regions, by the same winemakers, just at another winery.”

Vinarchy says it is committed to maintaining a compelling and sustainable cellar door footprint by focusing investment behind its primary brand experiences in South Australia: Jacob’s Creek, St Hugo (top image), Hardys, St Hallett, Grant Burge, Katnook Estate and Petaluma.

As part of these plans, Rolf Binder and Banrock Station cellar door and restaurant operations will close, although vineyard and viticulture operations at these sites will be unaffected.

"Vinarchy recognises these changes may create uncertainty for team members and is committed to supporting its people as changes are implemented progressively over the next 12 months," Russo added.

“We are deeply mindful of the impact these changes may have on our people.

“Where roles are affected, we are committed to supporting our teams through redeployment opportunities to other locations in many cases, or, where necessary, redundancy and outplacement support. We will continue to consult closely with our teams over the coming months as we make this transition.”

Vinarchy says it remains committed to its long-standing partnerships with regional suppliers and premium grape growers across the Riverland, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, the Barossa and Coonawarra. 

Looking ahead, the newly appointed CEO of the merger between Accolade Wines and Pernod Ricard Winemakers Danny Celoni said: “I believe Vinarchy is well positioned to play a leading role in the future growth and expansion of the wine category. 

"Our rich heritage, combined with our established brands, capabilities, and unwavering commitment to customer and consumer centricity provides an exceptional platform for driving core category growth, differentiated innovation and value creation.”

Unrest in Champagne as workers strike

There is unrest at some of the major Champagne Houses with workers going on strike this week over pay rates and job security.

Workers at Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy Champagne houses in Reims walked out - and employees from Pernod Ricard’s G.H. Mumm and Perrier-Jouët joined the strike action, industry website www.just-drinks.com reported.

The protests highlighted growing discontent among staff in the LVMH wine and spirits arm.

Unions says that cost-cutting measures are putting jobs and livelihoods at risk.

While Pernod Ricard employees were also involved in the Reims demonstrations, the strike action from LVMH staff comes at a turbulent time for the group’s drinks division.

LVMH’s wine and spirits business is under financial strain following years of expansion. The Financial Times has reported the division made a loss of €1.5 billion in 2024. 

The downturn is blamed on aggressive price increases, underperforming acquisitions, and a costly push into direct-to-consumer channels. Sales have dropped back to near-2019 levels.

Pernod Ricard workers, meanwhile, protested outside the Mumm cellars.

Stéphane Levasseur, secretary of the economic and social committee at Mumm, told Just Drinks that around 60 Mumm employees took part in the strike.

He cited two key reasons for the stoppage: a failure to secure wage increases in annual negotiations and concerns over the “potential sale of Mumm by Pernod Ricard to another buyer”.

“There will certainly be other strike movements in the coming weeks,” Levasseur said. "And these will be amplified if the sale of Mumm Champagne is confirmed.”

Image: Milton Cogheil, Scop.io 

Vinarchy in SA: global wine giant has big plans for South African brands

The giant new Vinarchy wine business includes two South African brands known for producing affordable bottles.

Straight after taking over Pernod Ricard’s still wine portfolio in Australia, New Zealand and Spain, Vinarchy confirmed the new brand has big plans for Flagstone and Kumala brands, which were previously part of Accolade.

Accolade was bought out of effective bankruptcy two years ago by a consortium of international backers led by global investment house Bain & Co.

Kumala’s wines are produced in several key areas within the Western Cape, including Olifants River, Paarl, Stellenbosch and Worcester.

Flagstone, based at Somerset West, occupies the site of a former De Beers dynamite factory an sources fruit from vineyards that stretch from cool Walker Bay region to the warmer Darling district.

The South African labels - which offer the benefit of lower production costs - are part of a stable of brands including Jacob’s Creek, Hardys, St Hugo, Petaluma, St Hallett and Orlando from Australia; Brancott Estate, Stoneleigh, Church Road and Mud House from New Zealand; and Campo Viejo, Ysios, Tarsus and Azpilicueta from Spain.

“South African wine is an important category for our retail customers, particularly in Europe and the UK,” said Ben Clarke, Vinarchy’s executive chair.

“Flagstone and Kumala cater to that market. Our brands will continue to have their own identities under Vinarchy, with the benefit of being part of a global network.

“Through our global distribution network, we are incredibly proud to share our wines in almost every corner of the world,” Clarke told drinksbusiness.

“Our portfolio has something to offer everyone and every hip pocket, from premium fine wine to some of the world’s most popular global brands.”

So expect to see more of the South African brands on the global stage - particular in supermarkets and at lower price points.

“Labour accounts for 60% of any vineyard’s operating costs, and in the South African context, we have sufficient labour,” says Dr Erna Blancquaert, a lecturer at Stellenbosch University.

Major changes for the Australian wine industry

It has been a week of big changes in the Australian wine industry with the families behind Wirra Wirra and Ashton Hills acquiring star Adelaide Hills producer Hahndorf Hill, and Australian Wine Holdco Limited - a group of international investors - announcing the creation of Vinarchy, a new global wine company.

Vinarchy combines Accolade Wines and its multiple brands with the Australian, New Zealand and Spanish wine businesses formerly owned by Pernod Ricard. The new business is one of the largest wine companies in the world.

As reported first by Wine Business Monthly, the acquisition of Austrian varietals specialist Hahndorf Hill adds depth to the Wirra Wirra group’s presence in the Adelaide Hills,

Founded in 2002 by former Mulderbosch vigneron Larry Jacobs and Marc Dobson, Hahndorf Hill has built a loyal following for its wines, including being regarded as the leading Australian producer of Austrian white varietal gruner veltliner.

The six-hectare estate, just outside the historic village of Hahndorf, also features a popular cellar door and thriving wine tourism experience.

“At a time when the Australian wine industry is facing real challenges, we’re choosing to invest in quality, authenticity and long-term growth,” said Matthew Deller MW, CEO of Wirra Wirra.

“Larry and Marc have created something truly special. Hahndorf Hill fits perfectly with our vision for the future.”

Jacobs and Dobson will retire from the wine industry following the transition.

“Marc and I are thrilled that Wirra Wirra will be taking over the reins,” said Jacobs. “The Wirra Wirra team has all the skills and enthusiasm to take Hahndorf Hill to the next level.”

The Hahndorf Hill portfolio includes four expressions of grüner veltliner, and a range that includes blaufränkisch, St Laurent, and zweigelt. Hahndorf Hill wines are distributed nationally by Domaine Wine Shippers.

Vinarchy, meanwhile, will feature a large number of leading wine brands, ranging from Berri Estates, Hardy's, Jacob's Creek, Petaluma, Grant Burge, St Hallett, St Hugo and Orlando to New Zealand brands Stoneleigh, Brancott Estate, Church Road and Mud House.

It also includes Campo Viejo – the best selling Rioja brand, Ysios and Tarsus.

Helen McCarthy, from St Hallett, has been named to the new position as director of global winemaking at Vinarchy. 

Vinarchy is led by executive chairman Ben Clarke, who held a similar role at Accolade Wines. 

“We believe Vinarchy can lead the future of the wine category," Clarke said. "We will be a dedicated wine company, with scale, capability, reach, resources, talent, and an exceptional portfolio of leading brands. We want to redefine wine.

“The global wine industry faces serious structural challenges. Global wine consumption has been

declining for years, driven by changing consumer preferences and a shift to lower-alcohol drinks.

"Vinarchy will be bold and imaginative in meeting these challenges. With our enhanced scale, brand

investment program, innovation capability and industry-leading talent, we believe can meet many of

the challenges that the industry faces."

WBM reports the name Vinarchy combines Vin (the French word for wine), with Archy (from the Ancient Greek word for leadership). Together it means wine leadership.

Image: Matthew Deller, Larry Jacobs and Marc Dobson at Hahndorf Hill 

New owner for major Australian and New Zealand wine labels

 

Some of the most famous wine brands in Australia and New Zealand have a new owner.

Labels including Jacob's Creek, St Hugo and Brancott Estate will now come under the Accolade banner, if government approval is forthcoming.

Accolade Wines and Pernod Ricard reached an agreement concerning the sale of 10 key wine brands, Drinks Trade is reporting.

The deal, signed in Paris on Tuesday night, will see Accolade. Australia’s second-largest wine producer acquire Pernod Ricard’s Australian, New Zealand, and Spanish wine brand portfolios. 

“Combining Accolade Wines with the Pernod Ricard assets will create a more certain and financially sustainable future for the business, allowing us to better serve our customers, in more segments and more geographies," said Joshua Hartz, spokesperson for Australian Wine Holdco Limited (AWL).

AWL became the equity owners of Accolade Wines in February this year.

The transaction includes the sale of Australian brands Jacob’s Creek, Orlando, and St Hugo, New Zealand brands Stoneleigh, Brancott Estate and Church Road, and Spanish brands Campo Viejo, Ysios, Tarsus and Azpilicueta.

Accolade Wines will acquire all associated assets of each brand, which includes an integrated platform from vineyard to bottle alongside seven wineries, Drinks Trade says.

Accolade is an international wine business with headquarters in South Australia. It has been owned by the Carlyle Group, an American company, since 2018. Bain Capital now holds a controlling interest. 

It makes wines under labels including Hardys, St Hallett, Grant Burge and Banrock Station, as well as Mud House in New Zealand.