New custodian for Toolangi wine brand

Rochford Wines owner Helmut Konecsny has passed the winery’s Toolangi brand and vineyard assets on to his long-serving winemaker, Kaspar Hermann, and his family, in a major move in the Yarra Valley.

Konecsny said this ensures Toolangi remains a family-owned vineyard as it becomes an independent business.

Konecsny, who purchased Rochford in 2002, has sold the Toolangi brand and its vineyard assets to Hermann, the winemaker who has shaped its wines for years.

Toolangi will now operate independently under Hermann’s direction with Hermann continuing his role as winemaker for both houses.

Konecsny purchased the Toolangi brand from Garry and Julie Hounsell in 2017.

“Wine is made by people, not portfolios,” Konecsny said. “Kaspar has poured his heart into these wines. He has walked these rows through frost and heatwave, through hard vintages and great ones.

"A winery is not barrels and buildings. It is the people who give their lives to it. The proudest thing an owner can do is not to hold on. It is to hand over well, to the right hands. Toolangi is in the right hands.”

For Hermann, the transition fulfills a lifelong dream.

“Every winemaker carries a quiet dream that one day the wines they make might carry their own family’s name behind them,” Hermann said.

“Helmut has made that dream real for us. Nothing changes in the glass. The same vineyards, the same standards, the same hands on every vintage. 

"What changes is the heart behind the label. My children will grow up knowing their name is on a vineyard, and that is because one man chose loyalty over consolidation.”

New rookie owner for acclaimed Patina Wines

 

A wine industry newcomer has purchased leading Orange boutique winery Patina. 

Gerald Naef has sold the business he founded with his wife Angie 26 years ago to finance executive Rod Shields (above). 

Naef developed Patina into one of the Orange wine region’s leading chardonnay producers. 

“I still love making wine, but reality has caught up with me," he said. "I need to pursue some of my other ambitions before too many more birthdays pass.”

Shields has commenced a transition process.

A finance executive with qualifications in economics, accounting and business management, he has been completing his wine studies through Charles Sturt University over the past several years and worked vintage 2024 in Mudgee.

“It was time for me to take the next step and enter the wine industry," he said. "The Orange region is a highly attractive entry point, with a vibrant food and wine culture, growing base of winemaking expertise and an exceptional climate for producing premium quality cool-climate wines.” 

Naef will work with Shields over the next two years. 

“Having Gerald continue to manage the vineyard and guide the winemaking style is a crucial part of the brand’s ongoing success," Sheilds said. "His understanding of the site and attention to detail are second to none.”

The team that Naef has built up over recent years will continue to operate the business, including accomplished winemaker Nadja Wallington who maintains consultant winemaking responsibilities. 

“Having Gerald as a mentor is a real privilege,” Shields added. “I look forward to building on Gerald’s legacy, working with the Orange wine community, and preserving the integrity and heritage of the brand.”

The Patina wines continue to be available online at patinawines.com.au and via select independent bottle shops and restaurants.

New owner, new experiences on Picnic Island

Tasmania's exclusive Picnic Island retreat will re-open later this year as all-inclusive luxury private island experience with a private chef. 

Located off Tasmania's east coast, the retreat is just 800 meters offshore from Coles Bay near the beautiful Freycinet National Park. It is only accessible by water. 

Revamped Picnic Island expects to welcome its first guests in November after a major transformation.

Picnic Island boasts of offering "a rare combination of complete privacy, bespoke luxury service, and refined accommodations for up to six guests". 

An additional host suite will soon to be added, increasing total capacity to eight guests). The island's distinctive copper-clad lodge will be completely renovated in the months ahead. 

"We've created something truly exceptional that showcases the wild beauty of Tasmania while providing the comfort, style, and service that discerning travellers expect," said Mark Israel, the new owner of Picnic Island. 

"We aim to deliver highly personalised, transformative experiences that can't be replicated elsewhere -high impact for guests, low impact for the environment. Our vision is a luxury retreat where visitors can disconnect from the ordinary and reconnect with something extraordinary."

The experience will include private boat transfers, a personal chef who will tell a story of place in each meal, and customised daily activities ranging from guided Freycinet walks to oyster farm visits, wine tastings, whisky distillery tours, and marine adventures. 

Guests will share the island with a colony of Little Penguins and other seabirds that return to their burrows each evening. 

"This isn't just luxury accommodation; it's a fully immersive experience in one of Australia's most pristine environments," said Israel. 

"We've reimagined what service means in this extraordinary setting. Whether it's a sommelier-led tasting of Tasmania's finest wines, a private yoga session on the deck at sunrise, or a chef preparing your freshly foraged seafood, every moment is designed to create lasting memories."

For more information about Picnic Island Tasmania and to inquire about bookings, see  www.picnicisland.com.au.

Images: Olly Gaspar