Just as I was about to publicise one of the worst-kept secrets in wine, official word arrives that Southcorp has actually, finally purchased Devil’s Lair. Price has not been disclosed, but figures as high as $12-15 million have been whispered for the purchase, which includes a 127 ha property with 35 ha of established vineyard. The attractions of Devil’s Lair for Australia’s largest wine maker (which claims to be the 8th largest in the world) are obvious. Devil’s Lair represents a well-established base in the West where Southcorp had no prior presence. Its own vineyard is ripe for expansion while its modern winery could easily be replicated to provide extra processing capability for Southcorp’s steadily growing fruit purchases from WA. Devil’s Lair was established in 1980 by Phil Sexton, who also developed the Matilda Bay Brewery (the original source of Redback beer), today owned by Fosters Brewing. Although its first release was the 1990 cabernet, it has quickly moved to premium status in the domestic market, largely around the quality of its chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon, plus strong local demand for its pinot noir, which is less highly regarded by this writer than other Devil’s Lair wines. The recently released ‘Fifth Leg’ white is attractive but over-priced. Devil’s Lair’s present production is 10,000 cases, which Southcorp will increase to 70,000 over the next five years to meet growing domestic and international demand. The site’s potential vineyard area will be fully developed over the next two years and Southcorp is ready to bring in additional fruit. Current winemaker Janice McDonald and the vineyard management staff are to retain their posts under the new owners.
