Southcorp has successfully divested itself of a another of its wine assets in the Hunter Valley that was not considered to have a part in its ongoing future. The wine brand of Hungerford Hill, whose identity has been confused, at best, over the past two decades, is now property of the Port Macquarie-based wine producer Cassegrain Wines. Cassegrain has also purchased the brand’s goodwill and stock. Given that its latest reincarnation has seen Hungerford Hill attempt to bring under a single label various combinations of grape variety and region within inland New South Wales, there is some logic apparent in Cassegrain’s move, although some effort will certainly be required before Hungerford Hill again becomes a name readily recognised by the wine market. One hopes that the company’s early decision to include regions such as the Clare Valley from other states under the brand looks a little less confusing in reality than it does on paper. A semillon and a shiraz from the Hunter Valley are also mooted. Hungerford Hill will continue to maintain its cellar door facility at Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley but while its wines are to be made at Port Macquarie. Cassegrain has also announced the appointment of former Lindemans chief winemaker Phillip John, as its new winemaker.
