It’s a sad day today for the thousands of people who have experienced the rare hospitality of Luigi and Athalie Bazzani at Warrenmang. Warrenmang is one of the few genuinely successful businesses that have attempted to combine weekend resort with convention centre with high-level restaurant, with quality wine. Today the news arrived that the Bazzanis have sold the business, and while Luigi will remain as a consultant to it for a minimum of 15 months, the couple will essentially depart the scene as soon as possible to experience some freedom in their lives. The business is to be folded into the Glenkara vineyard in Landsborough and will be listed on the ASX and on the London’s secondary stock exchange. The directors of the new owners, to be known as Warrenmang Ltd, include former Federal Liberal leader John Hewson. Included under the range to be produced and marketed by the new company are the Massoni & Home wines from the Mornington Peninsula. According to material circulated today, the new owners hope to create a 200,000 case premium brand by 2013. Regardless of the fate of their business, Luigi and Athalie Bazzani leave behind a legacy of outstanding contribution and commitment to food, wine and hospitality in central Victoria. They have constantly shown that ‘country’ fare can equal and surpass ‘city’ standards, and their energy and style will be missed by countless admirers. I wish them a very long, happy and healthy ‘retirement’, so written since I can’t imagine Luigi operating for long without a challenge at hand.
