The Southcorp-Rosemount deal is just the tip of the iceberg. Right now a number of medium-sized Australian wine companies are talking to each other, keen not to lose ground in overseas distribution and domestic economies of scale. Most are run by people who are far too smart to be left off the pace for too long. Keep an eye out for these possible mergers: Petaluma and Peter Lehmann (very logical, very comple-mentary), plus Evans & Tate and Cranswick Estate (E & T will provide a much needed sharp edge to one of Australia’s largest makers). Meantime, cashed-up WA wine fund Palandri has added Rosabrook to its folio (and is likely to use its fruit for a Reserve label), while rumours also link it with Margaret River-based Amberley Estate.
