In two entirely separate deals, larger-than-life Hunter Valley wine entrepreneur Brian McGuigan has sold Hunter Ridge label to BRL Hardy, with a long-term lease of the 1200 tonne Hunter Ridge winery (built in 1988 for Richmond Grove) and for $3.6 million has purchased the 5000 tonne Hunter Estate winery from Orlando. Confused? Given that the two wineries are only 100 metres apart, the good McGuigan could easily be forgiven for choosing the wrong driveway the morning after a long night’s tasting. The consequences are that BRL Hardy now has a much-needed base in the Hunter Valley and a long-term supply of Hunter fruit for its new Hunter Ridge brand, which will be launched in early 1997 with a range of typical regional varieties. Orlando still owns the Hunter Estate name.
