Tiny Yarra Valley producer Oakridge Estate encourages potential investors to get in quick before the expiry of its share offer to raise $2-$3 million capital for vineyard, winery and restaurant expansion on a new 17ha site on the Maroondah Highway. Chief executive Michael Zitzlaff anticipates increasing sales to 100,000 cases by 2003, crushing around 1,200 tonnes of fruit. Although no dividend is likely in the first two years, holders of 5,000 shares are eligible for wine discounts of 15% in year one and 30% in year two. The prospectus states that if successful, the share issue will result in the issue of 5.6 million 50 cent shares to Zitzlaff family interests, retaining their control in the new company and valuing Oakridge’s existing winemaking assets and business at $2.8 million. A further 800,000 share options are to be granted without cost to the directors in return for preparing the prospectus. The winery budgets for sales of 3,900 cases in 1996/97.
