The gossip about Foster’s and T’gallant has been circulating for long enough to suggest that something is about to happen. Only time will tell if the likely purchase is a smart one, but it must be said that Mildara Blass, which has become Beringer Blass under Foster’s ownership, has a very mixed record in the takeover department. Names like Yarra Ridge and Yellowglen have dramatically increased their market presence in the Foster’s folio, and it could be argued that St Huberts, Ingoldby, Mount Ida, Baileys, Metala, Saltram and Mamre Brook have succeeded to a greater or lesser extent. But there have been some death and near-death experiences such as Krondorf, Balgownie, The Rothbury Estate and even perhaps Maglieri, whose profile today is a mere shadow of its former independent self. T’gallant is a localised Victorian brand which, around some clever packaging, has created a niche market based around its particularly quirky expressions of pinot gris. Based on the Mornington Peninsula, its restaurant is popular with elements of the Melbourne in-crowd. While a great deal of money would be required to upgrade its winery to Beringer Blass levels, T’gallant’s greatest strength is its name. It’s not all that difficult to imagine the Beringer boffins contemplating T’gallant as a trendy Victoria-wide brand based around pinot gris and chardonnay. For if it really hit its straps, I doubt there’s enough local pinot gris of requisite quality on the Mornington Peninsula for it to remain a regional wine.
