The Rouge Homme winery in Coonawarra and its small adjoining vineyard have been sold by Southcorp to a local family of grape growers, the Di Giorgios. While a value for the sale has not been released, this represents the last stage of an asset sale that has netted Southcorp $15 million in cash. Southcorp’s Coonawarra production has been centralised at the historic Wynns winery, which has recently been upgraded under the eyes of chief winemaker Philip Shaw. The Di Giorgio family, which also owns vineyards near Lucindale in South Australia’s Limestone Coast region, has hired well-known winemaker Pat Tocaciou to process its 2002 vintage at Rouge Homme. Southcorp will however retain ownership of the Rouge Homme brand.
