A family-owned company has purchased another big name in Australian wine from the corporate set. This time it’s the Nagambie Wine Corporation (NWC), the family company of Gerry Ryan, founder of the JAYCO caravan and camping trailer brand, which has acquired the Mitchelton winery, vineyard and brand from Lion Wine Pty Ltd. With around 110 ha of vineyard and an annual crush of around 3,000 tonnes, Mitchelton was one of the most significant of the wineries owned by Lion Nathan, which was itself bought last year by Japanese beer giant Kirin. The Preece and Thomas Mitchell brands will continue to be owned by Lion Wine. The Ryan family, who will lease back the winery and vineyard to Lion Wine for another year, assume full control in August 2012. The family, which already owns vineyards around Nagambie, intends to develop the site’s tourism potential and plans to upgrade and re-landscape the site, building 40 eco-cabins for visitor accommodation. ‘We are looking to nurture and grow Mitchelton’s established pedigree in the production of fine wines whilst also leveraging its untapped potential in tourism and hospitality’, says Andrew Ryan.
