Simeon Wines, a particularly successful newly emergent publicly listed wine venture, has announced further expansion following better than anticipated profits and a record 1996 vintage. Its Buronga winery (NSW) crushed 56,000 tonnes in 1996, 10% above internal budget, while its vineyards exceeded expectations in both yield and price. Simeon’s net profit increased to $4,593,000, reflecting an increase in sales revenue from $23.1 million to $35.1 million. Simeon now produces 7% of Australia’s total wine production. $3.5 million of capital expenditure is earmarked for the winery, already possibly Australia’s largest, prior to the 1997 vintage, whose crush is anticipated around 60,000 tonnes. Simeon’s own vineyards are located at Padthaway (SA), Cowra and Balranald (both NSW). Since public listing in 1994, it has invested over $18 million in new vineyards, with new plantings of 400 ha. The company supplies several major Australian brands including Orlando Wyndham (a major shareholder), Yalumba, BRL Hardy, Brian McGuigan Wines and Miranda. McGuigan Swaps Wineries 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.
