Casella buys Coonawarra winery Brand’s Laira, adding to its SA wine portfolio

WINEMAKER Casella Family Brands has bought Coonawarra winery Brand’s Laira wines for an undisclosed price from McWilliam’s Wine Group.

WINEMAKER Casella Family Brands has bought Coonawarra winery Brand’s Laira wines for an undisclosed price from McWilliam’s Wine Group.

In a statement on Tuesday Casella said Brand’s Laira will complement its growing portfolio of brands, including Yellow Tail. Casella last year snapped up Barossa Valley producer Peter Lehmann Wines for a reported $57 million.

The purchase of Brand’s Laira includes the winery, cellar door and brand.

CFB managing director John Casella on Tuesday described Brands Laira as a reputable brand that represents the regional excellence of the Coonawarra.

“I believe we are well positioned to build on the investment McWilliam’s Wines has made in Brand’s Laira in the domestic and international markets, in particular by showcasing the excellent Cabernet Sauvignon wines for which the region and the brand are famous,” he said.

McWilliam’s Wines chief executive Rob Blackwell described the decision to sell of Brand’s Laira as a “very difficult” one. But he said it was consistent with the company’s objective of focusing resources on growing its core stable of brands, namely McWilliam’s, Evans & Tate and Mount Pleasant.