Seppeltsfield owner Warren Randall and former Adelaide Crows CEO Steven Trigg join forces
FORMER Adelaide Crows boss Steven Trigg is one of the state’s best-known executives — now he’s taken the reins for another iconic South Australian brand.
- Former senator employed as consultant of Randall Wine Group
- Randall Wine Group buys valuable Clare Valley farm land to expand
- Seppeltsfield owner buys Chinese base at a lavish chateau
FORMER Adelaide Crows boss Steven Trigg is one of the state’s best-known executives — now he’s taken the reins for another iconic South Australian brand.
Mr Trigg started this week as managing director of the Randall Wine Group, which owns Seppeltsfield Wines in the Barossa Valley.
Winemaker Warren Randall has relinquished the role to pursue international export markets as executive chairman.
The move comes after a raft of acquisitions in recent years by the company, putting it on track to become a $1 billion business.
Mr Randall said the growth had been “exponential” and “unexpected” and had created the need for the new managing director to join a “champion team”.
“It was almost like a perfect storm of opportunities that became available to the Randall Wine Group that we availed — we were aggressive,” Mr Randall said.
“In China, we’re starting to get some serious traction and that’s why I need management support on home shores.
“So this will allow me time to get to New Zealand, California, China and Europe to pursue other strategic opportunities.”
Mr Trigg was picked from eight candidates for his experience in governance, strategy, culture and team-building, which includes 25 years at the helm of two AFL football clubs.
“I’m extremely excited and comfortable with his appointment and I can see … there will be great stability brought to the Randall Wine Group domestically, giving me a solid platform to expand internationally,” Mr Randall said.
“Currently, the Chinese drink one litre per head per year, but it’s expected to go to 1.6 litres per head in three years — that’s 850 million litres more a year that China will need.
“It has to be a net import and Australia — with a zero per cent import duty on bottled and bulk wine — will be a major player.”
Randall Wine Group now has the largest private premium vineyard holdings in Australia.
Its acquisitions include the Quelltaler Estate Winery and farm land, in the Clare Valley, Ryecroft winery and vineyards and Tinlins Winery, in McLaren Vale, and Chateau Seppeltsfied Minquan, in China.
In July, the Randall Wine Group also became a major shareholder, at 15 per cent, in Australian Whiskey Holdings, which operates Tasmanian brands Lark, Nant and Overeem.
Mr Trigg, who has governed both the Adelaide and Carlton football clubs, said there had been approaches by AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan to stay “in tune” with the league.
“The opportunity was there to hop back into elite sport, but I feel really energised by the opportunity to crack into a different industry and one that has much excitement and upside,” Mr Trigg told The Advertiser.
“To work alongside Warren, with his knowledge and track record, is a privilege really.
“There are also some very experienced people around the board table, so it will be a privilege to join that board as a director.”
Mr Trigg planned to unify the wine group’s operations, which stretch across the Barossa Valley, Clare Valley and McLaren Vale, employing about 120 people.
Other aspects of the business include Bridgewater Mill, in Adelaide Hills, and shareholder in Star of Greece restaurant, in Willunga.
