Accolade Wines is looking to sell its iconic Banrock Station Vineyard

One of SA’s best-known wine centres and cellar doors is on the market – including its historic wetlands – with a global wine giant looking to lease it back.

Accolade is looking to sell its Banrock Station Vineyard in the Riverland. Picture: Supplied by Langley & Co

Accolade Wines is selling its iconic Banrock Station Vineyard in the Riverland, but will look to lease back the wine centre and cellar door once a new owner is found.

The global wine giant will also retain the Banrock Station brand as part of any potential deal, and is promising to continue to preserve the historic wetlands, which it has managed for more than 25 years.

A company spokesman said sale-and-leaseback transactions were becoming increasingly common in the Australian wine industry, and the Banrock Station brand would remain an important part of the company’s portfolio, alongside its other labels including Hardys, St Hallett and Grant Burge.

“We can confirm we are at the early stages of exploring the potential sale of the vineyards at Banrock Station, not the brand itself,” he said.

“As part of this process, we are exploring the possible sale and leaseback of the Banrock Station Wetland and Wine Centre, the cellar door and cafe.

Accolade plans to lease back its Banrock Station Wetland and Wine Centre. Picture: Supplied by Langley & Co

“Under any scenario, the Banrock Station brand would remain part of the Accolade Wines portfolio.

“The Banrock Station brand is a vital part of our global growth strategy, and we remain committed to building on its proud history of environmental preservation and its tradition of crafting great tasting wines.”

BRL Hardy (now Accolade) acquired the former cattle grazing property, in the town of Kingston on Murray, in 1995, with a mission to restore the wetlands while converting a portion of the site for grape growing.

The 235ha vineyard now comprises a mix of traditional and alternative varieties including Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon and Chardonnay.

A 1619ML annual water licence, visitor centre, two houses and shedding are included in the sale.

Winery brokerage and advisory firm Langley & Co.’s Stephen Strachan, who’s been appointed to sell the property, said the vineyard produced about 5700 tonnes of fruit each year.

“With strong speculation about a return of sales to China, an acquisition of a vineyard of this calibre would provide a buyer with the opportunity to secure almost 6000 tonnes of grapes a year, with a good mix of traditional grape varieties and alternative varieties,” he said.

Accolade is promising to maintain the wetlands it has managed for more than 25 years. Picture: Supplied by Langley & Co

Accolade’s Berri Estates winery is the largest grape processor in the Riverland – Australia’s largest grape growing region, accounting for close to two thirds of South Australia’s grape crush each year.

The company spokesman said there were no plans to sell off or lease its facilities at Berri Estates.

“Accolade Wines remain committed to winemaking and production in the area, just as we have for the past 100 years, and will continue to make and package our wines at Berri Estates winery and packaging centre in the Riverland.”

Banrock Station is one of several Riverland vineyard and winery facilities currently on the market. They include organic wine specialist Salena Estate, in Bookpurnong, which was currently listed for sale with 191.5ha of vineyards and a 15,000 tonne production facility.

Expressions of interest in the Banrock Station property close on May 5.

Originally published as Accolade Wines is looking to sell its iconic Banrock Station Vineyard