Warrandyte South’s Rob Dolan Wines taken over by administrators after owing $8m
A popular Yarra Valley winemaker has been taken over by administrators after owing more than $8m, with its iconic cellar door taking a hit.
Outer East
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One of the Yarra Valley’s most prolific wineries has suffered a major blow, with its company taken over by administrators after owing more than $8m to creditors.
ASIC documents revealed Rob Dolan Wines — which operated a cellar door in Warrandyte and manufactured its own wine — owed 33 creditors a total of $8.004m, with administrators Richard Rohrt and Petr Vrsecky taking over.
Both Mr Rohrt and Mr Vrsecky were also appointed as liquidators of related company Rob Dolan & Co on April 2— the business’ manufacturing arm.
Public records showed the company owed City Vineyard Pty Ltd $4.6m, a supplier called Heavy Pty Ltd $892,366 and the ATO $283,076.
It also owed its general secured creditor Wongungarra Pty Ltd — one of the company’s shareholders — $1.5m which the Herald Sun understands bought the remaining stock.
At the first creditors meeting on April 7 administrators decided the company’s cellar door business would continue to run, albeit only on weekends instead of daily.
Staff from the liquidated Rob Dolan Co would also be employed at the cellar door on a casual basis during the administration period.
Administrators said all gift cards and subscription points accrued by “Huddle Club” members would be honoured.
Rob Dolan Wines was still owed $462,694 from debtors including local restaurants, bars and bottleshops.
The wedding venue on the land near the cellar door will not be affeccted as it ran as a separate independent entity.
Rob Dolan Wines sold a range of black and white label wines, as a well as a signature series of pinot noir, chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon.
Rob Dolan — the company’s founder — was highly regarded as a pioneer in the Yarra Valley’s emergence as one of the state’s biggest wine regions.
In 2014 his winery was named Top Newcomer Winery of the year.
As well as being an esteemed wine maker, Mr Dolan played in two SANFL premierships with Port Adelaide.
Before starting his own label, Mr Dolan worked as a senior winemaker at Yarra Ridge Wines.
Rob Dolan Wines was contacted for comment.
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