Vailo boss Aaron Hickmann ‘risks losing luxury vineyards’ near Adelaide over disputed unpaid debts

An embattled millionaire entrepreneur and founder of the Adelaide 500’s main sponsor faces losing two sprawling South Australian vineyards to pay disputed unpaid debts.

An embattled millionaire entrepreneur and founder of the Adelaide 500’s main sponsor faces losing two sprawling South Australian vineyards to pay disputed unpaid debts.

Queensland-based Aaron James Hickmann – who earns an annual income of $1m as Vailo founder – owns large Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale properties through separate companies.

Valo CEO and founder Aaron Hickmann at his former offices and factory at Kent Town. He has denied wrongdoing. Picture Mark Brake

But Mr Hickmann, 36, who parliament has heard has been investigated for tax fraud, lost control of the vineyards – collectively valued at more than $10m – in November last year.

External administrators acting for a lender, who bankrolled a mortgage worth at least $5m, alleged an outstanding property debt was worth more than $2.5m.

The Range vineyard property at Willunga. Picture: realestate.com.au

The Range vineyard property at Willunga that Vailo founder Aaron Hickmann owns Picture: realestate.com.au

This week, Bizcap, a Victorian small business lender, put up for sale a 119.6ha “rural character estate” vineyard, at Birdwood, and a 42.9ha The Range property, 50km south of Adelaide.

Lawyers for Mr Hickmann, a father of two who moved to the Gold Coast a year ago, disputed the debts.

Valley Road vineyard property, at Birdwood that Mr Hickmann also owns. Picture: realestate.com.au,

Valley Road vineyard property, at Birdwood. Picture: realestate.com.au,

Mr Hickmann, who disputes all debt and tax claims against him or his businesses, owns the properties via companies he’s a sole director of, Ikara Viticulture Two Pty Ltd and Ikara Viticulture Three Pty Ltd.

Both properties are already subject of a $214,370 creditor’s notice, which are also disputed.

Melbourne-based Lindsay Bainbridge, of Pitcher Partners chartered accountants, said the properties would repay the unpaid debts.

“This loan was originally defaulted in March 2024, and despite repeated agreements to repay the debt, it has not been paid,” he said in a statement.

“We’re now moving to sell the vineyards that are security for the loan’s outstanding amount.”

He said the Range four-bedroom, two-bathroom home property, with indoor pool, was mostly under vine, which could produce cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and chardonnay drops.

The Birdwood estate, which had a 1930s character home, had “cool-climate vines”, primarily for sauvignon blanc and Chardonnay.

Adelaide 36ers and Adelaide Lightning MVP Dinner at the Titanium Security Arena: Aaron and Maxine Hickmann, Mareli Visser and Josh Harris. Picture: supplied

He said the two properties, each being sold with a water licence, offered an opportunity for investors to purchase an established, well-maintained vineyard within an hour of Adelaide.

The external administrator said Vailo – the Adelaide 500 naming rights sponsor – was not involved in the disputes.

Mr Hickmann, who is also embroiled in multiple contested state tax debt disputes, declined to comment.

Originally published as Vailo boss Aaron Hickmann ‘risks losing luxury vineyards’ near Adelaide over disputed unpaid debts