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After agreeing to sell one of Australia’s most famous tropical islands, the billionaire Oatley family has turned its attention to a different kind of paradise; South Australia’s wine regions.
Late last year, the billionaire family agreed to sell Queensland’s Hamilton Island to US private equity firm Blackstone. Now, A.G. Oatley Wines, run by Sandy Oatley and his daughter Nicky, have been busy adding some familiar Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale wine names to their growing portfolio.
On October 7, they announced the purchase of Murray Street Vineyards at Greenock in the Barossa Valley. The deal covers the modern winery, the cellar door and extensive vineyard holdings. Sandy said the family was “honoured to be its next custodians”.
Five days later came an even bigger and more sentimental announcement. The family is bringing Rosemount, one of Australia’s best-known wine brands, back home after 25 years. The deal also sees the family pick up McLaren Vale wine label Ingoldby and New Zealand’s Secret Stone from Treasury Wine Estates.
The Rosemount deal is expected to be wrapped up on 23 October, although the family is keeping the price tag to themselves.
But Rosemount’s return is about more than expanding the family wine portfolio.
Sandy’s late father, Bob Oatley, built the brand with Sandy working beside him for about 20 years, making it one of Australia’s best-known wine names. The brand merged with Southcorp in 2001 before eventually becoming part of Treasury Wine Estates in 2011.
Now, a quarter of a century later, Sandy has the opportunity to work on the brand with his own daughter, something he describes as “an extraordinary full circle moment.”
“We are thrilled to be able to bring Rosemount home to our family once again.”
Ingoldby brings a second SA region into the mix. The McLaren Vale label sits alongside Rosemount and Secret Stone in the Treasury deal, which includes the brands and their existing stock.
Back in the Barossa, Murray Street Vineyards has its own family story.
Murray Street has been part of the Barossa scene for 25 years. Bill Jahnke and Andrew Seppelt founded it in 2001, and Bill’s daughter Janai Brengman later joined him as co-owner. Over that time, it has built a reputation as one of the region’s award-winning wineries, with a cellar door that draws visitors to Greenock.
The Oatleys intend to build on what the family has already established, maintaining the winery’s focus on vineyard quality, provenance and the character of the estate.
Meanwhile, Nicky has been making her own mark on the industry through her NOW. (Nicole Oatley Wines) label, with recent success for its Swan Valley Chenin Blanc and Margaret River Cabernet Franc. With renowned winemaker Larry Cherubino overseeing winemaking across the family portfolio, Nicky says the investment in South Australia is very much intentional.
“South Australia is such an important part of the industry’s future, and these investments in the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale allow us to play a meaningful role.”
For Treasury Wine Estates, the sale is part of a broader shake-up. The wine giant is narrowing its focus from 76 brands to a priority portfolio of 30, including Penfolds, Wynns and Pepperjack, having also recently sold Seppelt, Rouge Homme and Tollana.
As for what the Oatleys will do with Rosemount, they aren’t giving much away just yet.
There’s something fitting about how it’s all come together.
Bob Oatley built Rosemount with his son. Bill Jahnke built Murray Street with his daughter. And now Sandy and Nicky Oatley have both.
Murray Street Vineyards
When: Open Monday 10am–4pm, Thursday to Sunday 10am–5pm
Where: 37 Murray Street, Greenock
For more information, click here.
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