Chateau Yaldara set to be tourist hotspot

1847 Wines has completed its purchase of Australia’s historic Chateau Yaldara, announcing plans to turn it into a major tourist destination.

Chateau Yaldara

The purchase includes both the Chateau Yaldara site and its brands with 1847 wines intending to use the historic winery not only to expand its portfolio, but as part of a “long-term strategy to develop the site into a major tourism destination for the Barossa.”

Chateau Yaldara, located near Lyndoch in South Australia’s Barossa Valley, was founded by the Hermann Thumm in 1947 after he emigrated to Australia from Europe in 1946. The winery was named “Yaldara” after the local aboriginal word meaning “sparkling”.

The sale of Chateau Yaldara to 1847 Wines, owned by Zhitai Wang of New South Wales and Kuifen Wang of Shandong in China, for a reported AUD$15.5 million was announced in August of this year.

John Curnow, CEO of 1847 Wines, said: ““This is an exciting new chapter for 1847 Wines. The revitalisation of Chateau Yaldara as a premium wine brand is a key focus for our ongoing strategy. This settlement also marks the beginning of our long-term plan to develop a significant tourism destination for the Barossa, with the aim of attracting greater numbers of global visitors to the region.”

“The Yaldara winery provides us with the a unique blend of old and new world winemaking facilities to assist the growth of our premium wine portfolio. We’re very excited about the future for 1847 Wines and its new home at Chateau Yaldara,” he added.

Further investment in the winery estate is already underway with the development of high-end accommodation for domestic and international VIP visitors. Planning is also underway to use the property as a wedding and function venue.

Following its purchase, the 1847 Wines range will expand to include a refreshed Yaldara brand, adding to its portfolio of Barossa and South Australian wines.

With a target production of 5,000 tonnes from the 2015 harvest, 1847 Wines will continue to source grapes from more than 15 local growers throughout the region, along with in excess of 80 hectares of premium Barossa vineyard owned by the winery.

It comes at a time of both change and heightened interest in the Barossa Valley with Accolade currently eyeing up producer Grant Burge, and Casella Family Wines recently acquiring Peter Lehmann wines for $50 million.