Hallowed Ground to close as it transfers portfolio

Australian wine specialist Hallowed Ground is to close with its Australian portfolio being taken on by Hallgarten Druitt & Novum.

Speaking to the drinks business, Hallowed Ground’s co-founder and director, Amelia Jukes, said: “We’ve worked very hard to establish our Australian brands in the UK and felt they needed a larger platform. We felt it would be the best move for the wineries. I’m thrilled and think it’s the right thing for them.”

She explained further that as she and Hallgarten’s managing director, Andrew Bewes, were “great friends” it was a simple choice to transfer the 10-strong portfolio over to the importer whose own Aussie list is now greatly enhanced.

“We have long been searching for the right partners in Australia to complement both the quality and regionality of the rest of our portfolio,” said Bewes in a press release. “Hallowed Ground has done an exceptional job of establishing these producers in the UK and we are delighted at the prospect of working with them to further build upon their successes.”

Jukes added: “The move to Hallgarten will enable these exceptional wine estates to become part of a broader range of wines and increase the opportunities for listings and exposure for Australian fine wine.”

Speaking to db she said that the company’s New Zealand agencies were going to Indigo Wines and Berry Bros & Rudd and that Hallowed Ground would close. She said she was “delighted” with what the company had achieved since its founding.

Hallowed Ground was founded in 2010 by Jukes and Elodie Cameron (pictured) with the intention of bringing small volume, family run Australian estates to the UK market. Jukes will work closely with Hallgarten’s head of buying, Steve Daniel and portfolio director Jim Wilson over the coming months to promote these wines but after that she said she had no immediate plans.

“I don’t know, a new chapter for me but I will stay in the wine trade,” she said.

The wines will be available from Hallgarten from 1 August they are: Clos Clare, Eden Road, Fox Gordon, Laissez Faire, Lake Breeze, Ocean Eight, Paringa Estate, Ravenswood Lane, Teusner and Ulithorne.