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News
Accolade acquires Barossa-based Rolf Binder Wines
Australia’s Accolade Wines has acquired Rolf Binder Wines, based in the Barossa Valley, for an undisclosed sum.
The acquisition marks the latest step in the wine group’s growth strategy to invest in South Australia and broaden its brand portfolio.
Family-owned Rolf Binder Wines was founded in 1955 and now boasts a range which includes a Chardonnay, Riesling, five different Shiraz wines as well as Bulls Blood Shiraz/Mataro, a Nero d’Avola, Montepulciano and a semi-sweet frizzante, made from a blend of Gewürztraminer and Frontignac.
Robert Foye, CEO of Accolade, said in a statement: “We are delighted to bring a business with such legacy and deep experience in the Barossa Valley as Rolf Binder into the Accolade Wines family. We are excited about the role the Rolf Binder brand will play in our diverse portfolio and the role the Rolf Binder premium red and white grapes will have in supporting Accolade’s other Barossa brands, including Grant Burge and St Hallett.”
In spite of the challenges of Covid-19 and punitive tariffs on shipments to China, Accolade said it had experienced strong growth in the first half of the 2021 financial year.
Rolf Binder added: “We are excited to announce that Accolade Wines is taking on Rolf Binder Wines. As one of the biggest wine companies in the world, we believe Accolade has the capacity to take Rolf Binder wines global. This announcement is also great news for the Barossa and this additional investment will continue to support the Barossa’s profile as a leading global wine region.”
It follows Accolade’s purchase of Katnook Estate in Coonawarra last year, the company’s first acquisition since it restructured its leadership team under new owners the Carlyle Group.
Foye told the Australian Financial Review that the company is on the hunt for more premium wineries in part as a reaction to the Chinese tariffs.
“Anything that’s premium that we’re able to get our hands on, we’re going to look at,” he told AFR. “We can bring the scale. We’re in a heavy growth mode. We’re able to make decisions fast.”