Vinarchy, the newly formed global wine entity born from the merger of Accolade Wines and Pernod Ricard Winemakers, has unveiled an ambitious 12-month transition plan aimed at bolstering its operational presence in Australia.
Central to this strategy is the establishment of two winemaking hubs in South Australia and the relocation of Vinarchy’s global corporate headquarters to Adelaide. The company is also prioritizing investments in key cellar door locations to enhance consumer experiences.
A significant $30 million will transform the Rowland Flat site into a premier center of excellence for premium and sparkling wines, incorporating cutting-edge viticulture and winemaking technologies. Meanwhile, Berri Estates will function as Vinarchy’s principal hub for commercial winemaking, packaging, and warehousing. With over $70 million already invested, the facility is engineered to deliver scale, efficiency, and world-class quality to meet surging global demand.
Under the new operational framework, winemaking activities currently housed at St Hallett in the Barossa and Hardy’s Tintara in McLaren Vale will transition to Rowland Flat for the 2026 and 2027 vintages, respectively. Plans for the future utilization of these sites will be developed as part of the ongoing transition.
Joe Russo, Vinarchy’s Chief Supply Officer, emphasized the benefits of the twin-hub model: “Consolidating our expertise at Berri Estates and Rowland Flat strengthens our competitive edge amid the challenges of the global wine market. This transition underscores our commitment to fortifying our winemaking foundation in South Australia.”
Russo also reassured that despite the relocation of winemaking operations, the company’s dedication to quality, local sourcing, and premium cellar door experiences for iconic brands such as St Hallett and Hardys remains steadfast. “The wines will continue to be crafted from the same regional grapes by the same winemakers, just at a different facility,” he said.
Vinarchy plans to sustain a vibrant cellar door presence for key brands including Jacob’s Creek, St Hugo, Hardys, St Hallett, Grant Burge, Katnook Estate, and Petaluma. However, the Rolf Binder and Banrock Station cellar door and restaurant operations will cease, though vineyard and viticulture activities at these sites will continue.
Addressing workforce concerns, Russo acknowledged the potential impact on employees: “We are committed to supporting our people through redeployment where possible, or providing redundancy and outplacement assistance when necessary. Ongoing consultation with our teams will guide this transition.”
Vinarchy reaffirmed its enduring partnerships with regional growers and suppliers across the Riverland, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, the Barossa, and Coonawarra, confirming these relationships will remain intact.
This strategic move positions Vinarchy to sharpen its competitive edge globally while deepening its roots within Australia’s premier wine regions.
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