A FOCUS on family wineries and championing regional excellence has been continued with Casella wines announcing its purchase of Morris Wines on Friday.
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Managing director of Casella Family Brands John Casella said he believed in continuing family legacies and honouring the heritage of iconic Australian winemakers, such as the Morris family.
“I’m delighted to welcome Morris Wines into the Casella family, particularly due to our longstanding relationship with the Morris family, which goes back 50 years to when my father supplied grapes to the former Griffith winery,” Mr Casella said.
The deal, which was completed on Friday, July 22 included the purchase of the winery, cellar door, 80 hectares of vineyards, stock and the Morris of Rutherglen brand IP.
“Morris Wines is an iconic Australian winery and one of the greatest fortified wineries in the world, with over 150 years of history and winemaking tradition,” Mr Casella said.
“I believe we are well placed to build on the strength of the brand and cellar door experience to ensure Morris Wines continues its legacy.”
Mr Casella said the purchase of the winery complemented Casella’s strategy to expand into the premium wine sector and would further enhance the Casella Family Brand’s premium Australian wine offerings joining the portfolio of premium brands including Peter Lehmann Wines, Brand’s Laira and Casella.
Acknowledging the reported decline of the fortified category in recent years, Mr Casella said he believed there was an opportunity to grow the Morris of Rutherglen brand into the premium price segment.
“I believe the premium fortified category offers growth potential and Casella Family Brands is well placed to invest in developing the Morris of Rutherglen brand.
“I also recognise the excellent quality of the other wines Morris Wines produces including durif, shiraz and cabernet.”
Casella Family Brands has confirmed it will be business as usual at the winery with David Morris, fifth generation family member and current chief wine maker at Morris Wines continuing in his role. Mr Morris said he was delighted the winery had been returned to family owners. “The Morris family has built Morris of Rutherglen into an iconic Australian brand and John Casella believes in honouring the family legacy and winemaking tradition,” he said.
“The purchase by Casella Family Brands can only be a positive outcome for the winery, the brand, the region and the industry.”
