McLaren Vale wine producer Dowie Doole has bought Possums Wines in Blewitt Springs. The sale includes a 500-tonne winery and 34.6 hectare vineyard.
Possums Wines has been owned and managed by Dr John Possingham AM and Carol Summers since 1984. Dr Possingham is an expert in viticulture and headed the CSIRO’s program of horticulture research for 30 years.
Possums Vineyard is located on Adams Road at Blewitt Springs, where the cooler climate and deep sandy soils produce some of the region’s most premium winegrapes.
The vineyard, which has 28.6 hectares under vine, is planted to Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Viognier.
Dowie Doole chief winemaker Chris Thomas welcomed the acquisition.
“The new vineyard is very exciting as it offers a host of new varieties to play with and old vine Shiraz and Grenache planted in 1955,” Chris says.
The sale doubles Dowie Doole’s vineyard holdings from 35 to 63.6 hectares.
“It is rather fitting that the Possums Vineyard is a neighbouring property to Lulu Lunn and the late Drew Dowie’s Tintookie Vineyard from which much of Dowie Doole’s grapes are sourced, including the famous 85-year-old Chenin Blanc vines,” Chris says.
“This acquisition is an extraordinary opportunity and a very exciting prospect for the winery.”
Viticulturist Dave Gartelmann will oversee management of the Possums Vineyard along with other Dowie Doole vineyards.
The winery was built on-site in 2004.
“The sale has come at the perfect time ahead of vintage 2019,” Chris says.
“This new facility will bring Dowie Doole’s entire production under one roof.”
The acquisition also includes several wine brands including Possums Vineyards range, Possingham & Summers Estate range, and Dr Johns Single Vineyard range.
“We will continue Dr John Possingham’s legacy of producing premium quality wines at exceptional value. The Possums suite of brands will find a home in our portfolio moving forward,” Chris says.
Dowie Doole was established in 1995 by grapegrowers Drew Dowie and Norm Doole. The wine brand is now owned by a group of owners including Chris Thomas and Norm.
A new cellar door is under construction at Dowie Doole’s Tatachilla Vineyard on California Road in McLaren Vale. It is expected to open early next year.
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