RedHeads Wine – the Australian winemaking arm of UK-owned wine merchant Direct Wines which also trades under the banner Laithwaites Wine – has opened a new 500-tonne winery at Angaston in the Barossa Valley in time for vintage.
The new winery – built in Angaston by Ahrens – was completed in only 14 months thanks to co-operation from the South Australian Government. The new build aims to drive growth for the business and premium exports for South Australia.
RedHeads’ new home incorporates an eight-hectare vineyard and cellar door, which will be open to the public in the spring. Until then, tastings can be made by appointment.
Direct Wines general manager for production, Iain Muggoch, said the company was excited to introduce the new RedHeads winery to its stable of global wine production businesses.
“Having this new winery positioned in one of the world’s most renowned wine regions will help develop our growth of South Australia’s world-class wines to our global customers,” Mr Muggoch said.
“Our investment was made possible with the proactive assistance of the South Australian Government both in Australia and London.”
Minster for Trade, Tourism and Investment David Ridgway, who officially opened the winery, said Direct Wines’ welcome investment would generate “significant” additional exposure for SA wines in key export markets of the United Kingdom and the United States as well as right across Australia.
“We are delighted that Direct Wines has chosen the Barossa Valley as the site of its only Australian winery, which will enable the company direct access to some of the best fruit in the country for its global customer base,” he said.
“Wine exports are critical to South Australia’s economic success – they earned $1.89 billion in 2018 which was the best result in a decade. We look forward to continued growth in the sector.”
RedHeads produce Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and other new and emerging Spanish and Italian varieties. First established in 2003, the global demand for RedHeads wines now makes this new investment possible.
RedHeads Wine was established by Tony Laithwaite in McLaren Vale in 2002.
Direct Wines began in 1969 when geography student Tony Laithwaite took a job washing bottles in Bordeaux and fell in love with wine and the people who make it. When he borrowed a van to share their delicious wines with friends and neighbours at home, things went so well that hundreds of little wineries all around the world were soon queuing to take part.
Today, 50 years on, Direct Wines has become the UK’s No.1 home-delivery wine merchant with business operations in Australia, France, America and Asia, selling more than 1,500 wines including red, white, rosé, Champagne, Prosecco and spirits.
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