South Australia's Rolf Binder wine business hits the market

The premium South Australian wine business Rolf Binder is on the market for the first time in its 65 year history.

Owned by brother and sister Rolf Binder and Christa Deans, whose parents established the business in 1955, the sale includes more than 100 hectares of vineyards across five sites, a 1000-tonne capacity winery, cellar door and brands including JJ Hahn and Magpie Estate.

Binder said the time was right to sell after 65 years of commitment to the Barossa.

“This is an exciting opportunity for a buyer to take a significant stake in Australia’s premier wine region,” Rolf said.

“Our vineyard blocks are in the heart of the Barossa, including one directly adjacent to the key vineyards used to supply Penfolds Grange Hermitage.

“The time is now right to hand over the baton and watch the business fulfil its potential.”

The present 1000-tonne winery site on the corner of Seppeltsfield and Stelzer roads at Stonewell was initially built in 1998, ready for the 1999 vintage.

It is co-located with the cellar door and 25ha Chri-Ro Vineyard, which is predominantly planted with Shiraz.

The other four vineyards are dotted around the Barossa and all feature Shiraz with other varieties including Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon, Mataro and Malbec.

Rolf Binder produces about 40,000 dozen a year, much of which is exported to the UK and Europe.

The sibling winemakers have worked together in the business since 1994.

Binder said he and Deans were looking for an outright sale or a partnership arrangement and were both prepared to stay on in the short to medium term as winemakers to assist with the business transition.