Plantagenet Wine in Great Southern has changed hands within the Samson family.
Previously owned by the Lionel Samson Sadleirs Group, the business has been sold to current general manager and sixth generation descendant of founder Lionel Samson, Tom Wisdom, and his wife Jo Wisdom.
They have taken over the brand, the stock, the leasehold of the Mount Barker cellar door/café and the premium Wyjup Vineyard.
“Jo and I are extremely excited to take over the Plantagenet brand and the legacy that Tony Smith started in 1968 and the Lionel Samson Sadleirs Group (LSSG) continued to 2021,” Tom says in a statement.
“The Plantagenet brand is respected and trusted and we intend to continue the great work that the team have initiated to position Plantagenet as one of the preeminent wine producers in WA.
“The Samson family have been great supporters of the business over a long period of time and the decision to sell was made with a heavy heart but deemed necessary in order to focus on other areas of the business.
“As the general manager of Plantagenet for the past three years, and sixth generation family member in the business, my immediate thought was to try and maintain a sense of family connection and ownership.
“Jo and I are both viticulturists, which is how we met many years ago in Margaret River, and growing the finest quality winegrapes is our passion as vignerons.
“We know that quality starts in the vineyard and this is where Plantagenet is extremely fortunate to provide fantastically balanced and mature 50+ year old vineyards from which to select the finest parcels of fruit for our Wyjup Collection and Estate ranges.
“From an operational perspective there will be minimal changes and current key points of contact within the Plantagenet team will remain the same.
How nice. I do hope Tom and Jo can benefit from the legacy of a winery that has produced some lovely wines, and regain the respct it deserves.