Legendary sparkling winemaker Ed Carr is staying on at House of Arras in Tasmania, the new owner Handpicked Wines has confirmed.
The purchase, from Accolade Wines, includes the House of Arras brand, inventory, 24 hectares of premium vineyard, winery and the Pipers River cellar door.
Handpicked Wines CEO and founder William Dong said: “We are proud to achieve such a significant milestone in our company’s history and, more importantly, being able to keep the Arras brand and its talented team together under the ownership of an Australian family-owned producer.
“We are confident that the Arras brand will further elevate our current portfolio of luxury brands and bring exceptional choice, craftsmanship and quality to our partners and customers.
“Ultimately, our focus is about creating storied and authentic brands that evoke a sense of wellbeing and longing.
“These core values and the energy is what lies at the heart of our company culture.”
Ed Carr said, “I am thrilled that I can continue the House of Arras tradition as chief winemaker under the new ownership of Handpicked Wines.
“I look forward to being part of an enthusiastic and dynamic team that can further grow the global recognition of our Arras brand.
“Handpicked Wines is the right custodian to evolve and build upon our worldwide reputation as Australia’s premier sparkling producer.”
Group chief winemaker Peter Dillon said, “We are incredibly excited to have the top sparkling brand in Australia join our Handpicked Wines stable.
“Ed is one of Australia’s great contemporary winemakers, and it is a privilege to work alongside him again.
“Together, we plan to take the House of Arras to the next level of prestige and set the highest benchmark for Australian sparkling wine on the global stage.
“We are also pleased to welcome the dedicated and valuable team at the Pipers River vineyard and winery to our Handpicked Wines team.
“In addition, we are also looking forward to working alongside the amazing collection of growers that contribute to the House of Arras.
“Their viticultural excellence, collaborative support and brilliant commitment to fruit quality highlight Tasmania’s great potential as the southern hemisphere’s greatest sparkling wine region.”
The Mornington Peninsula is home to Handpicked Wines and flagship vineyard Capella, but winemaking spreads to five more fully-owned top-site vineyards across the country and captured under the Single Vineyard labels: Wombat Creek and Highbow Hill in the Yarra Valley, Auburn Road and Native Point in Tasmania and Watunga Road in Barossa Valley – all of which are organically-farmed and sustainably-managed.
Handpicked Wines has held a James Halliday five-red-star winery rating since 2014 and has been recognised as a Top Winery of Australia by The Real Review for five consecutive years.
The winery is owned by Sydney-based and family-owned wine and drinks business DMG Group.
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