Clarendon vineyard sold

The Hickinbotham family has sold its internationally acclaimed Clarendon Vineyards to a privately-owned US-based wine company.

The sale of the 184 hectare property, negotiated by Mark Forde of Brock Harcourts Victor Harbor, includes approximately 80 hectares (198 acres) under vines and two magnificent homes.
 
Clarendon Vineyard is planted out to Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Grenache, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. Also sharing the gently undulating property at the northern end of South Australia’s McLaren Vale wine region are a 740 square metre stately stone mansion designed by prominent architect Rob Cheesman and built to Alan Hickinbotham’s specifications in 1995, and the unique Earth Shelter house created by acclaimed German architect Gerhard Schurer in 1981, which has been home to David and Dena Hickinbotham for almost 30 years.
 
There is also a small boutique winery on the property which continues to produce outstanding quality wines. The Onkaparinga River flows through the estate, providing it with ample water for irrigation.
 
Mr Forde said the (undisclosed) price paid for the premium property reflected a price per hectare for the vines “with much more in common with the wine industry’s better times than the prevailing market.”
 
“It is evident from the attention to detail which the purchaser has shown in assessing the property and the price paid, that they recognise the international leadership of Clarendon Vineyards operation, the potential of its fruit and the quality of the wine it produces,” Mr Forde said.
 
Clarendon Vineyard and Winery was established by Alan and David Hickinbotham in the early 1970s and has produced fruit for some of the world’s most acclaimed wines including Penfolds Grange Hermitage and Hardy’s Eileen Hardy, as well as the Clarendon and Hickinbotham labels.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF BROCK HARCOURTS VICTOR HARBOR
 
FURTHER INFORMATION: Mark Forde on 08 8552 5744 or 0417 833 296