One of Margaret River’s iconic food and wine businesses is on the market, almost 20 years after it opened its doors.
One of Margaret River’s iconic food and wine businesses is on the market, almost 20 years after it opened its doors.
Owners of The Berry Farm, Eion and Andrea Lindsay, say there is a need for a new energy and drive in the business, which they believe has reached a point of critical mass.
While no price has been stipulated, realtor Ray Stocker believes the property alone is valued at between $1 million and $2 million.
“It is an iconic business with excellent growth potential. I believe it will fetch a price of several million dollars,” Mr Stocker told WA Business News.
Despite their intention to sell, the Lindsays believe there is great potential for future owners with sufficient resources to access lucrative new markets.
The Berry Farm, which started out as scones and jam for friends and family, slowly grew into an international success. It has played a key role in establishing Margaret River as a premium food and wine destination.
The business sells jams, preserves, vinegar and, recently, wine through three labels – The Berry Farm, Cahoots, and Thorn Hill Wines.
More than 70 specialty retail outlets throughout Australia stock products from The Berry Farm, and exports to Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore have fuelled strong growth in recent years.
The company also supplies raw fruit to wholesalers from its 41-hectare property south of Margaret River. The unique location acts as a significant tourist drawcard, with 250,000 visitors patronising the on-site restaurant and cellar door facilities annually.
But despite the strong position The Berry Farm is in, Mr and Mrs Lindsay have decided to quit the business they established in 1986.
“Over the past six years we have had 100 per cent growth of the business,” Mr Lindsay said.
“But we have come to a point now where the business needs a new energy to carry it into the future.”
He said the business had reached a critical mass stage in its development and was primed for growth.
“It has been an extremely difficult decision to make,” Mrs Lindsay told WA Business News.
“But we want the best for the business and we believe that a new energy can take it further.”
The Berry Farm has forged an enviable reputation in the competitive premium food and wine product markets. Constantly evolving the inventory of pickles, chutneys, fruit wines, sauces and olive oils, the Lindsays are currently the only producers of honey wine vinegar in the world.
The entire range has always remained preservative free in an effort to reinforce Margaret River’s reputation for excellence, and to complement the surrounding wine producers.
Believing their operation, and particularly their wine, enjoys a symbiotic relationship with more established producers, the Lindsays said they always wanted their products to stand up with wines from Margaret River.
Current stocks include 600 avocado trees, 1.2ha of chardonnay, 0.8ha of shiraz, three-phase power and a permanent water supply.
Mrs Lindsay said she would like to see the business remain as a family run company but believes it has a lot of potential as a purely commercial venture.
