Return to tradition

Tuesday, 27 February, 2001 - 21:00
SOME people are still offering the romance of a little vineyard in Margaret River, albeit in a commercial package which would be a credit to any investment banker’s innovation.

Killerby Wines chief Ben Killerby believes a typical small established vineyard has become overpriced, with investors finding they have to part with millions of dollars to buy into the region.

Instead, Mr Killerby has returned to wines’ traditional roots in Europe to find a solution.

The result is two hectare Margaret River plots offered for $250,000 designed in a way to make them cost effective.

Much like tax-based vineyards that strata their properties with units usually in fractions of hectares, Mr Killerby said he was selling plots which form part of a greater whole, with all the rows lining up from property to property, allowing a manager to cultivate the whole area efficiently.

The individual grower doesn’t need to buy tractors and other expensive equipment. From the air it looks like one big vineyard.