Vasse Felix buys Arlewood vineyard

The Holmes a Court family's Vasse Felix winery business has expanded through the purchase of the Gosatti family's Arlewood estate property and vineyard in Margaret River.

Garry Gosatti, who owns Fremantle's Norfolk Hotel and part of the Must Winebar, retains ownership of the Arlewood wine brand and will buy its Arlewood vineyard grapes from Vasse Felix for the next two years.

Vasse Felix managing director Paul Holmes a Court would not disclose the purchase price.

Mr Holmes a Court said the acquisition would further increase its presence in the Wilyabrup wine region following the purchase of a 50 hectare parcel of land last year, which it is currently developing into vineyard.

Vasse Felix currently has 14 hectares under vine in Wilyabrup but following the Arlewood purchase and last year's land acquisition that will increase to 50 hectares. It has 100 hectares of vines in the Jindong area.

Mr Holmes a Court said Vasse Felix's production would not increase from its current 2,000 tonne of grapes per year.

He said the additional vineyards would replace grapes sourced from third parties.

A Vasse Felix announcement is pasted below:

Vasse Felix purchases vineyard in Margaret River

Vasse Felix is pleased to announce the purchase of the Arlewood estate property and vineyard in Margaret River from the Gosatti family. The Arlewood wine business is not part of the sale.

Arlewood neighbours Vasse Felix to the north and is located in the heart of the Wilyabrup subregion of Margaret River. Wilyabrup is widely considered the "dress circle" of the region and, apart from Vasse Felix, includes producers such as Moss Wood, Cullen, Howard Park and Woodlands.

Established nearly twenty years ago, Arlewood has in recent years produced some outstanding wines, most notably its Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Semillon Sauvignon Blanc.

Vasse Felix Chief Winemaker, Virginia Willcock, commented, "We're all very excited here. Vasse Felix is increasing its focus on its ultra-premium wines and expanding our vineyard estate in Wilyabrup is the best way to do that.

Vasse Felix has the oldest vines in Margaret River already and has access to some of the best fruit produced in the region, so to add Arlewood will just take us from strength to strength. This is every winemaker's dream."

Vasse Felix Managing Director, Paul Holmes à Court, commented: "This acquisition is part of Vasse Felix's never-ending efforts to make the best wine we possibly can. It is also part of our push to own and manage the vineyards where our very best fruit comes from. This is the only way to guarantee the quality of our wines is never compromised."

Established by Dr Tom Cullity in 1967, Vasse Felix was the first vineyard and winery in the Margaret River region. Vasse Felix is therefore celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2007, as well as its 20th anniversary under the ownership of the Holmes à Court family.

The Arlewood wine business is not part of the sale and will continue to be run by Garry Gosatti. Arlewood wines will source grapes from the Arlewood vineyard for at least two more years.