All change. New owners for McLaren Vale winery

Three wine industry friends and colleagues have snapped up McLaren Vale wine producer Fox Creek Wines. 

Ben Gibson, Jock Harvey and Dim Georgiadis are the trio of new owners. 

Gibson has held a broad cross section of wine industry roles over the last 20 years, including various director positions at Pernod Ricard and more recently as CEO of Clare Valley winery, Kirrihill Wines.

Harvey, a wine industry stalwart, is best known as proprietor of Chalk Hill, while Georgiadis is a founder and director of business development for the FABAL group of companies that specialise in large scale agri-business and vineyard management.

All three share a love of high-quality shiraz, grenache and alternative varietals along with a passion for the McLaren Vale region; the wines, the food, the environment and the local community.

Fox Creek was established in 1984 by Helen and Dr. Jim Watts following the purchase of the property on Malpas Road in McLaren Vale. 

Fox Creek has won numerous domestic and international wine awards.

 

Gibson, who will assume the role of CEO, said that they quickly realised the potential of Fox Creek with its rich soils, 1,200 tonne winery, 20 hectares of premium vineyards and historic cellar door - all within a 46-hectare property. 

“In spite of the hardships the wine industry has faced in the current climate and pandemic, Jock, Dim and I immediately saw the value in investing in such an iconic wine brand in McLaren Vale, ” Gibson said.

“With Fox Creek located so close to our hometown of Willunga, Jock and I could not be happier to be reunited. In partnership with our great friend Dim, we embark on what will be an exciting new chapter for Fox Creek Wines.  

“We have a shared passion for the local community, which will sit foremost at the heart of the Fox Creek Wines philosophy."