Grant Burge and Ian Wilson, two young guns in their 20s, created the Krondorf wine brand in 1978.
Just two years later the Krondorf Cabernet Sauvignon 1979 won the prestigious Jimmy Watson Trophy at the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards. Krondorf was established as a worthy brand
Now, over four decades on, Burge is once more the owner of the Barossa winery, having sold his stake to Mildara Blass in 1986.
It was an emotional purchase for the wine industry veteran. He and his wife Helen (above) live just 50 metres from the winery.
It marks the third time in its history that Krondorf Winery has found itself in the Burge family’s hands.
He re-purchased from Mildara Blass in 1999 and then sold to multinational Accolade Wines from whom he this week purchased the facility.
“It’s a very special homecoming,” says Burge.
“I have effectively bought back a significant part of my past, having first acquired Krondorf Winery– which, to add to the poignancy, sits alongside our family home in the Barossa – as a 27-year-old.
"Now, at the age of 70, I’m looking forward to both the person and the wine ageing well.”
The purchase will allow Burge Barossa – an integrated wine and tourism services company – to produce and bottle some 178,000 dozen bottles of white wine per annum for its growing contractor base, more than doubling previous output of 60,000 dozen and establishing the winery as a medium-size player in the region.
It further sees Burge Barossa invest some $1 million in a new, soon-to-be-constructed bottling plant and warehouse.
The sale of Krondorf Winery follows Accolade’s decision some 12 months ago to close the site.
Burge Barossa, with family roots in the region dating back more than a century-and-a-half, is privately owned by Grant and Helen Burge.
The company also operates bed and breakfast properties Tanunda Cottages and Wilsford House.
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