The Richmond Grove story started in 1967 when a group of businessmen including Brian McGuigan and John Muddle purchased the Richmond Grove vineyard located at Richmond Grove Road, Sandy Hollow NSW.
However, it wasn’t until 1973 that Richmond Grove wines was established in the Upper Hunter Valley.
Richmond Grove grew quite rapidly hitting its peak in the 1980s, particularly in NSW where its then flagship wine, Richmond Grove French Cask Chardonnay, became the #1 selling Chardonnay in NSW and one of the largest selling Chardonnay’s in the country.
In 1990, Pernod Ricard purchased the Wyndham Estate Group...
The Richmond Grove story started in 1967 when a group of businessmen including Brian McGuigan and John Muddle purchased the Richmond Grove vineyard located at Richmond Grove Road, Sandy Hollow NSW.
However, it wasn’t until 1973 that Richmond Grove wines was established in the Upper Hunter Valley.
Richmond Grove grew quite rapidly hitting its peak in the 1980s, particularly in NSW where its then flagship wine, Richmond Grove French Cask Chardonnay, became the #1 selling Chardonnay in NSW and one of the largest selling Chardonnay’s in the country.
In 1990, Pernod Ricard purchased the Wyndham Estate Group which included Richmond Grove. With plans for driving the brand nationally and entering international markets, in 1993 Richmond Groves home was relocated to the Barossa Valley, to the former Leo Buring Chateau Leonay winery.
It was the impressive Chateau that inspired the redesign of the packaging to acknowledge the new home for the Richmond Grove brand.
Richmond Grove is a brand that was at the forefront of innovation.
The brand strap line, ‘Special wines from special places’, was a range of single varietal wines from each varietals signature region, such as Watervale and Eden Valley Rieslings, Barossa Shiraz, Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and even a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in 1998!
In was in the same year that Richmond Grove emarked on a project that spearheaded a massive change for the Australian and ultimately the world of wine. In 1998, Richmond Grove sealed a 50% of the 1998 Watervale Riesling and 50% of the 1998 Barossa Riesling under screwcap and the other 50% of each wine with traditional cork. The wines were sold in a ‘Cellaring initiative’ in partnership with Vintage Cellars.
There was such demand for the screwcap wines that the total 1999 production of the Richmond Grove Rieslings was produced under screwcap.
It was the success of this initiative that spurred 13 winemakers in Clare, led by Jeffrey Grosset to move totally to screwcap in 2000.
This proved to be a significant catalyst for the wider adoption on screwcap across the Australian wine industry and ultimately the world followed.
Sadly, the Richmond Grove brand was retired by Pernod Ricard Winemakers in 2015 due to a decision refocus efforts and resources on core global brands such as Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate and Campo Viejo.
Vision Wine Partners saw an opportunity to revitalise and relaunch Richmond Grove and were granted a license to do just that.
After considerable work in rebranding, focusing on the brand’s premium journey following its move to the Barossa, Richmond Grove Barossa was born. Working with winemaker Paul Gobell, two outstanding wines were produced. A Barossa Valley Shiraz from the 2021 vintage and a 2022 Eden Valley Riesling,
Winemaking
Our winemaker Paul Gobell’s love of wine was sparked following two vintages at Penfolds Nuriootpa in the early 80’. Wine studies followed as did his 30+ year career as a winemaker, the past 20 with Pernod Ricard Winemakers.
Paul moved to Richmond Grove in 2018 where his skill and passion for the region is truly expressed in the outstanding Barossa regional wines he makes for Richmond Grove.
15000+
Our range forms the ultimate portfolio of wine and spirits
