The family owned and operated Finniss River Vineyard in the esteemed wine region of Fleurieu in South Australia is being offered for sale via Expressions of Interest.

Established and developed by the renowned Hickinbotham family in 1999, the sprawling property is ideally situated on the banks of South Australia’s second fastest running river – the Finniss River.

The property is internationally recognised for producing some of Australia’s best wine grapes, including Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varieties.

The vineyard produces wine under the Paringa and Finniss River labels, while also supplying grapes to Orlando Wines as part of a 17-year grape supply agreement.

David Hickinbotham said while the decision to sell the property was bittersweet, it held significant potential and value for its new owners.

“The property, which we have been lucky enough to hold for the past 16 years, is flanked by spectacular scenery in one of the most picturesque parts of South Australia,” Mr Hickinbotham said.

“It features free flowing water from the Finniss River, beautiful strands of mature gum trees and substantial water security, as well as optimal climate and soil conditions that promote an exceptional growing environment.”

Spanning 135.6 hectares, the property comprises  65.37 of premium grape vines, 5.33 of vacant vineyard with all trellis and irrigation infrastructure in place, as well as an additional 23.32 hectares of land ready for new vines to be planted.

The vineyard has capacity to expand to a total of 94.02 hectares, producing approximately 1,000 tonnes of fruit annually.

The Paringa wine label is internationally recognised as one of the country’s most revered wine brands, having featured on the front cover of Wine Spectator and twice in the publication’s highly regarded Top 100 wines list, as well as being rated by Newsweek magazine as one of the best value wines in the world.

Additionally, the Paringa and Finniss River wine brands have received accolades from respected US wine aficionados Harvey Steiman of the Wine Spectator and Robert Parker Jr of the Wine Advocate. 

Mr Hickinbotham said the stunning success of Finniss River Vineyard made the property an outstanding investment opportunity.

He commented: “Finniss River benefits from the perfect combination of clean soil, clean air and clean water – all of which are elements identifiable in the outstanding fruit produced by the property’s vines”.

“The sale of this world-class vineyard is a truly special offering with enormous value potential.”

The Hickinbotham family has developed the property with a low maintenance structure that requires only two people to run 65 hectares of vines.

Mr Hickinbotham went on to say that it was not often that a vineyard of the scale or significance of Finniss River Vineyard comes onto the market in Australia.

“This is an exceptional opportunity for an astute investor to take advantage of improving conditions in the Australian wine industry,” Mr Hickinbotham explained.

“Properties with scale and ease of management such as the Finniss River Vineyard – and the associated Paringa and Finniss River wine brands – will be the future of the viticulture industry in Australia.”

The vineyard benefits from extensive secure water assets, which include a 253mgL per annum water licence that supports the property’s entire annual irrigation requirements, and a 250mgL dam that can store almost two years’ water for vineyard irrigation.  

“With water an essential – but increasingly scarce – resource, this property’s water security will no doubt be a major selling point,” Mr Hickinbotham added.

CBRE’s Phil Schell, who is selling the property in conjunction with fellow agent Chris Holgar, said the property represented a unique and attractive investment opportunity.

“Very rarely does a viticulture operation of this size or prominence hit the market, and its proven and celebrated success as one of Australia’s best wine brands is a testament to the quality of this offering,” Mr Schell said.

The property also features a five-bedroom home with adjacent tennis court and swimming pool, as well as a machinery shed and two pumping sheds that service the vineyard’s irrigation system.

Finniss River Vineyard is located approximately three kilometres south of the Finniss township, 45 kilometres south-east of McLaren Vale and 35 kilometres south-west of Langhorne Creek.

Expressions of Interest close July 11 at 5.00pm (CST)