Family Wineries
r i a f f a y l i m a f A Andrew Graham analyses the continued success of family-led businesses and their impact on Australia’s wine industry.
46 | National Liquor News
It’s impossible to understate the importance of
economies of scale and global brand recognition,
family companies to Australia’s wine industry.
surely it should be corporations dominating the top
But sure, let’s look at the numbers. According to
20, not the other way around?
the latest Wine Australia estimates, there are 2156
I went to the source for an answer, hitting up a
wineries in the country (and 6000 growers), most of
few members of some of our most important family
which are family businesses. That trend continues all
wineries to work out what it is that really helps them
the way up, from boutique to large producers, with
not just survive, but thrive.
more than half of our top 20 largest wine producers (by revenue) all family-owned and operated.
It’s all about patience
It doesn’t stop there either, with many in that top
The benefits of a long view - that’s the most obvious
20 list (from the Wine Industry Directory 2021) also
answer as to why family wineries are more succesful.
multi-generational businesses - including Tahbilk,
It’s the benefit of looking beyond immediate
Brown Family Wine Group and Yalumba, who each
shareholder returns and instead gazing far into the
boast histories of more than a century.
future to spot a path, even if it means a few lean years.
But have you ever really wondered why? What
As Caroline Brown, from the venerable Brown
is it about family wine businesses that make them
Family Wine Group (Australia’s seventh largest wine
so successful, and for so long? Especially in a world
company in 2021), explains, time works differently
where larger corporations enjoy much greater
in a family winery.
