Morris Wines has raised a glass to Casella Family Wines boss John Casella saving the winery at its 160th anniversary celebration.
The winery recently held a special lunch at Melbourne’s Cutler & Co, where it unveiled a new look for Morris Wines and launched three new products for the occasion: NV Old Premium Rare Tawny, 2013 CHM Durif and 2013 CHM Shiraz, named in honour of fourth generation winemaker, Charles Henry ‘Mick’ Morris.
In 1859 founder George Morris first planted vines in the Rutherglen region – establishing an enduring family legacy for mastering the craft of fine fortified and table wines. With fifth generation winemaker David Morris at the helm, we have ‘the next-in-line,’ sixth generation Madden, honing his skills and carrying on his family legacy.
But it almost didn’t happen after Pernod Ricard decided to close the cellar door and sell the buildings, vineyards and extensive stocks of fortified wines.
After seeing the urgency of the situation and Morris’ potential loss of the family legacy, John Casella stepped in. It meant Morris was able to maintain the reigns of the iconic Rutherglen winery, thanks to the financial backing of Casella Family Brands.
At the time, Casella said: “I’m delighted to welcome Morris Wines into the Casella family, particularly due to our longstanding relationship with the Morris family, which goes back 50 years to when my father supplied grapes to their former Griffith winery.”
“I’d like to thank John publicly for keeping our doors open,” David Morris (pictured above with Casella) said at the 160th lunch. “I’ve had a friendship with him since the 1980s when I worked in Griffith, before Mick let me back in the door at home. And I’d just like to say that it’s great to be here today.”
Casella responded saying: “My father was a cane cutter in Queensland before he settled in Griffith in 1962. He and mum bought their farm and started growing grapes in 1965 and first made wine in 1969. David’s grandfather bought grapes from my father in the 1970s. And I remember, as a young guy at the end of exhibitor tastings at wine shows, the last thing you’d always do would be to go and taste the Morris fortifieds. It was a ritual. It’s what you did.”
Casella also discussed what the future held for Morris Wines. He said there are plans to revive the old pot still at the winery to make whisky, while the company will also invest in new infrastructure for the vineyards.
“We’re doing this for you, Madden, for when you’re chief winemaker,” Casella said, looking down the lunch table at David Morris’ son. “In the wine industry it’s not just about money, it’s not just about volume … Morris may be very small, but it’s very important.”
