Australian Vintage Limited (or AVL as it is sometimes known) is one of Australia’s largest wine producers and the architect of some of the country’s most recognisable brands, including McGuigan, Tempus Two and Nepenthe.

But despite brand notoriety and years of award-winning winemaking under the belt, some confusion remains around just who Australian Vintage Ltd is. So drinks sat down with General Manager for Australasia and North America, Cameron Ferguson, to set the record straight.

Eight years on from the transition from McGuigan Simeon Wines, what many people don’t know about Australian Vintage is that the foundations were built on passionate winemaking families – led by the McGuigans, who have been involved in winemaking since 1869 when Owen McGuigan first started growing grapes in the Hunter Valley.

“Sometimes it’s nice to fly under the radar, but it does get a little perplexing when I meet with the liquor store managers and they stare back at me blankly when I say I’m from Australian Vintage. The minute I say the words ‘McGuigan Wines’ there’s a warm nod of recognition,” said Ferguson.

Ferguson added, “I always talk a little bit about fact and fiction with our customers. Yes, we are a company that was born and bred in the Hunter Valley, but over the years we have expanded to become much more than that, and thanks to rapid expansion and rejuvenation we are now one of Australia’s largest – and fastest growing – wine companies.”

How much do you know about AVL? Look out for the full story in your copy of the April/May issue drinks trade, landing in two weeks…