Hunter Valley wine industry leaders Brian McGuigan and Colin Peterson have bought the historic ‘Ben Ean’ site in the Hunter Valley site.
The pair have entered into an agreement to purchase the site at 119 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin, NSW. Popularly known as ‘Ben Ean’ and historically home to the Lindeman’s Cellar Door and 1843 Harvest Café, McGuigan and Peterson will acquire the site from Treasury Wine Estates (TWE).
The deal finalises on September 15.
Established in 1834 as a vineyard, winery and distillery, TWE announced it would close the cellar door and cafe last year.
McGuigan and Peterson will operate the facility under the site’s original name, ‘Ben Ean’, a Celtic name meaning ‘mountain of pleasure’, and will showcase a range of Hunter Valley wines.
The site will offer multiple brands that have a connection to the region, including Lindeman’s and several other wines from the TWE portfolio, as well as the Peterson range, called Savannah Estate, and McGuigan’s daughter’s products, Lisa McGuigan Wines.
McGuigan said: “Colin Peterson and I are dedicated to maintaining and developing the Estate as a salute to some of the best-known wine producers of the last 170 years of viticulture and winemaking in the district. The property has produced extraordinary wines that have assisted in building the reputation of the Hunter Valley as one of the world’s highest quality wine regions.”
“As local vignerons, we thank TWE for the opportunity to take ownership of this property, helping to foster the expansion of the Hunter wine industry. The heritage of the site will be protected at all costs in recognition of the great history we possess in our region.”
Angus McPherson, TWE’s Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand, said: “After careful consideration, TWE has decided to sell this Hunter Valley site to Brian McGuigan and Colin Peterson, who we believe are well placed to leverage the significance of this local icon for the benefit of the community and the broader NSW wine industry. We wish them well in their plans for this Hunter Valley landmark.”
