- 22 ha vineyard has hit the market
- The business sells wine, grapes and has a tourism branch with its cellar door and cafe
- The sale is being conducted on a walk-in walk-out basis by private treaty
Riversands Vineyards has now hit the market, offering prospective buyers the unique opportunity to acquire an established winery.
Encompassing just over 22 ha, the vineyard is located in southern Queensland just outside of a town called St George, a site that offers a secure water supply and quality operational infrastructure.
Importantly, the climate is idyllic for growing grapes. The vineyard’s 25,000 vines produced a record harvest of grapes this year. They are sold as table grapes and used for an array of wines including White Muscat, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino, Merlot, Shiraz, Saperavi, Ruby Cabernet and Black Muscat.
Managed by real estate agency LAWD, the sale of Riversands Vineyards is being conducted on a walk-in walk-out basis by private treaty.
The current owner, David Blacket has been at the helm for much of the vineyard’s lifetime. With his wife Alison, he has developed the vineyard since 1996.
“When we bought the Riversands Vineyards, the winery was very much in its infancy, and we were able to take it to another level,” Mr Blacket said.
“We found the wine industry to be very supportive of newcomers, and we grew our venture alongside the Queensland industry.”
A now established brand Riversands wine is sold through multiple channels including the cellar door and direct-to-customer online transactions. The brand is also partnered with more than 50 retail outlets, at 30 shows and festivals.
In addition to selling grapes and wine, Riversands has a tourism branch. The buyer of Riversands will acquire the cellar door as well as an outdoor café.
The business comes with its highly experienced staff and a proven management
structure.
According to Mr Blacket, more than 13,000 people visited the Riversands cellar door in 2021. The tourism arm of the business since has experienced record growth since July 2020, powered primarily by active retiree travellers and bus tours.
“We cater for both the drive market and family adventure tourism along with coach tours and regularly host events, parties and weddings that appeal to families and regional tourists.”
David Blacket, Riversands Vineyards Owner
Balonne Shire Mayor, Samantha O’Toole, the growing tourism industry in the region is far from reaching its full potential.
She believes the growth in visitor numbers to the region was the result of a maturing outback tourism market, with Riversands Vineyards among a growing list of high-quality attractions.
“Outback regions have been working very hard over a number of years to build attractions that appeal to the domestic market so there is now much for tourists to do and experience when they head west.” Cr O’Toole said.
“Our 2021 tourism season started earlier and lasted longer. In June during the school holidays, for example, the town was thriving, the shops were full and there were queues of caravans.
“I don’t believe we have reached our potential in terms of tourism,” Cr O’Toole said.
