Handpicked Wines has finalised and settled its acquisition of House of Arras from Accolade Wines, confirming that chief winemaker Ed Carr and the winery and vineyard teams in Pipers River will remain as part of House of Arras under the new ownership.
Accolade announced in May it was looking to sell the premium brand because it no longer fit the rest of its portfolio focus. The sale included the brand, 24 hectares of premium vineyards, inventory and the Bay of Fires winery and cellar door at Pipers River, Tasmania.
Carr said he looked forward to continuing in his role under the new ownership of Handpicked Wines.
“Being part of an enthusiastic and dynamic team will further grow the global recognition of the Arras brand. Handpicked Wines is the right custodian to evolve and build upon our worldwide reputation as Australia’s premier sparkling producer,” said Carr.
Handpicked Wines chief winemaker Peter Dillon said the company planned to take House of Arras to the next level and set a new benchmark for Australian sparkling wine on the global stage.
“To aid us in these goals we are also welcoming the team at the Pipers River vineyard and winery to our Handpicked Wines team. We also look forward to working alongside the growers that contribute to the House of Arras. Their viticultural excellence, collaborative support and commitment to fruit quality highlight Tasmania’s great potential as a sparkling wine region,” said Dillon.
Handpicked Wines CEO and founder William Dong said the company was grateful to be able to keep the Arras brand and its team together under the ownership of an Australian family-owned producer.
“We are confident that the Arras brand will further elevate our current portfolio of luxury brands and bring exceptional choice, craftsmanship and quality to our partners and customers.
“Ultimately, our focus is about creating storied and authentic brands. These core values and the energy is what lies at the heart of our company culture,” said Dong.
