The Rouge Homme wine brand has been re-acquired by the Redman family, 60 years after it was sold to Lindeman’s Wines, owned by Treasury Wine Estates (TWE).
The handover was marked by a special lunch at the Wynns Coonawarra Estate, with multiple generations of Redman family winemakers, former Rouge Homme colleagues and the local Wynns’ winemaking and viticulture team gathering to celebrate a full-circle moment.
Treasury Wine Estates senior viticulturist, Ben Harris, said the company was proud to have been the custodians of Rouge Homme, and delighted that it’s been acquired by the Redman family.
“With storied brands, unmistakable terroir and exceptional wines, global interest in the Coonawarra region continues to grow, and we look forward to following the next chapter of the Rouge Homme story,” said Harris.
The Redman family’s Coonawarra story began in 1901, when Bill Redman arrived in the region and started work at the original John Riddoch cellars, part of today’s Wynns Coonawarra Estate. He purchased 16 hectares of vineyards in 1908, and began making his own wine the following year – initially sold in bulk to producers including Yalumba, Wynns, Penfolds and Lindeman’s.
Bill’s son Owen joined the family business in 1937, and the Rouge Homme brand was born in 1952, putting a French twist on the family surname. The first wine was a Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz blend, with the first Rouge Homme bottling selling out within six months.
The winery, label and vineyard acreage was purchased by Lindeman’s in 1965, with the company continuing to market and sell wine under the Rouge Homme brand. After years of critical acclaim and a growing global interest in wines from the Coonawarra region, the brand has come back under family ownership.
Owen continued to produce wine under a new brand, Redman Wines, and the company intends to produce a small premium release of Rouge Homme to honour the brand’s heritage, while continuing to make wines for today.
Redman Wines fourth-generation winemaker, Dan Redman, said the return of Rouge Homme comes at a particularly meaningful time.
“It's a natural full-circle moment. We’re celebrating 60 years of Redman Wines this year. It’s really lovely to return the original label that my grandfather and great grandfather set up in the 50s back into the Redman portfolio,” he said.
“We're proud to take this iconic Coonawarra brand into the future. Particularly special for Dad (Bruce) and my uncle Mal who recall the early days when the brand was run by their father. It was the brand that sparked their interest in winemaking, a legacy that has now continued for 45 vintages. We can’t wait to reintroduce a new generation of wine lovers to the medium-bodied style that we make in Coonawarra.
“Rouge Homme will be a premium style, medium-bodied classic Coonawarra Cabernet claret-style wine. We’re passionate about continuing to make great wines under this iconic label for future generations to enjoy,” said Redman.
Redman Wines stated the sale includes a small quantity of back-vintage wine, which will be offered first to Redman Wine Club members and those subscribed to Redman Wines eNewsletter, with further information and updates available online at redman.com.au.
