By Deborah Jackson, Editor, National Liquor News
Barossa Valley based family-owned winery Château Tanunda has a new Managing Director with second generation family member Michelle Geber stepping into the top job, reporting to the board.
Geber has taken the reigns from her father, John Geber, who acquired Château Tanunda in 1998 and revived the decrepit estate, bringing it back to its former glory.
The Geber family are proud custodians of Château Tanunda, a heritage icon of the Barossa with more than 128 years of fine winemaking behind it.
Under Geber ownership, the last 20 years has seen a remarkable investment and restoration period with significant developments in the sunken garden and croquet lawn, maturation cellars, basket press winery and a dynamic strategy of purchasing key vineyards, which has launched the winery onto the international stage to considerable acclaim.
“Our international success is well documented; we are the number one Barossa brand in Russia and Switzerland with Château Tanunda’s ‘Grand Barossa’ collection of wines, and hold leading positions throughout Europe in Germany, Poland, Belgium and other countries. Our export strength is something we take great pride in as a family, and I am looking forward to giving more focus to the domestic side of the business,” said Michelle Geber.
“Like many family businesses – ours is undergoing a generational change,” said John Geber. “The opportunities for luxury, family owned Australian wine in key Asian and Australian markets is well known.
“We’ve recently appointed key sales and marketing personnel to capitalise on our export growth as well as exciting new domestic opportunities, with a dedicated management team the focus is entirely on delivering these new strategies under Michelle’s leadership.”
Michelle started her career in wine marketing roles with renowned wine companies Banfi and Concha Y Toro, where in 2009 she launched Château Tanunda in the USA. In 2012 she moved back to Australia to take up the Sales and Marketing role in the family business leading success in the Australian, Chinese and European markets and consolidating the luxury wine strategy of the company.
“The Barossa is in high growth internationally and we are well-positioned to act on this, we continue to expand in the luxury part of the market through our Old Vines Expressions range of wines, Single Vineyard and ‘The Chateau’ range,” she said.
“I am supported by a very disciplined and dynamic team and our portfolio exudes genuine craftsmanship and authenticity with over 280 acres of our own vineyards in the Barossa, forming an integral part of our growth.”
John Geber will retain the position of Chairman of the group of companies supported by the advisory board.