McLaren Vale’s Lost Buoy Wines has been sold to a local South Australian Company, Savitas Wines Pty Ltd.

The award-winning Lost Buoy’s brand was established in 2012, producing over 5,000 dozen cases per annum. It is currently distributed across Australia and internationally to Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada and the UK. 

Founder Grant Kelley, who is the CEO of Vicinity Centres and Chairman of South Australian company Holdfast Assets which includes Adelaide Basketball (Adelaide 36ers and Adelaide Lightning), Maylands Farm and the Lost Buoys Vineyards, says he remains committed to South Australia’s primary industries.

“I am very proud of what we have achieved with Lost Buoy since we launched and it is now time to hand the wheel over to the crew that will guide it on its next adventure. Savitas Wines, led by CEO Chris Insanally and Chief Wine Maker Matt O’Leary, bring with them a wealth of industry experience which will hold the brand in great stead as it develops,” continued Grant Kelley.

The Lost Buoy vineyards, which lies atop the rugged limestone cliffs of Port Willunga and are the closet vineyards to the sea in Australia, will continue to supply Shiraz and Grenache varietals to the Lost Buoy brand.

Savitas Wines CEO Chris Insanally is excited for the future, saying, “The addition of the Lost Buoy brand means Savitas will continue their exciting journey in building a global portfolio of premium boutique brands.”

Marc Allgrove, Director at Evans + Ayers, who oversaw the deal with the support of Knight Frank’s Associate Director of Agri Business in South Australia, Russell Iles, said the sale reflected the continued belief and growing momentum in the market for Australian wine and the importance of good brands, quality vineyards and passionate people to the future of the Australian wine community.