Ermenegildo Zegna gets into NSW wool production for the first time

The sixth-generation wool grower Charlie ­Coventry has teamed with Ermenegildo Zegna in a wool production enterprise in NSW’s New England region.

The Italian luxury fashion label has bought into Achill, a 175-year-old sheep farm taking a 60% stake.

Achill is 2,564 ­hectares with 12,500 sheep in production of super fine wool.

Coventry was reportedly opposed to an outright sale to the Zegna Group as he loved his farm which was "in his blood."

He and Mr Zegna are setting up the venture with a wool buyer, Don Belgre, joining the company as the third ­member of the board.

“This joint venture is a clever move and one step towards invigorating the marketing of wool,” chairman of ­Australian Wool Innovation, Walter Merriman said.

Mr Zegna said Ermenegildo Zegna is not planning any further expansion into wool production, the AAP report noted.

Coventry says his 70-year-old father Tyrll can hang up his work boots, while his wife Dorianne, reckons she'll soon get a trip to Italy.

There was a Charles George Achill Coventry in the family history.