Kirby family sells Hungerford Hill

Kirby family sells Hungerford Hill
Staff reporterDecember 7, 2020

Sam Arnaout, who runs the Sydney-based pub group and developer Iris Capital, is tipped to have expanded his Hunter Valley holdings following the sale by the Kirby family of its Hungerford Hill boutique winery and vineyard in Pokolbin for more than $6 million. 

Hungerford Hill Property Pty Ltd was registered recently with Arnaout the sole director and shareholder.

Earlier this year Arnaout bought the prized nearby 48 hectare Sweetwater, Hunter Valley vineyard estate.

The Sweetwater Mediterranean-style weekender had been listed at around $12 million by Duncan and Lyn Hardie having come with initial hopes of $30 million.

Arnaout, who entered the hotel industry in 1995, has a whole-floor penthouse in the Bennelong apartment complex which was bought from Margaret Maloney, the widow of the hotelier Cyril Maloney for $18 million in 2015.

Established in 1967, Hungerford Hill Wines is an architectural icon, designed by architect Walter Barda on the Hunter’s most coveted gateway corner location, where 1.4 million visitors pass annually. 

The Kirby family acquired the premium Hungerford Hill brand from winemaker Southcorp in 2002. 

James Kirby developed the 22 hectares of land, mature vineyard, 300 tonne winery/cellar door, wine sales business, leased restaurant, brands and IP. It is a James Halliday 5-star winery.

Iris Capital owns some of Sydney's best-known hospitality venues including the Clovelly Hotel, The Bourbon in Potts Point and The Grand at Bondi Junction and a month ago snapped up the Colombian Hotel on Oxford Street from publican David McHugh for more than $15 million.

He has recently listed the popular Clovelly Hotel in Sydney's eastern suburbs having sold The Crest Hotel in Potts Point and the Crown Hotel Parramatta last year.

This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.

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