Chinese list Wandin Valley vineyard

Chinese list Wandin Valley vineyard
Staff reporterDecember 7, 2020

Wandin Valley, the Hunter Valley winery named after a fictional village in the 1980s hit TV series A Country Practice, has been listed for sale.

It last sold for $7 million, less than two years ago when bought by a director of one of China's largest animation studios, Lap Tung Tsoi.

The Lovedale property was originally known as Millstone Vineyard.

The 40-hectare property was renamed Wandin Valley by the creator of A Country Practice, James Davern, and his wife Philippa following their purchase in 1990 for $900,000.

The Davern's redeveloped the property into a winery, building the cricket pavilion-style main residence, manager's cottage, modern cellar, function rooms for weddings, and adding the tourist accommodation.

It was sold by the couple in 2010 for $4.75 millio to the Mosman couple Katrina and Russell Leslie, who once worked as a Macquarie investment banker.

The estate’s wine history dates back to 1973 when potter-winemaker Peter Dobinson planted a vineyard, calling it Millstone.

Chinese list Wandin Valley vineyard

"It is Australian country, blending with Southern European architecture, nestled amongst 35 year old vines and olive groves creates an inspiring setting which ensures customer visitation," Jurds agent Cain Beckett said.

Tsoi is a director in his family's international animation and toy manufacturing empire Alpha Group which was founded by his billionaire brother, Cai Dongqing, who was a co-producer of China's all-time highest box office grossing movie The Mermaid.

Tsoi owns an $11.7 million mansion in Vaucluse.

 

This article first appeared in The Sunday Telegraph. 

 

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