Cockatoo Ridge is headquartered in the Barossa Valley on the principal road between the two main Barossa towns of Tanunda and Nuriootpa. This high profile site was once the old Hardy's Siegersdorf winery, built in 1930. The property, held under long term lease by Cockatoo Ridge, is being renovated and will include administration, triage (bottle fermenting of sparkling wine) and barrel storage.
The brand's international popularity is growing rapidly, with sales to the United States alone expected to increase from the current 2,000 cases to more than 50,000 over the next 12 months. The strength of the brand lies in dedication to quality wine-making, product consistency, intensive marketing and careful cost control.
The fruit for Cockatoo Ridge's wines is sourced from their own carefully tended vineyards and from reputable contract growers throughout the Barossa Valley. The skilled winemakers often identify additional sources of premium fruit in areas outside the Barossa Valley, without compromising the house style.
Cockatoo Ridge Wines operates on a quality fruit philosophy. While the winery aims for self-sufficiency in fruit supplies, the production system is also geared to sourcing premium grapes from growers who are contracted to meet strict quality standards.
Cockatoo Ridge's philosophy is to deliver optimal value to wine lovers, and to remain responsive to changes in the global wine markets. Long established expertise in viticultural practices has led to a vigorous planting program that's been initiated to ensure adequate supplies to satisfy Cockatoo Ridge's growing domestic and export demand.
The Cockatoo Ridge label was originally owned by Yalumba and was launched in 1991 with a NV sparkling wine. Since its release the label has grown into one of Australia's most recognized wine brands, with the product range now including a selection of table wines. In 2002 Cockatoo Ridge Wines was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Building on strong domestic sales and the introduction of new brands, Cockatoo Ridge have forged strategic relationships with leading distributors in international markets.
The strength of Cockatoo Ridge wines lie in the estate's dedication to quality wine-making, lavish use of superior batches of fruit, and consummate devotion to maintaining the highest Australian viticutural standards. Cockatoo Ridge regularly identify sources of premium fruit, as part of their standard operating procedures, one of the key factors which makes most everything from this estate always so attractive. All wines are crafted to specifications which require a sophisticted and rigorous collation of grapes, for the express purpose of fashioning the finest Australian wine.
