Rare Opportunity to Acquire Premier Hospitality Venue in Renowned Yarra Valley

13 November 2024
Innocent Bystander Healesville

Substantially refurbished venue near renowned wineries up for sale

Award-winning winery Innocent Bystander’s renowned Healesville cellar door, located at 334 Maroondah Highway, Healesville, Victoria, is now available for purchase through Colliers on behalf of The Brown Family Wine Group, as freehold going concern (property & business).

The asset was first acquired by Brown Family Wine Group in 2016, which recognised the significant potential of its prime location, strategically situated near the world-class wine region of the Yarra Valley. The Brown Family Wine Group has continually invested in the site over the years, and a substantial upgrade was completed in 2017.

Since then, the Healesville location has become a standout destination, offering a premium, flexible hospitality experience. With its unique ambience, state-of-the-art kitchen and pizza oven, L-shaped bar that can accommodate multiple tastings, private dining room, and outdoor garden space, the venue is suited for a wide range of events, from intimate gatherings to corporate functions and live performances.

Situated in the heart of the esteemed Yarra Valley, this 800 sqm property offers an attractive proposition due to its proximity to an abundance of highly regarded and quality wineries. The Yarra Valley is a premier wine district and a renowned tourist destination in Victoria, celebrated for its picturesque landscapes, gourmet food, and vibrant arts scene.

Colliers Executive Lucas Soccio commented, “The asset will be offered as a freehold going concern, allowing hospitality operators to continue running the business or astute investors to take advantage of the proximity to the Yarra Valley.”

“The property, which sits on a land area of 1,458 sqm, presents the flexibility for future owners to explore a range of uses, whether they wish to maintain the current operations or endeavour new ventures.”

Ben Baines, Director at Colliers, added, “The asset provides a pure turn-key operation, which is desirable given the high fitout and construction costs. The quality improvements and substantial refurbishments that have been recently undertaken make this property a standout in the market.”

The Brown Family Wine Group has been producing wines for over 130 years and has evolved from a single brand to a family of brands that now includes Brown Brothers, Devil’s Corner, Tamar Ridge, Pirie, and Innocent Bystander.

The decision to sell comes as the Brown Family Wine Group announces a new strategic direction for Innocent Bystander, focusing on creating urban wine experiences across Australia. This transition marks an exciting evolution for the brand, moving beyond its Yarra Valley roots to engage a broader consumer base.

The sale is managed by Colliers agents Lucas Soccio, Ben Baines, Duncan McCulloch and James Zhuang, with the Expressions of Interest Campaign closing on 4 December 2024 at 2pm (AEDT).