About Us
We’ve been producing world class wine grapes for almost 100 years
If there’s one thing we’re proud of, it’s our heritage. Since 1922, we have worked with wine grape growers from all over the Riverland to consistently supply world class fruit and wine.
Our reputation for quality wine grapes has stood the test of time, through droughts, floods and the many other challenges the region has faced.
The vineyard area of our growers covers nearly 8,000 hectares, and comprises some 55 different winegrape varieties from the popular Chardonnay and Shiraz to the lesser known Pinot Gris and Malbec.
As we approach 100 years of trading wine grapes, our co-op has embarked on it’s biggest modernisation to date. We’re actively re-positioning the co-op to meet the challenges the new world economy presents, and to ensure our growers achieve the best returns possible.
History
1920s
Returned service settlers in the Riverland of South Australia formed the Berri Co-operative Winery & Distillery Ltd. This co-operative was formed to process and market grapes grown by it’s members, mainly consisting of Fortified wines such as Ports and Sherries and also Brandy.
1922-1933
Our Chairmen
1933-1945
Our Chairmen
1945-1967
Our Chairmen
1967-1986
Our Chairmen
1982
The Berri Co-operative merged with it’s counterpart in neighbouring Renmark, the Renmark Growers Co-operative Winery & Distillery Ltd, who marketed the Renmano brand products. The resultant Co-operative was called Consolidated Co-operative Wineries.
1986-1992
Our Chairman
1989
Berri Renmano Ltd was formed and took over the winemaking and marketing role, and CCW Co-operative Ltd became the preferred supplier of grapes.
1992
Berri Renmano and Thomas Hardy combined and resulted in the listed company BRL Hardy and the development of brands such as Banrock Station, a brand which uses grapes sourced from CCW.
1992-2014
Our Chairmen
2014-2018
Our Chairmen
2018-
Our Chairman
2019
CCW still remains the major supplier of grapes to Accolade Wines Australia, the majority being processed at the Berri Estate winery, the largest winery in Australia with an annual intake capacity of over 200,000 tonnes of grapes.
Board of Directors
CCW is a member-owned and controlled Co-operative, governed by rules under the Co-operatives Act. We are managed by a Board of Directors who are active suppliers to CCW.
Our directors all add value to the board’s strategic direction with their combined experience in agriculture, finance, human resources and technology. They all own vineyards or are directly involved in the wine grape industry.
Many have strong family histories with the co-op – some of which date back to it’s origins in 1922.
Sean joined CCW in December 2017.
He has previously held many key executive leadership positions within a variety of industries.
In most recent times, Sean has held the position of Regional Merchandising Manager (Asia Pacific) for Cargill, in the malting industry.
Sean possesses an expert knowledge in procurement, manufacturing, merchandising, commodity trading, hedging, risk management, finance, export and sales, both domestically & internationally. Sean has held the positions of wheat trader for Viterra and Trading Manager for Australian Growers Direct. He has also worked for National foods (now Lion) in the dairy industry and Visy in the packing sector.
Sean holds a Bachelor of Economics, from the University of Adelaide. He has additionally held a previous directorship on the Barley Australia board.
Sean Cole
Ashley is the Chair of CCW, and has strong family links to the co-op dating back 38 years. Ashley is also a Director of Vine Health Australia, and South Australian Murray Irrigators.
He has previously served as a Director on the National Irrigators Council, and supported his local community as part of the Barmera Agricultural Bureau, and the Riverland Field Day Committee.
He attained a Bachelor of Science from Adelaide University, and has worked in a range of roles in various wineries. He now manages his family vineyard in Barmera with wife Natasha and their children.
Ashley Chabrel
Brett has a degree in Agricultural Science from Adelaide University majoring in pest management. His family have been integral to the wine grape industry in the Riverland, and he now manages the family operation of 80 hectares of vines in Paringa, along with other citrus and almond properties.
Brett Broomell
Kevin spent 24 years at Yalumba Wines in finance, IT and HR, and previously managed a large South Australian bakery group. He has an accounting degree from Swinburne University and also spent time with Australian Corporate Treasuries.
Kevin is on the board of the Barossa Co-op, and was previously Chair at Lenswood Co-operative – South Australia’s largest apple producer.
Kevin Renshaw
As a second generation wine grape grower, Sam learnt much of what he knows from his father, who sailed out to Australia in the early 1950’s from southern Italy.
Sam studied rural management at TAFE, and is active in managing his family’s business of 45 hectares of wine grapes and 20 hectares of citrus stretching from Renmark to Pike River.
Sam Albanese
Brenton’s family history in the Riverland dates back over 100 years. He is a fourth generation wine grape grower, and has studied project management and viticulture.
Brenton works for the Department of Environment on the irrigation efficiency team, and has previously worked for Adelaide Uni at the Waite Campus for research and teaching vineyard management.
Brenton Fenwick
As a past Chair of CCW, Peter knows the co-op intimately. He has been a Director since 2003, and adds value to the board’s strategic direction through his vast experience. Peter’s family have been instrumental in securing the future of the Riverland wine grape industry, through lobbying and advocacy on behalf of growers. Peter now continues that tradition by ensuring the co-op is positioned to meet new challenges.
He is an active grower with wife Michelle, and together they own and manage many acres of wine grapes and citrus in the region.
Peter Hill
Michelle has been involved in the family vineyard since 2005, managing
85 acres of vines with her husband at Glossop.
Michelle has a commerce degree majoring in business law from Curtin University, and a strong work history that includes Deloittes, and export and marketing in the Riverland wine industry.
Michelle is now Office Manager at a local law firm overseeing finances and business operations.
Michelle Kennedy
Mintu’s family have been CCW growers “from day one”, and he is delighted to continue the tradition which dates back over 2 decades. He manages 23 hectares of vines in Glossop and Cobdogla, and is proud of the Sikh community’s involvement in the success of the co-op.
Mintu has seen the co-op’s evolution. He is very optimistic about the transformation underway and believes growers should take advantage of CCW’s new position in the market as a leader.
Gurpinder (Mintu) Singh
Viticulturalists
Ian joined CCW as Senior Viticulture Officer in December 2014.
After graduating in Agricultural Science, Ian’s first job was viticultural extension officer with the Victorian Department of Agriculture at Mildura. During this time, Ian led or co-operated in research into regulated deficit irrigation, trellis drying of sultanas, minimal pruning and vine grafting. He then left government service to establish his own viticultural consultancy business, based mainly in Victoria. During this time Ian undertook further studies in viticulture and winemaking at Charles Sturt University.
In 2006, Ian moved to the Riverland and worked as grape supply and vineyard manager at Kingston Estate before joining the CCW team.
Ian Macrae
Ashley joined CCW as Viticultural Officer in September 2016.
Raised on a fruit block in the Riverland an interest in all things agricultural developed. After graduating from Roseworthy Agriculture College with a Degree in Agriculture Science, Ashley joined PIRSA at the Loxton Research Centre and worked for 25 years as an Irrigation Horticultural/Viticultural Extension Officer. The last 5 years of that time delivering agricultural aid programs in the Middle East, North Africa and India.
Ashley Lipman
Company Secretary
Mark Voigt Profile.
