Brian McGuigan announced this week McGuigan Simeon’s acquisition of Miranda Wines, bringing together two rich winemaking family histories.

The deal – worth $25.5 million in cash and shares – seals McGuigan Simeon’s position as Australia’s second largest grape grower and third largest wine company. It is also one of the most profitable, reporting record profits of $32.2 million.

After announcing the purchase, McGuigan paid homage to the Miranda family’s contribution to the Australian wine industry.

“The Miranda family has made an indelible name in Australian wine over the last 60 years,” McGuigan said.

Miranda Wines began in 1930, when Frank Miranda – just emigrated from Naples - planted grapes in the burgeoning Riverina district.

More than 70 years later, Miranda Wines is Australia’s eighth biggest wine company, with vineyards and wineries in the Riverina, King Valley and Barossa Valley.

“I have known Sam, Lou and Jim Miranda for many years, and know the business well,” McGuigan says. “I have enormous respect for the way they have built the company, and the values they have adopted. Like our company, the new generation has played a significant role, and indeed Sandra Miranda and my daughter Lisa are good friends. The importance of having your name on the label can never be underestimated.”

Announcements on the working structure of the new company are to be made after October 1.

McGuigan envisages the integration between the companies will be as smooth as the 2002 merger between McGuigan and Simeon, where the first full year for the combined McGuigan and Simeon businesses showed a 25% increase in revenue.

The acquisition of Miranda is the third major expansion announcement by McGuigan Simeon in as many months. The development of the 2400 acre Two Rivers vineyard in Victoria and the extension of contracts with Orlando Wyndham confirm McGuigan’s profound faith in continued industry growth.