By KATH GANNAWAY
BROWN Brothers will make their entry into the Yarra Valley with the purchase announced today (Tuesday) of the Innocent Bystander brand.
Healesville will have the best of two strong brands – Innocent Bystander and Giant Steps.
Brown Brothers has bought the ‘IB’ name and the adjacent former White Rabbit brewery building which it is planned will become their outlet for the Innocent Bystander wines.
Giant Steps general manager, Suzanne Tyzack told the Mail they would work with Brown Brothers to develop the site with a forecast opening in spring.
“Up until that time, nothing will change,” Ms Tyzack said.
“We will still sell and promote Innocent Bystander wines but when that opens we will close for a few weeks, do a bit of a renovation and re-open as Giant Steps.”
Speaking on behalf of Brown Brothers, fourth generation family member, Caroline Brown, said having a presence in the Yarra Valley wine industry was very exciting for the company which was 126 years old.
“The proximity to Melbourne is very exciting as well,” Ms Brown said.
“Milawa is about three hours from Melbourne and this is a great opportunity to have a presence in the Yarra Valley.”
