Casella Family Brands has revealed that its RTD and beer divisions are delivering significant profit growth for the company.

The winemaker famed for producing global juggernaut [yellow tail] has diversified into new markets in recent years and the move is paying off. Its portfolio now ranges from Peter Lehmann wines to Morris Whisky, Yenda beer, Pressman’s Cider and Ampersand Vodka & Soda.

The Australian Beer Co (ABCo), a subsidiary of Casella Family Brands expanded its RTDs in 2023 when it acquired Ampersand Projects. It also took over distribution of the popular Better Beer brand portfolio in late 2024.

Ampersand posted sales of $20.16 million in 2024, up from $2.747 million in 2023, while packaged beer sales for ABCo rose to $16.25 million from $6.46 million in 2023.

“While it [Ampersand and RTDs] is outside wine, remember, we’ve got a brewery, a brewery has got a bottling line and capability of mixing and so on,” managing director John Casella (above) told The Australian.

“So it was a big move to go into brewing, it wasn’t a big move to then get into RTDs.”

“It’s about diversity and making good use of the assets we have, both physical and workforce assets. We have whisky, we have got RTDs, we have beer and so we are a beverage company as much as a wine company, predominantly wine, but a beverage company.”

Overall sales for Casella Family Brands were $536.56 million in FY24, up from $476.41 million in FY23, an increase of 12.6%. Wine sales delivered $411.7 million in revenue in 2024, up 4.5%.

The numbers are impressive in an industry battling issues ranging from cost-of-living concerns, falling alcohol consumption and rising supply chain costs.

In September last year, The Australian released its Richest 250 of 2025 list. At number 78 was John Casella, who co-owns Casella Family Brands with his brothers Guiseppe and Marcello. Their combined wealth was estimated at $2.02 billion, up from $1.82 billion in 2024.