TE RELEASE
10 April 2018
Prominent Mudgee food and wine champions David Lowe and Kim Currie face losing their farm and business within the next few days due to an ongoing dispute with a business partner. The couple is hoping to raise awareness of their situation with the objective of attracting investment to secure their iconic regional businesses. Lowe and Currie have a long history of supporting Australia’s food and wine industry at a local, state and national level and are now in urgent need of support themselves.
"With the partner refusing to sell, negotiate or mediate ownership of the existing wine business, it makes it almost impossible for us to raise the necessary funds through normal means," winegrower, David Lowe explained.
There has been an outpouring of support for David and Kim from the food and wine community, including the establishment of a web based fund raising platform. Donations to the campaign can be made online at https://au.gofundme.com/keep-lowe-winery-in-the-lowe-family until this Thursday 12 April.
The established wine business, along with its organic vineyard and ‘hatted’ restaurant The Zin House, resides on the historic property, which has been in the Lowe family since 1823. This property and its 195-year history are culturally significant to the Mudgee region and are regularly featured by Destination NSW and Tourism Australia in tourist promotions.
"The two businesses are financially successful and have added value to the food and wine culture of the region. We have received great moral support from Mudgee and there is a real concern of the potential loss of these businesses on this thriving community.
"We have been working tirelessly over a long period of time to come to an agreement with this business partner so that they can walk away with what is owed. The previous loan offers we have are conditional on us also being in sole control of the business; a ‘Catch 22’."
Several private investors have approached David and Kim to discuss supporting their businesses financially. These loans will be secured against the property with an option to convert to investment in the wine making business at a later stage.
"We are seeking urgent support via a capital injection and appreciate any help in spreading the word to assist in the future of not only these two businesses but the booming food and wine economy in our region."
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