Valmorbida family
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Valmorbida family is an Italian-Australian business family primarily based in Melbourne, Victoria.[1][2][3]
The family is primarily known for their business interests, especially for their role in importing and popularising Italian food imports to Australia, a venture that was the initial source of their wealth built throughout the 20th century. In recent decades, the Valmorbidas have become one of Australia's most prominent families in Australian high society.
In more recent times, the family has a had a number of business interests across Australia, especially in the State of Victoria. These interests include manufacturing, food distribution, wine growing, liquor distribution, property, and financial services.[4]
The family's wealth is reportedly around $500m as of 2021.[5]
Early history
The family's initial wealth was built by three brothers Carlo, Mariano, Tarcisio (Terry), and Saverio Valmorbida; who had migrated to Australian from Vincenza in northern Italy.[6][7] Their first venture was the establishment of a continental grocery store Agostinos, which sold imported Mediterranean and continental food at a time when that food was not yet established in Australia.[6]
In 1954 Carlo founded Conga Foods with Mariano and Saverio. Through this vehicle, the family became well known for being the primary importers of Lavazza coffee, La Gina canned tomatoes,[8] Sirena Tuna, Moro and Val Verde olive oils, Green Valley olives, and Sol Mare tuna to Australia; particularly throughout the 1970s.[9][10]
In 1980 the family bought the Mitchelton winery and under Carlo's son John Valmordia developed it into a well-established winery.[11] In the late 1980s the family invested in a Victorian cheese factory, Tylden Valley, and invested in a vegetable processing factory.[4]
The family's main retail outlet as of the 1990s was the King & Godfree licensed delicatessen in the suburb of Carlton.[4][12]
They also have had historical media interests, owning Italian-language Australian newspapers Il Globo, and La Fiamma, as well as the radio network Rete Italia; outlets that were founded after Terry went into publishing in 1959.[6][13] They also have a stake in Goulburn Border Broadcasters, operating a radio network across regional Victoria.[14]
In an interview with Business Review Weekly, John Valmorbida said of his family's rise, "My father was providing the Italian community with the food that they had left behind. His genius was that he understood that Australians would eventually eat those products as well. He opened up his shops to everybody."[6]
Contemporary business interests
In contemporary times, the family maintains control of a string of businesses including Valcorp Fine Foods which is headed by John Valmorbida. Valcorp is the local distributor for brand names including Lavazza coffee, La Zuppa soup, La Gina tomatoes, Sirena tuna and Evian water.[6] At some point John bought out Paul's stake in the Valcorp business.[6]
They also own:
- Casama Group, the parent company of a collection of wine production (Joval), distribution companies (red + white, Mezzanine) and retailers; including the distribution of Shaw + Smith, Giant Steps and Plumm.
- BAM Logistics, a company specialised in providing temperature-controlled transport and storage.
As of 2021 the family's wealth is reportedly $500m.[5] In 1990 the family's minimum net worth was estimated by the AFR as $60m; equivalent to $132,950,448 in 2022.[4]
Noteworthy members
The Valmorbida family are reported to generally keep a low profile.
Some of the more noteworthy members of the family include:
- Carlo Valmorbida, family patriarch and co-founder of Agostinos.[7]
- John Valmorbida, son of Carlo.[15][16] Head of Valcorp Fine Foods.[6] Given task of running Goulburn Valley's Mitchelton Winery in 1978.[11][17]
- Amanda Holmes a Court (née Valmorbida), daughter of John, and wife of Tim Holmes a Court.[18][9][3]
- Jamie Valmorbida, former partner of Montana Cox, son of John.[6][19]
- Lisa Valmorbida, cordon bleu chef, founder of gelateria micro-chain Pidapipo, daughter of John.[6][20]
- Paul Valmorbida, son of Carlo, former partner of Tottie Goldsmith.[21]
- David Valmorbida, Executive Chairman of Conga Foods[22], son of Saverio[23]
- Andy Valmorbida, socialite, playboy,[24] international art dealer, son of Paul. He made headlines in 2008 after his credit card was stolen by US oil heir Brandon Davis who had been cut off from his family fortune; as well as his parties with Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan.[25][26][27][28] Made headlines again in 2021 after admitting to a US court he had forged documents to obtain loans against paintings that he did not actually own.[29] Husband of Zara Simon, heiress to British retail magnate Peter Simon.[30]
- PC Valmorbida, son of Paul, former partner of Theodora Richards.[31]
- Mariano Valmorbida, family patriarch and co-founder of Agostinos.[7]
- The late Adrian Valmorbida, property developer and son of Mariano.[5] An inheritance dispute before Supreme Court justice Jim Delany involving his surviving children and widower Kairu Chan received headline reporting from The Age in 2021.[32]
- Saverio Valmorbida, family patriarch and co-founder of Agostinos.[7]
- Terry Valmorbida, family patriarch and co-founder of Agostinos.[7]
- Michael Valmorbida, son of Terry, founder of Split Rock water.[33]
- Julian Valmorbida-Paradiso, guitarist of Melbourne-based indie rock band Radio Free Alice .
References
- ↑ Astarita, Claudia. "Meet the Italian family who taught Australia "how to eat"". Panorama.
- ↑ Bleby, Michael (30 April 2020). "Valmorbida family goes back to its grocery roots". Australian Financial Review.
- 1 2 Coster, Alice (18 March 2022). "Page 13: Valmorbida and Holmes 'A Court dynasties to unite by marriage". Herald Sun.
- 1 2 3 4 "THE VALMORBIDA FAMILY". Australian Financial Review. 6 April 1990.
- 1 2 3 Brook, Stephen; Hutchinson, Samantha (24 September 2021). "Coffee family legal fight grinds on". Sydney Morning Herald.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Khadem, Nassim (24 July 2013). "Rich families: How the Valmorbidas became Australia's culinary godfathers". Australian Financial Review. Archived from the original on 4 April 2017.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Oil heir swipes $120,000 from Aussie Andy". Sydney Morning Herald. 22 November 2008.
According to this year's BRW rich list, the Melbourne-based Valmorbida family is worth $501 million and was founded by brothers Carlo, Mariano, Tarcisio (Terry) and Saverio, who migrated from northern Italy in 1950.
- ↑ Jay, Christopher (14 Apr 1993). "$100M BUSINESS GREW FROM FAMILY IMPORTER". Australian Financial Review.
- 1 2 Lucy, Manly (8 November 2020). "Tim Holmes a Court to wed Lavazza importing heiress Amanda Valmorbida". Sydney Morning Herald.
- ↑ "Oil heir swipes $120,000 from Aussie Andy". Sydney Morning Herald. 22 November 2008.
Their food products include Moro and Val Verde olive oils, Green Valley olives, Sol Mare tuna, La Gina tomato products and Lavazza coffee.
- 1 2 Gall, Darren (2018-06-06). "Wine Gangs". Vindochine. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
In 1978, when the Valmorbida family purchased the Mitchelton Winery in Victoria's Goulburn Valley, the task of running the winery was given to John. He has been passionately immersed in the wine industry ever since.
- ↑ Levin, Sofia (22 February 2022). "Building an Italian Empire: Stories From King & Godfree, the 150-Year-Old Jewel in Lygon Street's Crown". Broadsheet.
- ↑ "Playboy in a pickle". The Sydney Morning Herald. 22 November 2008. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
They also own the Italian-language newspapers Il Globo and La Fiamma, and the radio network Rete Italia.
- ↑ "Families". Australian Financial Review. 23 May 2002.
The family has a stake in Goulburn Border Broadcasters, which operates a network of radio stations in regional Victoria and has shares in Data Commerce (the owner of 3AK and 3MP).
- ↑ "Building an Italian Empire: Stories From King & Godfree, the 150-Year-Old Jewel in Lygon Street's Crown". Broadsheet.
My father used to look at that corner block in the heart of little Italy, where Lygon Street meets Faraday, and aspired to own it," says his son John Valmorbida.
- ↑ Gall, Darren (2018-06-06). "Wine Gangs". Vindochine. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
The Joval Family Wine group is the brainchild of owner John Valmorbida, whose family's involvement in the food and wine industry in Australia began when his father Carlo -an adventurous young racing car driver- left Italy for the shores of Australia in 1949.
- ↑ Garvey, Andrew (29 October 2011). "Champagne could flow ... in the coffee tent". Sydney Morning Herald.
- ↑ "Society wedding unites two of Australia's wealthiest families". The Daily Telegraph. 19 March 2022.
- ↑ "Are things getting serious between model Montana Cox and boyfriend Jamie Valmorbida?". The Daily Telegraph. 16 August 2015.
- ↑ "A sneak peek at Pidapipo Laboratorio, the futuristic new dessert playground opening in Fitzroy".
Pidapipo founder Lisa Valmorbida is thrilled to open the Fitzroy space, which has been three years in the making.
- ↑ "Mum on pension the biggest secret". Sydney Morning Herald. May 19, 2007.
His father, Paul, once appeared in the social pages with his then girlfriend, Tottie Goldsmith.
- ↑ "Meet the Team". Conga Foods. Coburg North, Victoria, Australia. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ↑ "Saverio Valmorbida Obituary". The Age. Melbourne, Australia. 27 June 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ↑ Hornery, Andrew (19 May 2007). "Mum on pension the biggest secret". Sydney Morning Herald.
This week the New York Post described Valmorbida as an "Australian playboy".
- ↑ "Oil heir swipes $120,000 from Aussie Andy". Sydney Morning Herald. 22 November 2008.
The Post report said Davis rang up $US75,000 ($120,000) on a credit card he "swiped" from Valmorbida. Valmorbida said the report was "accurate", but was reluctant to elaborate.
- ↑ "Oil heir swipes $120,000 from Aussie Andy". The Age. 22 November 2008.
Valmorbida says he intends to be in Sydney for News Year's Eve to celebrate with his "good friend" Paris Hilton ... Valmorbida, who was more keen to talk about his work as an art dealer, throwing lavish parties, hosting art shows around the world, attracting the rich and famous ...
- ↑ Hornery, Andrew (19 May 2007). "Mum on pension the biggest secret". Sydney Morning Herald.
This time the spotlight is on Andy Valmorbida, part of the wealthy Melbourne family famed for importing olive oil and for the Italian-language newspapers Il Globo and La Fiamma, who is causing a storm in the US on the arms of everyone from Paris Hilton to Lindsay Lohan.
- ↑ Hornery, Andrew (2007-05-19). "Mum on pension the biggest secret". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
Two days after his outing in the Post, Valmorbida was making headlines in the New York Daily News, which reported he was snogging Lohan in an Los Angeles club.
- ↑ O'Neil, Patrick (24 October 2021). "Australian art dealer admits to multimillion-dollar frauds over Bacon, Basquiat paintings". Australian Financial Review.
The judges concluded Mr Valmorbida did not own the paintings, but used forged documents to suggest he did, and that he then used the paintings as collateral to get personal loans worth more than $10 million from major international art trading houses including Sotheby's.
- ↑ O'Neil, Patrick (24 October 2021). "Australian art dealer admits to multimillion-dollar frauds over Bacon, Basquiat paintings". Australian Financial Review.
In 2014 he married socialite Zara Simon, daughter of Peter Simon, the retail tycoon behind £600 million British fashion empire Monsoon. The wedding was celebrated at Blenheim Palace.
- ↑ "Mum on pension the biggest secret". Sydney Morning Herald. May 19, 2007.
his brother PC has had an on/off relationship with Theodora Richards, the international model daughter of the Rolling Stones guitarist Keith.
- ↑ Estcourt, David; O'Neil, Patrick (19 September 2020). "Valmorbida patriarch pitted against son's widow in multimillion-dollar will dispute". The Age.
- ↑ "Families". Australian Financial Review. 23 May 2002.
Michael Valmorbida, one of Terry's sons, started Split Rock water.