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]
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 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]
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:
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]
The Valmorbida family are reported to generally keep a low profile.
Some of the more noteworthy members of the family include:
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.
Their food products include Moro and Val Verde olive oils, Green Valley olives, Sol Mare tuna, La Gina tomato products and Lavazza coffee.
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.
They also own the Italian-language newspapers Il Globo and La Fiamma, and the radio network Rete Italia.
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).
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.
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.
Pidapipo founder Lisa Valmorbida is thrilled to open the Fitzroy space, which has been three years in the making.
His father, Paul, once appeared in the social pages with his then girlfriend, Tottie Goldsmith.
This week the New York Post described Valmorbida as an "Australian playboy".
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.
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 ...
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.
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.
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.
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.
his brother PC has had an on/off relationship with Theodora Richards, the international model daughter of the Rolling Stones guitarist Keith.
Michael Valmorbida, one of Terry's sons, started Split Rock water.
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]
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 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]
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:
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]
The Valmorbida family are reported to generally keep a low profile.
Some of the more noteworthy members of the family include:
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.
Their food products include Moro and Val Verde olive oils, Green Valley olives, Sol Mare tuna, La Gina tomato products and Lavazza coffee.
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.
They also own the Italian-language newspapers Il Globo and La Fiamma, and the radio network Rete Italia.
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).
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.
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.
Pidapipo founder Lisa Valmorbida is thrilled to open the Fitzroy space, which has been three years in the making.
His father, Paul, once appeared in the social pages with his then girlfriend, Tottie Goldsmith.
This week the New York Post described Valmorbida as an "Australian playboy".
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.
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 ...
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.
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.
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.
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.
his brother PC has had an on/off relationship with Theodora Richards, the international model daughter of the Rolling Stones guitarist Keith.
Michael Valmorbida, one of Terry's sons, started Split Rock water.