A wine country destination in regional NSW long favoured by cashed-up buyers, including supermodel Miranda Kerr and her Snapchat founder husband, Evan Spiegel, has notched another major sale.
A couple who previously set a record-breaking $26 million sale in Byron Bay have offloaded a luxury estate in the Hunter Valley, achieving one of the top prices for a private residence in the Pokolbin area.
Fiona Toltz Gower, daughter of the late stockbroker Michael Toltz, and husband Joren Gower sold the 60-acre estate in April.
Updated sales records reveal the property at 493 Marrowbone Road recently settled for $7.225 million.
According to industry sources, a buyer from Sydney is believed to have secured the property as a weekend retreat.
It was marketed with a price guide of $7 million to $7.5 million by Grant Dale and Peter Kakos at Atlas Byron Bay.
Known as Glen Oak, the property was previously held for three generations by the Stevens family, who produced fruit for winemakers Lindeman's and Tyrrell's.
Cotality property records show the Gowers paid $4 million for the estate in 2022 before undertaking a high-end transformation.
The estate hit the market last November transformed into a luxury compound, comprising a four-bedroom main residence and a renovated 120-year-old cottage.
While Mr Dale could not be reached for comment, he previously told The Newcastle Herald the Gowers were selling to embark on a new development project.
In 2022, a Suffolk Park hinterland estate owned by the couple smashed Byron Shire sales records when it sold off-market for $26 million to Clare Mulham, daughter of billionaire Imelda Roche and the late Bill Roche.
From supermodels to wealthy Sydneysiders, Pokolbin continues to attract buyers with deep pockets.
The $7.225 million result falls just shy of the $7.5 million achieved in late 2024 for the 36-acre Constable Estate at 205 Gillards Road.
The property, which features a circular Suters architect-designed home, sold to an interstate buyer.
Other high-value sales in Pokolbin include Olio Mio Estate, a 68-acre estate with a Tuscan-style home which sold for $7.9 million in 2021.
In 2020, Loggerheads Estate was purchased for $6.9 million by Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr and Snapchat founder Evan Spiegel.
Nearby Lovedale has also seen strong momentum earlier this year.
A 25-acre holding at 307 Wilderness Road sold off-market to a Central Coast investor in the $3.75 million to $4 million range in April, while a luxury estate at 18-40 Londons Road featuring two homesteads with underground wine cellars fetched $4 million in May.
Jurds Real Estate agent Cain Beckett said market activity hit a high point in late autumn.
"There was a peak of activity just prior to the federal budget, with strong settlements in May and June," Mr Beckett said.
"I've had recent offers on properties at $5.4 million and $7.4 million that didn't ultimately transact, simply because owners chose not to sell."
Other notable sales in Hunter Valley wine country this year include a five-bedroom homestead on almost 80 acres at 658 De Beyers Road, Pokolbin, which settled in May for $4.6 million to a Newcastle-based buyer.
