THE first sod has been turned in a $9 million expansion of Brown Brothers winery at Milawa.

The local wine giant exchanged contracts with builders, Browns Wangaratta, on Wednesday with work starting almost immediately.

The project, to be carried out in two stages, will see the construction of two large concrete and steel clad buildings for use as a dispatch facility and packaging hall.

A double storey brick clad administration office and staff room is also proposed, as well as a new car park area and access road.

Brown Brothers chief executive officer, Ross Brown, said the project would consolidate the company’s existing operations across Australia and overseas, resulting in a more effective and efficient management of wine production and storage practices.

And while it is not expected to increase employee numbers or production, Mr Brown said there was still an air of excitement surrounding the new development.