Tailor Made Spirits has received a Value Add Investment grant from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), which it will use to create a new agrifood, hospitality and tourism venture in the South West.
The grant is from the State Government’s $16.7 million Food and Beverage Fund to help stimulate jobs in the food and beverage businesses throughout Western Australia.
The $400K grant, which requires co-contribution from Tailor Made Spirits, will see the company build The Cowaramup Distillery & Tavern as a spiritual home for not only their flagship West Winds Gin brand, Australia’s Most Awarded Gin.
The asset will also showcase many other local drinks brands based in the South West.
Paul White, Founder/CEO of Tailor Made Spirits and Vice President of the W.A. Distillers Guild said, “This is a pivotal moment in the company’s history, and one that sets the foundation for the future sustained growth and local jobs in Cowaramup and the South West Region.
“We have been distilling in the Margaret River Region since 2014, only made possible with incredible support of local producers – putting not only our heart and soul in to the project but also many of this great land’s unique botanicals into every bottle, not to mention Margaret River Sea Water.
“This opportunity represents a great chance to give back and honour the support we’ve had through this important local development.”
The recent grant will see Tailor Made Spirits break ground on the site within weeks, representing the start of building what will be the first of its kind in Cowaramup and as a beacon for both tourists and local tour companies, as well as a hub for local producers to showcase their own food and drink products.
The Cowaramup Distillery and Tavern will not only bring much needed job opportunities to the region, but it will also be built using locally sourced building materials, including local stone and old timber, as a reflection of the region’s unique landscape. Where possible, the Tavern and Distillery also aims to incorporate options for renewable energy and recycled rainwater, to help reduce both its carbon footprint and impact on the local environment.
Head Distiller at West Winds Gin, Anthony Reynolds, said that this was the realisation of many years of hard work including the distillers that have gone before him.
“I’m incredibly passionate about the fact that this opportunity not only gives us the chance to increase our production volumes, helping us shine the light on our award winning Australian Gins on the world’s stage.
“I will also be able to expand the distilling team in the process, helping to pass on the knowledge and build for the future whilst honouring the legacy of previous distillers.”
The Value Add Investments grants program forms part of broader work by the State Government to drive diversification, regional economic growth and employment by supporting new investment in value-adding, food and drink processing and expansion projects.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Paul White
CEO
Tailor Made Spirits