04, February 2016

Grant Funding Expands McLaren Vale's Offering

Famous for its award winning winemakers and wines, McLaren Vale is now developing a reputation for producing premium distilled spirits and expertly brewed beers part in thanks to a South Australian Government Regional Development Fund (RDF) grant.

The newly constructed McLaren Vale Distillery is one of the region’s latest recipients of RDF Round Two funding, with Founder John Rochfort and Directors Jock Harvey and Christopher, Lachlan and Nick Rochfort, already noticing the benefits of the grant funds in the region.

“We’ve seen unprecedented growth in quality, boutique distilled spirits within the market, so this new venture not only increases economic growth for the region and regional South Australia, but creates new jobs and improves local career opportunities too,” said Mr Harvey.

John Rochfort has reinforced the benefits of investing in the region. “In every step of our project we aim to use local suppliers which will have a flow-on effect for regional businesses, bringing great value to McLaren Vale and surrounds,” said Mr Rochfort.

The McLaren Vale Distillery is one of a handful of regional projects that will reap the social and economic benefits of the funding, with d’Arenberg also receiving support for their Cube development - a five storey multi-function building set among the winery’s Mourvèdre vines.

The d’Arenberg Cube will include a new tasting room, several bars, another restaurant, private tasting rooms, office accommodation and state of the art facilities on each level.

McLaren Vale Grape Wine and Tourism Association General Manager, Jennifer Lynch, has praised the South Australian Government’s investment in regional communities, helping to develop infrastructure and grow capability.

“Ensuring our region’s future prosperity is vital for long-term sustainable growth and these funding opportunities increase business capability and offering – in turn, elevating our region’s position on a national and international stage,” said Ms Lynch.

“This funding aligns directly with the Government’s economic priority of Premium food and wine produced in our clean environment and exported to the world, and will further improve McLaren Vale’s diversity of offering for Australian and international visitors.”

The McLaren Vale Distillery is on schedule to officially open for trade in May, with the d’Arenberg Cube to follow in late 2016.

>>>END