THE long overlooked Great Southern wine region is pushing to raise its profile by developing a wine and fresh produce centre modelled on a highly successful South Australian project.
THE long overlooked Great Southern wine region is pushing to raise its profile by developing a wine and fresh produce centre modelled on a highly successful South Australian project.
The Great Southern Development Commission has applied to the Commonwealth Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business for $22,000 to undertake a feasibility study into the proposed wine centre, an idea that has been talked about by the local wine makers for years. The GSDC will contribute $8000.
GCDC tourism development officer Jay Cook said the study would examine the viability, management, best location and possible activities of a regional wine centre.
And rather than base it on near neighbour, the Margaret River Regional Wine Centre, the Great Southern wine centre is more likely to be modelled on the McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Visitors Centre in South Australia.
“We have been looking around and we have found that one to be the best model for a wine centre,” Mr Cook said. “It is an interesting model that has a lot of support from the industry.”
The McLaren Vale centre has proven a great success, not only showcasing the region’s popular wines, but also its fresh produce and work from local artists.
The centre generates its own income streams from a boutique shiraz vineyard and orchards of pistachios, olives and avocado.
Mr Cook said that, as the Great Southern was establishing a reputation not only for its wines but also for its range of fresh produce, following McLaren Vale’s example of combining the two would be a step in the right direction.
“People come into this region looking for an entire experience … we would like to find a way to put it all together, the wineries, the fresh produce, the accommodation and tourist facilities,” he said.
“The fresh produce is equally as important to the region as the wineries.”
Mr Cook suggested tasting activities would be included at the wine centre, but stressed the centre would not compete with the region’s cellar door operations.
Great Southern Wine Producers Association executive officer David Wyatt said the concept was widely supported by the region’s wine producers.
“In recent times local wine and food producers have recognised a need to work together to attract tourists to the region,” he said.
“Such a centre would provide a focus for the wine industry, which is needed.”
The Great Southern Development Commission has applied to the Commonwealth Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business for $22,000 to undertake a feasibility study into the proposed wine centre, an idea that has been talked about by the local wine makers for years. The GSDC will contribute $8000.
GCDC tourism development officer Jay Cook said the study would examine the viability, management, best location and possible activities of a regional wine centre.
And rather than base it on near neighbour, the Margaret River Regional Wine Centre, the Great Southern wine centre is more likely to be modelled on the McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Visitors Centre in South Australia.
“We have been looking around and we have found that one to be the best model for a wine centre,” Mr Cook said. “It is an interesting model that has a lot of support from the industry.”
The McLaren Vale centre has proven a great success, not only showcasing the region’s popular wines, but also its fresh produce and work from local artists.
The centre generates its own income streams from a boutique shiraz vineyard and orchards of pistachios, olives and avocado.
Mr Cook said that, as the Great Southern was establishing a reputation not only for its wines but also for its range of fresh produce, following McLaren Vale’s example of combining the two would be a step in the right direction.
“People come into this region looking for an entire experience … we would like to find a way to put it all together, the wineries, the fresh produce, the accommodation and tourist facilities,” he said.
“The fresh produce is equally as important to the region as the wineries.”
Mr Cook suggested tasting activities would be included at the wine centre, but stressed the centre would not compete with the region’s cellar door operations.
Great Southern Wine Producers Association executive officer David Wyatt said the concept was widely supported by the region’s wine producers.
“In recent times local wine and food producers have recognised a need to work together to attract tourists to the region,” he said.
“Such a centre would provide a focus for the wine industry, which is needed.”
