With the holiday season coming up there are plenty of spots around regional Victoria to savour some boutique brews, wines and spirits. We proudly support local producers and here’s a round up of those we’ve recently backed, allowing some of Victoria’s best to make their mark across the state.
Blackman’s Brewery, Grovedale
First stop, we’re taking you to Blackman’s Brewery in the Geelong suburb of Grovedale. It’s the third site for this household name along Victoria’s Surf Coast and Bellarine. Following success at their Ocean Grove and Torquay sites, owners Renn and Jess Blackman received our support to help grow the beer industry in Geelong and open up a third site.
The latest arrival has now become the primary brewery facility where Blackman’s beer is made and packed on site. Walk through the carpark and soak in the industrial vibes where you’ll meet a hidden tropical oasis complete with made to order wood fired pizza, open bar and playground for the kids. The new site has supported 43 hospitality jobs and expanded its brewing capability.
Hop Temple, Ballarat
A hop, skip and a jump away will land you in Ballarat’s Hop Temple. A popular spot for its festive Christmas in July live carols and mulled wine and cider, we’re helping make it a must drink destination all year round.
Our investment will see the build of a new hub for distilling and brewing. The hub will showcase the region’s boutique brews and spirits with a tasting area, cellar door, distillery tours and teaching spaces working with Ballarat’s very own Federation University. Helping pin Ballarat on the map as a craft beer destination, the hub will create 14 jobs during construction and 32 jobs when complete.
Dal Zotto Winery, King Valley
Take a wander up to King Valley’s wine region, famous for Victoria’s best prosecco and you’ll come across Dal Zotto Winery. After you’ve sampled their range of wines in a personal cellar door experience, bring a glass over for lunch in their restaurant featuring an Italian-inspired menu. Whether you choose the handmade pasta or wood fired pizza, you’ll of course need a place to stay when it’s time for that delicious siesta.
We’re investing in the build of accommodation located right in the winery, made from environmentally friendly shipping containers. Sleep near the vineyards and wonderous garden complete with veggie patch - grown by Nonna Elena Dal Zotto.
The new accommodation will be welcoming guests in early 2023.
Mountain Distilling, New Gisborne
Affectionately called the holy water of drinking holes, gin distilleries are gaining momentum in Victoria. At the peak of our list is Mountain Distilling, nestled in New Gisborne in the foothills of the Macedon Ranges. The brainchild of a beer salesman and winemaker, their innovative internationally award-winning gins infuse native botanical ingredients foraged locally with more traditional flavours.
Our support has seen the distillery expand, creating 17 new full-time jobs, including warehousing and logistics, product development and marketing. The expansion will also increase the flow of gin produced, making more than 12 times the current volume of the company’s signature Mountain Gin.
Building a new ’distillery door’ is truly the icing on the top of the mountain, providing a tasting experience that includes meeting the makers and foraging workshops.
Glenmaggie Wines
Drive past Traralgon through the cooler climate of Gippsland and wineries are aplenty. In the small lakeside town of Glenmaggie, you’ll find Glenmaggie Wines on the other side of the town’s lake in Tinamba West. The warm welcome from winemakers Fleur and Tony make you feel like you’re stepping into their home, even more so when you discover they originally had wine tastings in their kitchen. Their award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon is a favourite and with our investment, visitors are able to taste the popular drop in a brand-new cellar door.
Our support will also see the build of a restaurant and function centre along with a shop showcasing the best of Gippsland produce. Planned to open in early 2023, the latest additions will encourage visitors to stay longer and perhaps try out some water activities in the area. Get the paddles out, we’re going kayaking!
Read more about our investment in regional Victoria at Regional Development Victoria.
