Paul White, the Founder and CEO of Tailor Made Spirits has described receiving a State Government grant for $400,000 as a pivotal moment in the company’s history.
Tailor Made Spirits has received a Value Add Investment grant from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), which the company will use to build The Cowaramup Distillery & Tavern as a spiritual home for their flagship West Winds Gin brand.
The Tavern will also showcase many other local drinks brands based 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.
“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,” Paul said.
“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 Cowaramup Distillery and Tavern aims to become 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.
Work will begin within weeks, bringing much needed job opportunities to the region and the site also aims to incorporate renewable energy and recycled rainwater as much as possible, 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.
