Federal Government grant to build cellar door

We have received a $110,000 grant under the Tourism Quality Projects (TQUAL) initiative to support the development of our cellar door. The funding was announced by Minister for Tourism Martin Ferguson at Mount Majura Vineyard.

Four Winds Vineyard was originally planted in 1998 and the fruit was being sold under contract to BRL Hardy. BRL Hardy was keen to establish itself in the region and built its cellar door on the Federal Highway, close to Flemington Park. We were fortunate to be part of their move into the area — they offered ten-year grape contracts along with expertise and support in setting up and managing vineyards, including organised trips to other wine regions. The collegiate atmosphere they encouraged benefited the whole district.

I guess it didn’t work out as they planned as BRL Hardy pulled out of the Canberra District in 2007, selling off their cellar door and winery. This left the region with strong viticultural expertise and a chance for the small vineyards to kick off their own enterprise. We began selling wine at farmers markets and grapes to other wineries, but it became clear that a sustainable business model meant value-adding to our own fruit and selling premium branded wine directly to customers. That’s what led to the plan for a cellar door.

We’ve worked through the plans and secured federal funding — the next steps are council approval and turning the first sod.

Our plans for a cellar door are now one step closer to reality. We expect the project to be completed by mid-2013.