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Wineries give back to locals

Warren HatelyAugusta Margaret River Times
Sarah Flynn from Victory Point Wines.
Camera IconSarah Flynn from Victory Point Wines. Credit: Warren Hately

The Margaret River Wine Association has embarked on a month of special discounts, deals and offers for resident wine-lovers as a way to continue supporting the local sector through the disruption of COVID-19.

MRWA chief executive Amanda Whiteland said the Margaret River region had just completed one of the most challenging vintages in many years, thanks to a perfect storm of labour and housing shortages “adding to the challenges from Mother Nature and China export tariffs”.

MRWA’s cellar door manager sub-committee devised the local promotion this year.

“The group acknowledged how grateful they were for the support of locals now more than ever, whilst the region has limited interstate and no international visitors,” Ms Whiteland said. “The group also discussed their concerns and uncertainty for the upcoming winter months.”

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Victory Point Wines cellar door manager Sarah Flynn said newer, more isolated wineries like hers would struggle to maintain visitor numbers during the colder, wetter months, and the We Support Locals campaign would be a much-needed shot in the arm.

Ms Flynn helped drive the campaign by vignerons including Arlewood Estate, Cape Grace Wines, Blind Corner, Howard Park, Redgate Wines, Xanadu and Domain Naturaliste, among others.

“The campaign aims to ignite interest in the community about cellar doors it hasn’t visited before – the one you see the sign for every day as you drive down the highway for work, but have never gone into, or the one your friend recommended, but you haven’t found the time yet,” she said.

“Many small producers in the area would love to chance to meet more locals and tell their stories.

“Our vineyard is family-owned and -operated, and we are pleased to support this campaign as a way of thanking the community who, during a hard year for local business, have shopped local and helped us all.”

Based off Holben Road in Cowaramup, Victory Point is offering a 10 per cent discount on all stock for the next month. Other wineries are providing a mix of offerings. For details, visit margaretriver.wine/supportlocal.

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