Bickford’s Vale Brewing Taphouse, Beresford Luxury Pavilions ready by May next year

SA beverages giant Bickford’s will bring another ‘tourism destination’ to market in May with work beginning on its $9.5m taphouse and accommodation project.

Artist’s impression of Beresford Estate’s luxury pavilions at McLaren Vale. Picture: Supplied

SA family-owned business Bickford’s is gearing up to capitalise on the boom in inter-intra state travellers by growing its tourism offering in the premium wine region of McLaren Vale.

Work on its $9.5m Vale Brewing Tap House and Beresford Luxury Pavilions project started this month with the appointment of local construction firm Mossop.

The Kotses family’s Bickford’s Group received $2m from the state’s Regional Growth Fund for the Beresford Estate project.

Artist’s impression of Beresford Estate development at McLaren Vale. Picture: Supplied

Alexander Brown Architects and Studio Gram Interior Design Practice have helped designed the new Vale Brewing Taphouse, which will also include a micro-brewing facility, visitor centre and commercial restaurant.

Fifteen Beresford Luxury Pavilions will also be introduced to the Estate.

“This is about creating a new inbound tourist attraction that offers an all-year round experience and employment opportunity,” said Bickford’s marketing head Chris Illman.

“The taphouse facility combines a culinary tourism experience with beverage production, becoming become home to the internationally recognised existing Vale Brewing facility.

“The beer produced on site will form part of the alcoholic beverage range distributed by the

Bickford’s Group.”

Bickford’s Group marketing head Chris Illman. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Illman said Bickford’s second tourism destination offering would follow the success of its

Riverland-based 23rd Street Distillery launched in 2016.

That $6.6m development rejuvenated the former Renmano wine distillery, supported by a $2.3m grant from the state government.

Work on its third tourism drawcard – a new microbrewery, distillery and visitor centre for Kangaroo Island at Kingscote’s old police station and cells site – is likely to begin next year, Mr Illman said.

Artist’s impression of Beresford Estate’s luxury pavilion at McLaren Vale. Picture: Supplied

“Over the past six years, the Bickford’s Group have delivered a significant number of major tourism projects like the acclaimed 23rd Street Distillery in Renmark and Beresford Tasting Pavilion in McLaren Vale which promote South Australian manufactured premium beverage products locally and abroad.

“We have seen the impact of 23rd Distillery on the regions and the drawcard it has been through Covid.

“This is about building big on our plans to bring in more interstate and intrastate tourists to SA, the home of our brands.”

Inside the proposed Beresford Estate accommodation at McLaren Vale. Picture: Supplied.

Led by managing director Angelo Kotses, the Salisbury-based Bickford’s Group includes non-alcoholic brands business Bickford’s Australia, alcoholic range offering VOK, tourism estates, a Pomegranates Australia farm in the Northern Mallee and the Beenleigh Distillery in Queensland.

One of Australia’s oldest businesses, Bickford’s has been in the same family since chemist William Bickford established his apothecary in Adelaide in February 1839.

Originally published as Bickford’s Vale Brewing Taphouse, Beresford Luxury Pavilions ready by May next year