Ambleside Distillers announces $650k expansion of its Hahndorf-based business
A hugely popular gin distillery at Hahndorf is spending $650k on a big new expansion at its cellar door and kitchen – check out the plans here.
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Ambleside Distillers has announced a major expansion of its gin cellar door in Hahndorf, heralding a much-needed tourism boost for the region post COVID-19.
The $650,000 redevelopment will start in October this year with a completion date set for mid 2021.
Expansion highlights include increasing visitor capacity from 100 to 150 and the creation of a
state-of-the art distillery to take gin production to the next level.
Visitors will also be able to look forward to new tasting experiences and the launch of a new house gin.
Founder and distiller Matt Dickson said the redevelopment would allow Ambleside to take its business venture to the next level.
“The production site will go from currently about 25 sqm – which is shared with the kitchen – to 197 sqm, which will allow us to distil five days a week if needed while also having more room for bottling and packaging,” he said.
“The tasting bar itself will also get a 50 per cent increase, which will be exciting for our visitors.
“At the moment, on Saturdays especially, we’re turning people away as 50 per cent of the venue is outdoors, which isn't great in winter.
“So I think is something that will benefit not just the business but our guests.”
Mr Dickson said the business had grown exponentially since its launch in 2017 with Ambleside gin quickly becoming a household name.
He said sales were predominantly driven by locals but interstate clients were catching up.
“We’re getting more interstate accounts now, so when it comes to packing and shipping orders, the expansion will allow us to do that a bit more freely,” he said.
“We find that trough online sales via BWS and Dan Murphys – New South Wales and Victoria seem to be our biggest market interstate and we want to build on that in the year ahead.
“In term of actual account, we now have 10 account between the two states … and branching out overseas is something that’s also on the horizon for us.”
“So we’re very excited to take this next step and are looking forward to the start of construction.”
Mr Dickson said all efforts would be made to keep the cellar open during construction.