Bird in Hand winery announces $30m plans as Adelaide Hills tourism booms

Bird in Hand winery is planning a $30 million upgrade of its Woodside property, following a huge increase in wine tourism projects on Adelaide’s doorstep.

An artist's impression of Bird in Hand's planned $30 million development at Woodside. Picture: Supplied

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Bird in Hand winery has announced plans for a $30 million upgrade of its Woodside property, amid a surge in cellar door developments across the Adelaide Hills.

The development includes a new 40-seat “wine and culinary experience”, art gallery, extra cellar door space, underground cellars, tasting rooms and landscaping work.

The company says the upgrade will create as many as 50 long-term jobs for the local community, mostly in hospitality roles including work for chefs, waiting staff and cellar and bar staff.

Bird in Hand estimates it would draw up to 400 extra visitors to the region every day, and would also provide work for about 60 people during construction.

Plans have been lodged with Adelaide Hills Council and are out for public consultation until Friday.

Company founder Andrew Nugent said the project would help secure the region and state’s place on the global wine tourism map.

“That means not only increasing our ability to cater for growing demand but also shining light on the outstanding winemakers, food producers, artists and designers that we nurture here,” Mr Nugent said.

“The Adelaide Hills is a major part of South Australia’s $7 billion visitor economy, and we share the State Government’s vision to grow.

Bird in Hand winemaker and founder Andrew Nugent at the Woodside vineyards.

“Our family, together with the remarkably talented and dedicated team at Bird in Hand feel very fortunate to be able to promote the elite artisan wines and produce of South Australia with the world from our Adelaide Hills home.”

Company manager Jared Stringer said the Adelaide Hills had just 10 cellar doors in 2000, but that had grown to 50.

A growing number of brands based outside the region were now sourcing fruit from Hills vineyards.

“The Adelaide Hills is … the closest wine region to any Australian capital city, which means we have over 1.2 million people on our doorstep,” Mr Stringer said.

“So it is little wonder that the annual value of Adelaide Hills tourism has grown from $117 million to $172 million over the past five years.

“We expect this to grow continually when people realise the amazing destination they have access to right at their doorstep.

“Having said that, this development will not only welcome visitors from Adelaide and South Australia, it will be a world class destination for lovers of fine wine, food, art and culture.”

Bird in Hand’s masterplan was completed by a range of South Australian architects, designers and gallerists, and the business will use Adelaide Hills-based builders for the work.

Once plans are approved, the project will begin immediately, with work taking about three years.

The company is also celebrating being awarded the International Red Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge in London, on July 9.

The challenge organisers say it is “accepted as the world’s finest and most meticulously judged wine competition”.

The company’s development plans can be viewed at Adelaide Hills Council’s Gumeracha civic centre and Stirling and Woodside service centres.

Meantime, as previously reported by The Advertiser, Bird in Hand has been vocal about its concerns over the potential environmental impacts of Terramin’s plans to reopen the region’s former gold mine.

Terramin lodged its mining lease application for the Woodside project last month.

The public can make submissions on the application until September 20.

Bird in Hand was founded in 1997 on a dilapidated dairy farm and now produces close to 90,000 cases a year.

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Originally published as Bird in Hand winery announces $30m plans as Adelaide Hills tourism booms