A STATE Government grant is set to boost Coonawarra’s online presence in further efforts to enhance tourism to the region post-COVID-19.
Delivered through the South Australian Wine Industry Development Scheme, the grant will fund the development of an online store to the Coonawarra Vigneron’s website to encourage sales of wines and produce and showcase events and experiences.
Coonawarra Vignerons president Peter Balnaves said as well as enhancing the electronic platform, the development would provide the organisation with targeted data from online users.
“When people book online we will be better able to target which market they are from such as age, state and also be able to target other information going into where those people are,” Mr Balnaves said.
“It will also enhance winery- related experiences when there is a collaborative event by more than one winery which will be on the vigneron’s platform.
“We will be able to see what is working and what is not.”
“Usually the ticketing is through a third party and the information does not end up on the vignerons domain.
“This change will be a large benefit to all members of the association across the board and not just individual wineries.”
Member for MacKillop Nick McBride said the grant will help wineries to collaborate to promote the region, encouraging people to visit and explore the Limestone Coast.
“Now that travel and dining restrictions are lifting in South Australia, it’s a fantastic opportunity for people to travel within our state to explore the world-class wine regions on our doorstep such as the Coonawarra,” Mr McBride said.
“This grant will help provide a new sales outlet for the region and expand customer reach and strengthen local collaboration during what has been an incredibly difficult year for the local community so far.”
Coonawarra Vignerons executive officer Olivia Nunn said the South Australian Wine Industry Development Scheme grant will help the region attract more visitors.
“Adding to the website’s functionality is something that we have been continuously improving and the timing could not be more perfect for the region and for us to make it easier for our visitors to access us,” she said.
“This will make it quicker and easier for visitors to purchase the experiences the Limestone Coast has to offer.”
Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Tim Whetstone said the project had the potential to broaden the reach for the region’s vignerons.
“Coonawarra Grape and Wine’s project is not only innovative but will support economic diversity as well as local collaboration, which will help the sector adapt and grow through these challenging times,” he said.
