Gemtree Vineyards

Gemtree Vineyards embark on their journey to create the first combined Enviro Cellar Door and Wetlands Eco trail within the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu regions.

The Buttery Family together with their team set off on an environmentally sustainable quest in 2005 when they created a partnership with Greening Australia and in April 2011 successfully completed their Wetlands Ecotourism walking trail in the heart of the McLaren Flat Gemtree vineyards.

The Federal Government TQual – Tourism Quality Projects grant of up to $110,000 was awarded to Gemtree on July 26, and will be used for the construction of a cellar door facility adjacent to the Gemtree Wetlands. This facility will aim to be a benchmark combination of environmentally sustainable design and building materials, with self-sufficient use of solar power and recycled water. The new Cellar Door will carry an Australian Tourism Quality Assured mark from the Federal Government.

Third generation and Managing Director of Gemtree Vineyards, Andrew Buttery says, “our team at Gemtree are extremely excited about winning the TQual grant for our Eco Cellar Door. Our brand has craved a spiritual home on the vineyard and the TQual grant has provided us with the platform to take the next step and build a showcase sustainable cellar door that will be a unique tourist destination within the McLaren Vale region. We have every confidence that this grant will enable us to grow our direct sales by linking the sustainable cellar door into our Wetlands Eco Trail on Elliott road, McLaren Flat.”

The team at Gemtree Vineyards has been delighted with the significant increase in consumer following for their biodynamic wines over recent years and believe that this unique Cellar Door and Wetlands experience will position Gemtree with a credible genuine offering to visitors of the region.

“We recognize that there is a gap in the market place to link the food and wine experience to a nature based experience that also incorporates an important educatory aspect,” says Andrew.

Education is a key objective of the project, incorporating, wine, environment, aboriginal heritage, biodynamic farming and building sustainability. Andrew says, “School and community groups will also be able to use the facility, as well as targeting tourists who are looking for a family friendly, peaceful location”.

By appealing to a broad cross section of consumers, the new cellar door experience will enhance Gemtree’s potential to grow sales and build a loyal following of repeat customers around Australia and other international countries within their trading platform.

For more information and/or interview, contact:

Andrew Buttery, Managing Director

Gemtree Vineyards

Tel: 0414 383 002