Meet the producers coping with the new normal – Eat Drink West

Kate Davis from Eat Drink West talks with some the region’s wine makers, brewers and dairy farmers to find out how they have been coping during the pandemic.

Cream off the top

INGLENOOK Dairy co-owner Rachael Peterken is quick to thank locals for the overwhelming support shown to the small business over the last few months, it’s made keeping a positive relatively easy.

“We have had so many people sending us messages of support and we are just grateful we have been able to stay operating during this time,” she said.

However, Ms Peterken can attest to the difficulty experienced by producers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When the crisis hit, we lost 80 per cent of our business overnight,” she said. “We had to re-think our market strategy and focus on our retail end, the part of the business we had been meaning to give attention to but had not had time.

“We also got in touch with other businesses and teamed up with them to promote our products.

“The Ballarat community have really rallied around us, and more and more people are trying and loving our products. I love our loyal following and I love producing a beautiful, award-winning quality product that everyone can be proud of.”

That’s the spirit

Like most small wineries in the region, Tom Guthrie has had to think up different ways to survive amidst COVID-19.

“Small wineries exist on cellar door sales as well as wholesale sales to local cafes and restaurants. With those avenues closed, life is tough and at the beginning of the lockdown, there were grave concerns throughout the community,” he said.

“News from the UK and the US is incredibly disturbing but thankfully there are really positive signs of being on top of it all here in Australia.

“It appears we are exceedingly lucky and I think we are mostly optimistic about life in the months ahead.”

The owner of Grampians Estate Winery and Thermopylae Farm, Mr Guthrie said the greatest way to show support to local wineries is through internet sales, with most wineries offering big discounts and free delivery.

“This is their lifeline, so go for it,” he said.

These same sentiments are shared by Scott Wilson-Browne from Red Duck Beer, with the pandemic striking right in the middle of peak season.

“We are about 80 to 90 per cent down on trade,” he said.

“A lot of premises we supplied have shut, some have transitioned to take away food, but not beer, a few bottle shops are still going but even with those the volume is down.

“We used to do lots of events, which have all closed and our cellar door is shut, so we have been delivering specials and pushing the online space more than usual.”

Mr Wilson-Browne said his team are currently using the down time to catch up on administration and maintenance, so when the new normal returns, they can hit the ground running.

“We are using the extra time to get fitter ourselves, take some time to relax and de-stress, and applying the same philosophy to our business, making sure we stay strong,” he said.

“Keep ordering online, and don’t forget us!”