Whether it is locals or people seeking the sea change lifestyle, there is a range of talented people successfully running businesses in the region.
This year’s WA Business News 40under40 first among equals Darren Haunold is the owner and managing director of Wills Domain winery.
One of the three wineries located within walking distance from the site of the proposed Hilton Hotel, construction is already under way on creating a cellar for door sales at Wills Domain.
“It is pretty reassuring to know that a chain like Hilton views our backyard that way, and the amount of traffic will certainly increase in the area once the hotel is completed,” Mr Haunold said.
“We want to change the way that people view cellar-door sales – we want to build something with more of a wine-bar feel.”
Wills Domain has recently acquired a neighboring vineyard, bringing its land to 40.5ha, 10ha of which contain 16-year-old vines.
With its semillon recently included in wine guru, James Halliday’s “Best of the Best” and following a nomination for Viticulturilist of the Year, Mr Haunold said the winery was just trying to get noticed.
“We have a better and more experienced workforce now and we hand-pick all the grapes,” Mr Haunold said.
“I don’t hire seasonal labour. I need to know that people are committed and well trained.
“It is a lot harder to do things by hand but the results are worth it.
“Our aim is to educate the punter on the difference between average wines and exceptional wines.
“The service and training needs to lift in the hospitality industry. To develop the restaurant trade and the hospitality industry, the people are needed to back it up.”
He said Western Australia produced only 3 per cent of Australia’s wine, but represented 20 per cent of the wines on James Halliday’s “Best of the Best” list.
“Western Australia has a long way to develop but is really well recognised throughout the world, particularly the Margaret River region,” he said.
“We use the Margaret River brand for our wines but as the region gains more recognition, inevitably sub-regions will come into play, like France.”