Rockcliffe Winery in Denmark will be first in WA to produce non-alcohol wine thanks to $225k REDs grant

A Denmark winery will be the first in Western Australia to produce zero and low-alcohol wine thanks to State government funding, marking “one of the most exciting developments” in the operation’s 22 years. Rockcliffe Winery — one of the largest wineries in the state with 155 separate tanks — will use the $225,000 grant to install Spinning Cone Column technology, a piece of machinery that selectively removes ethanol from wine to de-alcoholise it while protecting its flavour. Owner Steve Hall said the idea for Project Innovate came about after his team noticed interest in the once-popular alcoholic beverage flagging. “The wine industry is in a bit of a dilemma, in my personal view, because so many people are not drinking wine any more and it’s also the issue that people don’t have any money any more, so they don’t quite drink that much,” he said. “So we had to think of a way to improve the situation and we thought, ‘oh well, why didn’t we just do the zero alcohol wine?’ “Unfortunately, zero-alcohol wine isn’t exactly cheap to make, so it’s great that we’ve got (the funding). “We are hugely grateful to the State Government for this grant, it has given us a terrific boost financially as well as lifted the spirits of myself and my team. “In the 22 years of operating the winery, this has been one of the most exciting developments.” Consumption of zero and low-alcohol wine is growing annually at an average rate of 25 per cent — well above other wine products in the market, according to a 2021 Wine Australia report. In Australia, Wine Intelligence data shows 46 per cent of regular wine drinkers say they are reducing their alcohol intake with Wine Australia putting that down to global trends towards alcohol moderation and improvements in health and wellbeing, particularly among young people. Dr Hall said while the venture would benefit to his business — increasing staff numbers by a third — he hopes that the project will lift up the entire Great Southern wine industry. “We expect to, not only make superb zero-alcohol wines for our Rockcliffe labels – including Nautica and Single Site and the budget label Peaceful Bay – but also act as a wholesale winemaker for many other winemakers and grape growers in the Great Southern region. “We thought this was a great opportunity for us, and also a great opportunity for the Great Southern because we need to make much more wine, meaning much more work for vineyards, buying more grapes, employing more people. “Theoretically, it should be a bit of a game changer for the region, and a game changer certainly for us. “The message to other wine establishments, in the Great Southern and Margaret River, is we are open for business, and if you would like to add a low or zero alcohol label to your range, then please get in touch soon as we expect to be fully subscribed shortly.” Formerly known as Matilda’s Estate, Dr Hall bought the winery in 2002 after a career in oil and gas geology. The Rockcliffe name was inspired by Dr Hall’s former profession and the 100-metre granite rock cliffs on the edge of the estate with many of his wines named after geological formations. Minister for Regional Development Don Punch said it was great to see innovative projects that brought WA into previously untouched markets. “I know the market’s really starting to warm to non-alcoholic wines, (which) is great to see,” he said. “In addition to adding more sustainable jobs and developing new skills, the introduction of this technology will diversify the wine industry by broadening production benefits, creating direct value and value adding right through the regional supply chain.” Rockcliffe was one of nine Great Southern projects to share in $1.13 million of Regional Economic Development grant funding announced by Mr Punch on October 1.