The results are in from BWS’s Local Luvva campaign, which saw customers vote for the local drinks they wanted to see more of in store.
Nearly 300 producers in the beer/cider, wine and spirits sector nominated themselves in the campaign, with almost 50,000 customers casting their votes.
The end result saw 18 winning producers receive ranging in BWS stores in their local state, or ranging in more stores across the country if already ranged within BWS. They will also receive marketing and advertising support from BWS.
There were three winners in each state zone, where ACT and NSW were considered together as was SA and the NT. In Queensland there were no nominations in the wine category, so an additional winner was named in neighbouring NSW.
BWS Local Manager Richard Mok said: “This has been a great opportunity for customers to tell us what they want to see in our stores and on our shelves and to support their local heroes. We are now working with the 18 winners on how to best expand their range within our store network.”
During the Local Luvva campaign, BWS promoted its existing range of local products from independent suppliers in store, online and through an Australia-wide billboard and digital screen campaign. As a result, over the last six months the sales of local, independent products have increased at BWS by 15 per cent.
“This campaign has been all about celebrating our local heroes and trying to encourage more customers to become lovers of local products. Now that we’ve seen more customers than ever try local, we hope they have found new homegrown favourites,” Mok said.
The Victorian Fan Favourite of the spirits category, brewer and distiller Billson’s, said the title was a much needed positive part to the year that the business and the wider industry is having.
Director Nathan Cowan said: “Winning means the world to our little business, team and family.
“2020 has been an incredibly challenging year for everyone. Our business relies heavily on tourism to our area which has been completely decimated. We can however see a few silver linings. There seems to be a real thirst for local products with a unique story and an increased desire to explore regional Victoria when the time is right. Winning this competition means we are more excited and optimistic about the future than ever before.”
Meanwhile, the spirits Fan Favourite in NSW, Lust Liquor, said the win would help their business at a crucial time after launching in 2018.
“Since Lust Liquor’s launch, the number one question we got asked was ‘Are your products available in BWS?’ Being associated with a brand like BWS really helps us create validity behind what we are doing and helps boost brand trust!” said Co-founder Nick Rowell, pictured in header with Co-founder Marc Lindberg.
One of the SA winners was Never Never Distilling Co in McLaren Vale. Co-founder and Brand Director Sean Baxter said the win is very much welcomed by the team after a heartbreaking start to the year.
“We opened our McLaren Vale brand home and distillery door in March and were forced to close after just five weeks, which was pretty heartbreaking for not only the brand but our venue team too,” Baxter said.
“We couldn’t be more excited to take out BWS Local Luvvas! Now, we have the opportunity to share our award-winning, full flavoured gins with more people around Australia.”
See the full list of winners below.
NSW:
- Wine: Nueva Sangria and Audrey Wilkinson
- Beer/Cider: Akasha Brewing Company
- Spirit/Premix: Lust Liquor
VIC:
- Wine: 6 ft 6 Wines
- Beer/Cider: 3 Ravens
- Spirit/Premix: Billson’s
SA:
- Wine:Paracombe Wines
- Beer/Cider: Little Bang Brewing Company
- Spirit/Premix: Never Never Distillery Co
QLD:
- Wine: No entries (additional winner in category chosen in NSW)
- Beer/Cider: Aether Brewing
- Spirit/Premix: Botanic Australis
TAS:
- Wine: Pepik Wines
- Beer/Cider: Plenty Cider
- Spirit/Premix: Hellfire Bluff Distillery
WA:
- Wine: Ferngrove Wines
- Beer/Cider: Wilson Brewing Company
- Spirit/Premix: Illegal Tender Rum Co