Endeavour Group has announced a partnership with LGBTQ+ owned and operated Ampersand Estate; a winery and distillery in Pemberton.
A selection of Ampersand Estate wines and Rainfall spirits are available in 50 BWS and Dan Murphy’s stores across WA, with the handcrafted products being rolled out to more stores and venues in the coming months.
BWS area manager and Proud at Endeavour member Damien Watts said BWS was increasingly looking to partner with suppliers that also share company values.
“One of our values is that ‘We’re inclusive’, which is why we approached Ampersand. They are focused on building a culture of diversity, acceptance and equality, just like we are,” Watts said.
Ampersand co-founder and co-owner Corrie Scheepers said, “It is a huge milestone for our business and for the wider Pemberton community to have our products on the shelves and bars of Australia’s biggest drinks and hospitality group.”
Ampersand Estate was founded by business partners Corrie Scheepers and Melissa Bell in 2021.
“Pemberton is a small town, so we really stand out as LGBTQ+ owned and operated, so it is a wonderful opportunity for us to make an impact and help create a really inclusive community,” Scheepers said.
Alannah MacTiernan, Minister for Regional Development in WA, met with the founders and the Endeavour Group team in Dan Murphy's Albany over the weekend, and called the range a 'jewel'.
“Ampersand Estates is the jewel adding new fire and brilliance to the WA premium beverage market: creating a truly extraordinary gin and wine that are the latest local heroes embraced by Dan Murphy’s and BWS,” MacTiernan said.
Originally a logging town, the small community has in the last few years been transitioning to other industries as native forest logging in Western Australia will end at the start of 2024, and Ampersand has been providing employment and income to locals.
Ampersand Estate is now working closely with Proud at Endeavour, a 300+ strong network of LGBTQ+ and Ally team members, on a range of events and initiatives in WA.
