Ampersand Estates in Western Australia has just been inducted into Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia (UWEA), joining a hand-selected group of only 30 of the country’s most premium winery destinations, including House of Arras, Penfolds and Ten Minutes by Tractor.
UWEA is a hand-selected collection of only 30 premium award-winning wineries offering experiences that invite visitors to go ‘beyond the cellar door’ and elevate them through global distribution opportunities.
The recognition comes off the back of the estate’s 2022 Pinot Noir being crowned WA’s Favourite Wine at the inaugural Top-Up Wine Awards, and an exciting new distribution deal with Young & Rashleigh to bring their portfolio to NSW and ACT consumers.
The Pemberton region escape is the only LGBTQIA+ owned and operated winery experience in the prestigious portfolio.
A three-hour drive south from Perth, the 56-hectare Ampersand Estates is located 30 minutes north of Pemberton and 45 minutes east of the famed Margaret River Region – offering two experiences as part of the collection.
Ampersand Estates’ hero experience – A Marriage of Luxury & Nature (from $3145 for up to four guests) – combines an overnight stay and gourmet breakfast in one of three luxury residences with exclusive private wine tastings and an intimate four-course degustation cooked over the open fire by the Estate’s Michelin-trained chef, served under the stars in the
vineyard, fireside, or in the accommodation.
The Terroir Tasting Experience ($180pp) is ideal for day visitors, inviting them into the Rainfall Distillery Gardens for an immersive foraging journey that offers a powerful expression of terroir where sustainability, innovation and storytelling converge.
Opening next month, Rainfall Distillery Gardens will host this experience from late 2026, highlighting artisanal gin and vodka using estate-grown chardonnay as the base spirit. It will be Australia’s first single-estate, closed-loop spirits program where every ingredient originates onsite, supported by beehives, rainwater harvesting and on-estate farming.
Ampersand Estates Co-Owner Corrie Scheepers said: “Being recognised through this program as one of Australia’s premier wine tourism destinations unlocks significant global potential – it could not be achieved otherwise.
“We are still young in our tourism and wine journey, and will introduce the ultimate winery experiences of Ampersand Estates to key distribution partners through upcoming market visits across Australia, the United States, Europe, China and Singapore.
“The Ampersand Estates story is a marriage of luxury and nature, where everything is better with an ‘and’. Our experiences are curated on this philosophy that brings the tastes of the region together through a unique connection to place and each other.
“And we strongly believe a Margaret River itinerary is enhanced with an Ampersand Estates add-on or as the idyllic basecamp for exploration, providing travellers with a reinvigorated way to experience one of Australia’s most iconic regions.”
UWEA Executive Officer Sarah Myers said: “Ampersand Estates has a deep and genuine connection to Western Australia’s Pemberton Wine Region and brings a distinctive and elevated voice to Australia’s premium wine tourism story.”
LGBTQIA+ winery expands into NSW ahead of Mardi Gras
Ampersand Estates, has signed with Young & Rashleigh for distribution across NSW and the ACT.
As the brand expands to the east coast, Ampersand Estates will focus on independent retailers and on-premise venues that champion inclusivity and community.
“Bringing Ampersand Estates to the East Coast has always been part of our vision, but finding the right partner was essential,” said Scheepers.
“Young & Rashleigh understand our commitment to both exceptional quality and our mission of inclusivity. We aren’t just looking for shelf space; we’re looking to build a community in NSW and the ACT that mirrors the vibrant, diverse spirit
of our home in the Pemberton wine region and the work we’ve done to develop our strong connections in WA.”