Former AFL players Will Schofield and Chris Masten alongside hotel operators and wine distributors are seeking to establish an ‘urban winery’ and restaurant in the heart of Fremantle.
Former AFL players Will Schofield and Chris Masten alongside hotel operators and wine distributors are seeking to establish an ‘urban winery’ and restaurant in the heart of Fremantle.
Business News can reveal publicans and business partners Phil Thompson and Ross Macpherson alongside premiership teammates Mr Schofield and Mr Masten and footballer turned wine-focused entrepreneur Scott Spalding are progressing plans to establish a new hospitality and wine production venture at 181 High Street.
To be tentatively named H&C Urban Winery (abbreviated from Heroes and Comrades Urban Winery) the directors behind the venture have lodged an application to change the tenancy licenses and undertake refurbishment works with the City of Fremantle, set to be discussed at the planning committee meeting on Wednesday.
The two-storey warehouse property was formerly tenanted by the Raw Kitchen, rebranded to Mother, and the Good Sammys op shop before the two parties opted to not renew their leases earlier this year.
Mayfly Property Group, owned by Mr Thompson and Mr Macpherson, bought the High Street asset after it was advertised for sale in May.
The proposed micro-winery and hospitality project is being spearheaded by Mr Thompson and informed by the remaining directors.
H&C Urban Winery directors and ex-Eagles players Mr Schofield and Mr Masten co-founded online wine platform Heroes and Comrades, linked to the tentative name, during the pandemic.
Mr Masten also runs gin company Beyond Distilling with retired Eagles star Josh Kennedy.
Ex-footballer turned wine entrepreneur Mr Spalding played for Carlton and then Port Adelaide in the South Australian National Football League before returning to Perth to play for East Fremantle in the West Australian Football League.
He now runs Fremantle-based wine distribution companies Off The Vine and Vino Vans with his wife Brooke Spalding.
Business partners, publicans and property group owners Mr Thompson and Mr Macpherson operate The Local Hotel in South Fremantle alongside The River and the Margaret River Resort in the South West.
The Fremantle venture has also attracted the interest of other shareholders, namely Jodie Regan, the head of Spinning Top Records which represents Fremantle music prodigy Tame Impala, according to the development application.
Proposed plans
The directors are proposing to establish a small-scale wine production operation and hospitality venue at 181 High Street in the heart of Fremantle.
The two-storey property was previously divided into two tenancies on the ground floor and is leased to Yogalab Studio on the top floor, which would remain in place under the proposed development.
The parties propose to use the existing kitchen, service facilities, bar and dining space within a new layout that would include additional seating, extra toilets, cellar door, micro production and cool room space.
According to the development application, the team would plan to undertake minor aesthetic renovations to the internal building and existing bathrooms.
They also propose to remove a section of the dividing wall that used to separate the restaurant and op shop.
The applicants are also seeking to obtain a Tavern License under the Liquor Control Act to allow for the cellar door, wine without food and micro-winery production at the site.
“Heroes and Comrades Urban Winery will source grapes from various wine regions across Western Australia, allowing us to create a range of high quality wines that showcase the unique qualities of each region,” according to the development application.
“Our wine range will include collaborations with some of Australia’s most innovative and respected winemakers, the majority of which will be produced offsite.
“The urban winery will include cellar doors and online sales alongside a wholesale distribution operation for ‘on-premise’ venues to further promote Fremantle to Australia.”
According to the proposal, majority of the wine production would be carried out off-site in the Swan Valley and South West, with the remaining on-site production activities primarily for “theatrical purposes”.
Once the wine has finished fermenting, it would be transferred to Fremantle where it would be pumped into oak barrels for maturation.
The parties have proposed to operate the restaurant, bar and cellar from 11am to 12am on Friday and Saturday while operating between the hours of 11am and 10.30pm on the remaining days of the week.
According to the proposal, Green Start Consultancy and Burgio Construction have been commissioned to draft, plan and construct the project, of which a value has not yet been disclosed.
The City of Fremantle’s officer has recommended approval for changing the shop and restaurant licenses to a Tavern License and the alterations to the building, ahead of Wednesday's meeting.
