The business was granted funding to the tune of $1,525,860 as part of the federal government’s Regional Jobs and Invest Package (RJIP) this week and hopes to start work in winter 2018. 

Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis announced a $220 million spend in her electorate as part of the package, which will see 23 projects share in $20 million. 

Cupitts Winery operations manager Jennifer Lemon said the expansion would provide 20 more jobs and hoped work would start in winter. 

“We have plans to start this June,” she said. 

“The work will involve accommodation on site but it will also allow us to upgrade some of the facilities we already have, including the kitchen.

“Building another function centre is also part of it so we can host weddings and be open to the public at the same time.”

Ms Lemon said improving transport to the winery was another option being looked at.

“Transport is another need we have identified and we would like to look into getting a transport bus, or some sort of courtesy bus happening here,” she said. 

Mr Cupitt said weekends were busy with both tourists and locals. 

“We get a lot of different pieces of the market because we have a brewery, winery and fromagerie and the different styles of food,” he said. 

“If we had the accommodation and the upgraded facilities for weddings, we could do the weddings at the same time as our normal service.

“When you bring weddings to the area, you are attracting guests who have to stay in the area and who pump a lot of money into the local economy.”

The luxury accommodation suits will be located on the right hand side of the entry road, and will be staggered down to the hill to have unobstructed views. The function centre location has not been decided on yet.

The business will also contribute funds to the expansion, which is part of the grant conditions. 

Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government John McVeigh joined Mrs Sudmalis on the coast on Wednesday to announce the grants, which are designed to stimulate job creation and investment in regional Australia. 

“This is exciting at all levels and it means job, more local jobs,” she said.

“I cannot be more delighted. For Shoalhaven businesses to receive $13.8 million is fantastic.

“These projects will provide hundreds of new jobs and a stronger economy across the region for years to come.”

Mr McVeigh said: “A range of high-quality, potential initiatives were identified through an extensive assessment process paired with community input – resulting in locally driven decisions, delivering 23 job creating projects along the South Coast. 

“The Coalition delivered 42,000 new jobs in regional NSW last year. We understand the benefits that flow from greater employment opportunities and that’s why it is very pleasing to see that this announcement will help generate more than 350 jobs during construction and nearly 640 ongoing jobs.”