The Grove Distillery, Restaurant & Accommodation
Platform: Shopify
Copywriting: Client supplied
Photography: With Baxter
The Grove is a distillery and hospitality destination in Wilyabrup, offering award-winning spirits alongside on-site accommodation and a newly renovated restaurant. The business needed to update its website to support reopening and better showcase its distinct offerings — distillery tastings, accommodation, dining and online retail — within a single, coherent experience.
While the original brief focused on navigation updates and content improvements, a deeper technical review revealed the existing Shopify site was built on an outdated theme framework that could not be safely updated without breaking core functionality. The opportunity became not just to update the site, but to rebuild it on a modern, supported foundation that would be reliable, flexible and easy for the team to manage long-term.
Our Approach
We recommended a full rebuild using a modern, premium Shopify theme rather than attempting to retrofit outdated custom code. This approach allowed us to retain all existing content and brand direction while eliminating technical debt and reducing the risk of future issues with Shopify updates.
From a structural perspective, we focused on clarity. The site was reorganised to clearly separate and elevate the three key areas of the business — Sip, Stay and Dine — supported by simple, intuitive navigation. Accommodation was restructured to reflect how guests actually choose to book, grouping similar chalets together while giving distinct offerings their own space to shine.
Design decisions prioritised restraint and longevity. Rather than over-designing, we allowed imagery, space and hierarchy to do the work, ensuring the site felt calm, premium and appropriate for a destination-based business. SEO considerations were addressed through clean page structures, logical URLs, and clear internal linking between related offerings.
How We Delivered It
We began with a technical audit and content review, identifying what could be reused and where the existing setup posed risks. From there, we rebuilt the site on a modern Shopify theme, carefully migrating content and reconfiguring templates to suit The Grove’s needs.
Key pages were rebuilt for accommodation, the distillery cellar door, and the restaurant, each with tailored structure and messaging. Booking widgets were configured for individual accommodation types to streamline the user journey, and navigation was refined to reduce friction for both first-time visitors and returning customers.
Throughout the build, we worked iteratively — reviewing layouts, refining copy placement, and ensuring the site remained easy for the client to update internally. Post-launch support included final checks, minor refinements, and handover guidance so the team could confidently manage the site moving forward.
Looking for a more considered approach to your website?
If you value clear thinking, thoughtful design, and a site that reflects the professionalism of your business, you should get in touch.
