Windows on Westella

Through passion and ambition

It continues to grow

Located just before you drive into Ulverstone, Windows on Westella is a standout example of how family ownership, local leadership and community connection can create a thriving regional business.

Owned by Mike, Gaynor, Darren and Steven Broadby, Windows on Westella is home to the Broad Acres Vineyard operation and manufacture of Tasmania’s iconic Blue Banner Pickled Onions.

A family-owned business with roots dating back to the 1980s, the Broadby family today produces wine, operates a popular café and manufactures locally, all from the same Central Coast location. The owners continue to push new ideas that utilise everything the region has to offer, enhancing the visitor experience while strengthening local production, employment and community connection.

The vineyard

Broad Acres Vineyard was officially established in 2016, taking advantage of the Central Coast’s temperate, coastal climate. The vineyard now grows five grape varieties — Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Riesling — and has already earned recognition, winning medals for its Pinot Noir and selling out of its sparkling rosé. ( Pinot Noir consistently awarded medals over last 6 years, including Gold in 2024 and 2026, and popular Sparkling Rose awarded Silver in 2026)

A café built on community

Complementing the vineyard is Windows on Westella, an onsite café and cellar door that opened in 2017. Open seven days a week, the café offers tastings, cellar door sales and a relaxed dining experience centred on local produce and paddock-to-plate values. Just five minutes from Ulverstone and 15 minutes from Devonport, it has become a daily stop for locals and a destination for visitors exploring the Central Coast.

The café is led by Diane Thomas, a kind-hearted and passionate local who has been with Windows on Westella for over eight years. Growing up on a farm in Gawler, Di has deep roots in agriculture and a strong appreciation for family life, community and the Central Coast lifestyle.

People at the heart of the business

Di says what she loves most about working at Windows on Westella is “the people — the locals, the regular customers and the tourists. Seeing everyone come through the doors happy and enjoying the space is what makes working on the Central Coast so special.”

She also credits the owners for encouraging a positive workplace, describing them as flexible and supportive, and says the business continues to grow, expand and stay consistently busy.

Local jobs, local supply

The café business employs around 66 people overall, with 25 staff in the café and 40 people in the Tasmanian Pickled Onions manufacturing facility, managed by Andrew Wilson. You can read more about their story here)

Visitors can view the pickled onion production process from the café, creating a rare connection between hospitality, agriculture and manufacturing, all in the one place.

Windows on Westella remains deeply committed to local collaboration, sourcing from regional suppliers and supporting the community it operates within. Despite challenges such as rising wages and regulatory compliance, the business continues to demonstrate the strength and resilience of locally-owned enterprise on Tasmania’s Central Coast.