Swan Valley. celebrating 180 years of winemaking

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1 This is a very significant milestone proving the longevity of the industry and popularity of the destination. Swan Valley celebrating 180 years of winemaking In 2014, the Swan Valley will celebrate its 180 year anniversary of winemaking. This is a very significant milestone, proving the longevity of the industry and popularity of the destination. The first commercial vintage was released in 1834 by Thomas Waters of Olive Farm and makes the region the oldest in Western Australia and second oldest, behind the Hunter Valley, in Australia. The region has a strong Croatian and southern Italian heritage and the warm climate produces exceptional wine including chenin blanc, verdelho, shiraz and fortifieds. The region is characterised by many third and fourth generation, family owned wineries, each with its own interesting story. Here we present some of these fascinating stories that build the valley s unique character.

Olive farm Winery is Western Australia s oldest winery... The Yurisich family took ownership of Olive Farm Wines in 1933.

2 Olive farm Winery is Western Australia s oldest winery... The Yurisich family took ownership of Olive Farm Wines in Ivan bought the property and tried his luck at winemaking, using skills he had learnt in Yugoslavia by watching the locals. Olive Farm Wineries Olive farm Winery is Western Australia s oldest winery and was established in 1829 by English botanist, Thomas Waters. He bought with him a number of plants, including grapevine cuttings and olive trees from his native England and upon arrival in Australia was granted a large portion of land in South Guildford. Mr Waters cleared the land and began to plant both grape cuttings and olive trees, the latter the inspiration for the name Olive Farm. Ivan s son, Vince took over the business in the early 1960s and introduced a range of new winemaking techniques producing bulk fortified wines initially before introducing bottled table wines in the mid 1970s. Vince s son, Ian was the first of the three generations to have any formal education in winemaking. Ian attended Roseworthy Agricultural College, in South Australia, where he completed his formal winemaking education and took over the reins from Vince in Ian transformed the business, developing the winery along with a café and function centre. He also purchased a block in the Swan Valley, where he and Vince developed close to 40 acres of vines marked a significant point in the Yurisich history, with the opening of their brand new, multi award winning winery, designed by family member Michael. The purpose built winery and subsequent cheese café, The Cheese Barrel are the family s pride and joy, with thanks to generations of back breaking work. In 2013 the Yurisich family celebrated 80 years of ownership of Olive Farm Wines. Anthony is the fourth generation winemaker and proudly produces over 25 wines sourced entirely from Swan Valley fruit with the vast majority sold at their wonderful premises in Millendon. Anthony Yunsich

Houghton Wines is named after one of its first owners, Lieutenant Colonel Richmond Houghton. Houghton Wines Houghton Wines is named after one of its first owners, Lieutenant Colonel Richmond Houghton.

3 Houghton Wines is named after one of its first owners, Lieutenant Colonel Richmond Houghton. Houghton Wines Houghton Wines is named after one of its first owners, Lieutenant Colonel Richmond Houghton. He was part of a syndicate of three British Army Officers who purchased the land in In 1859, Dr John Ferguson purchased Houghton for 350 pounds and set about producing the first commercial wine vintage a modest 25 gallons. In 1880, Houghton received its first wine award, the Order of Merit at the Great Melbourne Exhibition. This was the first of many triumphs that have paved the way for Houghton to become Western Australia s most awarded winery. In 1922, 16 year old Jack Mann, under the guidance of his father, George, began his winemaking apprenticeship at Houghton. Jack was to become the driving force of Houghton for 51 consecutive vintages. He brought passion, creative genius and an influence that extended far beyond Houghton, to the whole Western Australian and Australian wine industry. Jack s best known creation was Houghton White Burgundy, now Houghton White Classic, first crafted with incredible foresight in 1937 and an Australian favourite to this day. Under the guidance and custodianship of further exceptional winemakers, Houghton has continued to flourish and now enjoys an enviable footprint, with grapes secured from every premium winegrowing region of Western Australia. Jack Mann

4 ... a truly world class wine tourism, education and hospitality experience... Sandalford Wines The establishment of Sandalford Wines in 1840 coincided with both the first European settlement at the Colony of Perth and the birth of Western Australia s world famous wine industry. Located on the banks of the Swan River the site has undergone a multi-million dollar redevelopment of both the winery and the vineyard, positioning it at the forefront of wine tourism in Australia. In 2014, Sandalford is extremely proud to be one of the country s oldest and largest family owned wineries. With a vision to provide local, interstate and overseas tourists to Perth with a must visit destination and a truly world class wine tourism, education and hospitality experience, Sandalford plays a key role in the future of Australia s wine and wine tourism industries.

5 In 1995 John Kosovich was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his contribution to the wine industry... John Kosovich Wines John Kosovich Wines was established in 1922 and operated as Westfield Wines until 2003 when the decision was made to change the name to honour John Kosovich s 50th vintage. John Kosovich s father, Lilo, immigrated to Western Australia in the early 1900s from the Dalmatian Coast. He purchased the Swan Valley property in 1922 and began planting the vineyard. The vineyard produced table grapes and wine grapes that were used to make fortified wine styles, popular at the time. The cellar was built between 1922 and The broad axe that was used by Lilo to hand cut the timbers for the cellar beams is proudly displayed in the underground cellar to this day. In the mid 1950s, John, aged only 17 years, took over the winemaking operations from his father. John learnt to make wine from his father, but also had some wonderful advice and assistance from some of the other winemaking families in the Swan Valley, including the legendary Jack Mann from Houghton Winery. John changed the winemaking style to incorporate more of the dry styles of red and white table wines that were starting to become popular. In the 1960s, varieties such as riesling, chenin blanc, and verdelho became available and much of the vineyard was planted over to these. In 1995, John was awarded an Order of Australia medal for his contribution to the wine industry, and in 2004 he won the prestigious Jack Mann medal for his contribution to the Western Australian wine industry. John s son, Arch, began his wine making life early; he was driving the tractor in the vineyard by the time he was four years old. He learnt his craft from his father and took over from John as the fulltime winemaker in Arch has developed his own distinctive winemaking style but has also continued to make the elegant, refined and lightly oaked styles that the Kosovich Winery is synonymous with. Arch Kosovich

Pinelli Estate Wines Pinelli Estate Wines is a second generation boutique winery, founded by Domenic and Iolanda Pinelli who immigrated to Australia from Italy in the mid 1950s.

6 Pinelli Estate Wines Pinelli Estate Wines is a second generation boutique winery, founded by Domenic and Iolanda Pinelli who immigrated to Australia from Italy in the mid 1950s. They shared a vision to create a winery incorporating their Italian heritage, which recognised that good wine needed to be a part of every dining experience. For over 20 years, Domenic Pinelli gained invaluable experience and knowledge working for the iconic Swan Valley producer, Waldeck Wines. For over 20 years, Domenic gained invaluable experience and knowledge working for the iconic Swan Valley producer, Waldeck Wines. Domenic gives great thanks to Mick Waldeck, in particular, for helping his family become established in their adopted country. Domenic purchased from his employer what he considers to be the pick of the vineyards of the area - a seven acre block in Caversham, and earmarked it as the site of the Pinelli family winery, cellar door and vineyard. With much patience and hard work, Pinelli Estate Wines was established in 1980 and initially concentrated on selling bulk wines. Their goal was to establish a winery to deliver premium and deliciously flavoured wines that express the varietal character of the Swan Valley. A new 13 acre vineyard on the banks of the Swan River in Middle Swan has since been added to meet the increased demand for their wines. From its early beginnings, Domenic and Iolanda shared the knowledge and joy of winemaking and grape growing with their family, ensuring that the winery would continue to grow with future generations. Today, sons Robert and Daniel are university qualified winemakers and ensure that the family s focus and commitment to its customers and pursuit of quality continues. Recognition has followed with many wine show awards and trophies. A cafe restaurant has been added to the visitor offering and now makes Pinelli Estate Wines the complete wine and food destination for Perth residents and interstate and international guests.

7 Garbin Estate Wines Duje Garbin learnt his winemaking in between fishing on a small island in the Adriatic Sea, just off the Dalmatian coast. It was basic stuff, but ideally suited to the family needs. As a migrant to Western Australia in 1937, he was soon to continue his craft, after a stint working on his brother s Spearwood market garden. Money saved, he purchased a property at Millendon in the Swan Valley, and then moved to Middle Swan in As a tribute to his father s early endeavours, Duje Garbin is currently featured on Garbin Estate Wines premium wine label range. The Garbin business was built up on bulk wine, some gallons a year, delivered around the suburbs or purchased by customers visiting the property. It was traditional winemaking and marketing for the times, catering mainly for a keen southern European demand, like other small Swan Valley producers. When Duje retired, Garbin Estate Wines was taken over by his son, Peter. Peter promptly set about making his mark on the family business which has now changed irrevocably. Over the past 25 years the winery has undergone a massive transition including a new cellar door and processing area, upgrades to the major plant and equipment and established a premium vineyard in Gingin, 90 minutes from the Perth CBD. As a tribute to his father s early endeavours, Duje Garbin is currently featured on Garbin Estate Wines premium wine label range.

In Margaret River, Dorham provided advice to Sandalford Wines about vineyard site selection, resulting in the purchase and planting of a 140 hectare vineyard.

8 first wines from the Forest Hill experimental vineyard, established in Mount Barker. Their immediate and significant show success identified the region s great potential: the 1975 Rhine Riesling from Forest Hill won 12 gold medals and nine trophies. In Margaret River, Dorham provided advice to Sandalford Wines about vineyard site selection, resulting in the purchase and planting of a 140 hectare vineyard. Dorham then joined Sandalford as winemaker in He continued at Sandalford until 1987, and during this time amassed a formidable show record for the winery, making multi-award-winning wines from Mount Barker, Margaret River and of course the Swan Valley. Dorham Mann Dorham Mann was born into a family that could already claim considerable history in the Australian wine industry. His father Jack was the winemaker at Houghton Winery, having taken over from his grandfather George. His grandmother, Griselda Sobels, was the granddaughter of Carl Sobels, who was known as the father of the Barossa wine industry. Dorham grew up in the Swan Valley on the Houghton vineyard. After high school, he gained a cadetship with the Agriculture Department and completed an Agricultural Science Degree at the University of Western Australia. This qualification was followed by a Diploma in Oenology from Roseworthy College in 1963, and resulted in his subsequent appointment as an extension oenologist to assist small winemakers in the Swan Valley. Dorham spent the next decade, mainly in the Swan Valley, helping small winemakers to change their operations in order to improve their winemaking. At the same time, the development of new Western Australian wine growing regions was just beginning, and Dorham was very involved in the process. He made the From his home vineyard in Baskerville, Dorham began to produce a small quantity of a méthode champenoise reserved for family and friends. After he left Sandalford he decided to expand the hobby and produce it commercially. The first commercial vintage of this wine was made in 1988 and released in 1990 under the Mann label. From his small family winery, Dorham continues to produce his méthode champenoise from cabernet sauvignon and also from cygne blanc, a new, unique white cabernet variety discovered by his wife Sally in 1989, which may have since been granted plant breeder s rights. During his career, Dorham served as a Royal Australian Show Judge for 30 years, has been President of the Wine and Brandy Producers Association of WA, WA Technical Representative for the Federal Wine and Brandy Producers Council, Foundation President of the Swan Valley and Regional Winemakers Association, and President of the Swan Valley Vintners Club. Dorham was awarded an Order of Australia medal for service to the wine industry in 1994, and was named as one of the inaugural Swan Valley Icons by the Swan Valley Regional Winemakers Association in In 2012, he was awarded the Jack Mann Memorial Medal an award named in honour of his father and presented to an individual who has made a significant/major contribution to the Western Australian wine industry. Dorham Mann

Corin Lamont Lucky enough to be born into a Swan Valley winemaking family, where father Jack Mann was Houghton s winemaker, great wine (Jack s) and delicious food (mother Angela s) was a daily

When Jack retired from Houghton Winery in 1972 he encouraged Corin and her husband Neil to remove the currant vines and stone fruit orchard and plant wine grapes with the view of making wine in a

9 Corin Lamont Lucky enough to be born into a Swan Valley winemaking family, where father Jack Mann was Houghton s winemaker, great wine (Jack s) and delicious food (mother Angela s) was a daily occurrence for Corin from an early age. Great wine (Jack s) and delicious food (mother Angela s) was a daily occurrence from an early age. When Jack retired from Houghton Winery in 1972 he encouraged Corin and her husband Neil to remove the currant vines and stone fruit orchard and plant wine grapes with the view of making wine in a traditional method for their family s consumption. In 1978 Lamont s produced its first cabernet sauvignon and the following year the first white burgundy. In 1979 they were very excited to win a bronze award for the cabernet rose at the Perth Royal Show. The wines Corin and Neil made were popular with friends who were keen to purchase the product. This was then the incentive to increase production and consequently lead Lamont s, with the dedicated support of a great winemaking team, to become the modern, fully serviced winery it is today. In 2002 Lamonts was awarded the Swan Valley Tourism Council s Whiteman Award and 10 years later Corin was named an Icon of the Valley by the Swan Valley & Regional Winemakers Association. Corin Lamont

Derek Pearce Derek s grandfather was a pioneering wheat and sheep farmer at Wubin, 250km north of the Swan Valley. The family have continued to farm the land for over 80 years.

Little did he know that it would become his destiny. In 1997 he discovered an established chardonnay vineyard and seized the opportunity to purchase the picturesque property that is now Upper Reach.

10 Derek Pearce Derek s grandfather was a pioneering wheat and sheep farmer at Wubin, 250km north of the Swan Valley. The family have continued to farm the land for over 80 years. Travelling regularly through the Swan Valley to Perth, Derek s imagination was captured by the vineyards and fertile soil he saw on the banks of the Swan. Little did he know that it would become his destiny. In 1997 he discovered an established chardonnay vineyard and seized the opportunity to purchase the picturesque property that is now Upper Reach. Derek s imagination was captured by the vineyards and fertile soil he saw on the banks of the Swan. Armed only with the experiences from his time working in a UK wine merchant store, he took a leap of faith. With the generous help from local winemakers and much like the pioneering families before him, through hard work, diligence and attention to detail he taught himself to grow grapes and how to make wine. Fortunately the gamble paid off with Derek s wines going from strength to strength. His reserve shiraz has repeatedly won gold and silver medals at the Perth Royal Wine Show and his reserve chardonnay has been awarded and critiqued amongst the best from Western Australia - no mean feat for warm climate fruit. Once the vineyard was sorted and the winery up and running, he turned his attention to the cellar door; it was completely re-built in 2011 with sweeping views over the vineyard and a deck on which to enjoy a glass of wine. It has been chosen as Gourmet Traveller s Star Cellar Door in the Swan Valley. Derek and his wife Laura have realised many of their dreams and goals in establishing Upper Reach. They hope to expand production into the future, while remaining a cellar door business, retaining the integrity of their hand grown and handmade wines. Derek Pearce

Charlie started Valley Wines with his late Italian migrant parents in the early 1970s.

completing formal qualifications in Horticulture.

11 Charlie started Valley Wines with his late Italian migrant parents in the early 1970s. Charlie Zannino City of Swan Mayor and Swan Valley/Gidgegannup Ward Councillor for nearly 20 years, Charlie Zannino has lived in the Swan Valley since arriving from Italy as a young child with his family. Educated locally, Charlie learned traditional winemaking from his father, later enrolling in short courses at the University of Western Australia to learn modern winemaking methods and completing formal qualifications in Horticulture. Charlie started Valley Wines with his late Italian migrant parents, Antonio and Mariangela in the early 1970s offering bulk wines, a traditional style of wine still very popular in Europe today and a tradition he carries on today with wife, Sally and sons AJ and Trent. Mayor Charlie Zannino Reminiscing about growing up in the Swan Valley during the 1950s and 60s, Charlie has lived through a period of immense change influenced by the English and then by the large influx of eastern Europeans from Italy and Croatia who created a wonderful enclave of working vineyards, wineries and market gardens that is the Swan Valley today.

12 Talijancich Wines Jim Talijancich arrived in Fremantle, Western Australia in 1926 from Croatia to begin his new life. In early 1932, after marrying Ljubica Svetanovich, they purchased their Swan Valley vineyard and proceeded with their first vintage, making fortified wine from muscat and shiraz....quickly gaining a reputation for premium fortified wine, in particular vintage ports, sherry and liqueurs, and winning major awards Australiawide... The sudden passing of Jim Talijancich in 1945 thrust son Peter, only 13 years old at the time into the family business. Gaining further experience from winemakers like the late Jack Mann, Peter began winemaking for himself on a full time basis, very quickly gaining a reputation for premium fortified wine, in particular vintage ports, sherry and liqueurs, and winning major awards Australiawide and overseas for his muscat, and pedro ximenes liqueur. Peter retired after completing over 50 vintages. His son James joined the family business in 1977 with a focus on verdelho and shiraz while retaining their range of liqueurs saw the continuation of the family business, when James and his wife Hilda purchased the winery and vineyard, confirming three generations of ownership. Today, Talijancich continues to evolve, planting of the Graciano vineyard, developing the Peter Talijancich Reserve from the original 1932 shiraz vines, and continuing what the winery was always about, fortified wine. Peter Talijancich

Our Name - Robbie s mother s family name, was the obvious

Our Name - Robbie s mother s family name, was the obvious L Angevin - The Beginning it was a spring evening in 2001, when my husband Alan Peirson, myself, Robbie and Shannon Meyer were enjoying a bottle of wine together when our discussion turned to the future.