Houghton Winery

Infobox Australian Winery
winery_name = Houghton Wine Company
winery_
location_place = Swan Valley
location_state = Western Australia
location_country = Australia
wine_region = Swan Valley, Margaret River, Mount Barker, Frankland River, Pemberton
former_name =
other_labels= Crofters, Moondah Brook
year_founded = 1836
first_vintage = 1859
key_people = Robert Bowen, Chief Winemaker
parent_company = Hardy Wine Company
cases_per_year =
signature_wine = Houghton White Classic
varietal1 = Shiraz
varietal2 = Cabernet Sauvignon
varietal3 = Chardonnay
varietal4 = Verdelho
varietal5 = Sauvignon Blanc
varietal6 = Semillon
varietal7 = Chenin Blanc
varietal8 = Riesling
varietal9 = Merlot
varietal10 =
varietal11 =
varietal12 =
varietal13 =
varietal14 =
varietal15 =
other_product1=
other_product2=
other_product3=
other_product4=
other_product5=
homepage=http://www.houghton-wines.com.au/
other_attractions = café, picnic grounds, concerts and art gallery
distribution =
tasting= cellar door open 363 days a year from 10am to 5pm

History

The land of which Houghton was part (Swan Location II) was originally assigned by Governor James Stirling to Revett Henry Bland in 1829 [ [http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A030173b.htm Bland, Revett (Rivett) Henry (1811 - 1894) Biographical Entry] ] . In 1836, a syndicate of three British Army Officers, Houghton, Lowie and Yule (who had been serving together in India) purchased the northern half of Swan location II. The syndicate named the property Houghton after the senior ranking officer of their group, Lieutenant Colonel Richmond Houghton.

Houghton himself did not come to Western Australia and for the next 23 years the property was managed and developed by one of the members of the syndicate, Thomas Newte Yule.

In 1859, Dr John Ferguson purchased the Houghton property for the sum of 350 pounds and in that same year produced the first commercial vintage of wine from the vineyard a total of 25 gallons [ [http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A010354b.htm Ferguson, John (1802 - 1883) Biographical Entry] ] .

The Emu Wine Company purchased the Houghton property in 1950 from the Ferguson family. In April 1976, the South Australian winemaking Hardy family acquired the stock of the London based Emu Wine Company and with that purchase, became owners of Houghton.

The 50 hectares of vineyards surrounding the Swan Valley winery consist of plantings of Verdelho, Chardonnay, Semillon and Chenin Blanc. Early documentation and current research suggests the first vines were planted between 1830 and 1836.

In addition Houghton operates four of Western Australia's largest vineyards at Moondah Brook (145 hectares), Pemberton (92 hectares), Mt Barker (74 hectares) and Frankland River (89 hectares), along with sourcing fruit from Margaret River, Harvey and the Ferguson Valley [ [http://www.houghton-wines.com.au/vineyards.html Houghton Vineyards] ] .

Expansion into the Western Australian South West and Great southern region led to the establishment of a second premium winery, located at Nannup in the Blackwood Valley.

The Houghton portfolio includes the brands of Houghton Line Range, Houghton Crofters, Moondah Brook, Houghton Regional Range, Houghton Gladstone and Jack Mann.

Jack Mann is considered Western Australia's most influential winemaker and served a total of 51 consecutive vintages at Houghton. Among Jack's many achievements include being awarded an MBE in 1964, a successful underarm bowler and The West Australian Newspaper included him in their list of Western Australia's 100 most influential people. One of Jack's most significant accomplishments was the creation of the Houghton White Burgundy in 1937, a full bodied chenin blanc wine. The Houghton White Burgundy was so named because the judges and winemakers at the 1937 Melbourne Wine Show likened it to the style of wines from Burgundy, France. The Houghton White Burgundy has become one of Australia's most popular white wines and is Australia’s oldest consecutive vintage white wine. Houghton White Burgundy was renamed Houghton White Classic in 2005 to comply with an international trade agreement between Australia and the EU (see Protected designation of origin).

Moondyne Joe, Western Australia's most famous bushranger was captured on the Houghton property in the act of stealing wine from the cellars on the 25th February 1869. [ [http://www.mcb.wa.gov.au/OurCemeteries/Fremantle/Founders_and_Felons.pdf Founders and Felons] ] [ [http://www.moondynejoes.com.au/legend.asp The legend of Moondyne Joe] ] . By chance, the owner, Charles William Ferguson had been helping with a police search, and afterwards invited a group of police back to the vineyard for refreshments [ [http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A040173b.htm Ferguson, Charles William (1847 - 1940) Biographical Entry] ] . When Charles entered the cellar, Joe assumed that he was discovered, and made a dash for the door into the arms of the police.

Houghton is now owned by the Hardy Wine Company which is part of Constellation Brands.

ee also

*Jack Mann
*Swan Valley, Western Australia
*Australian wine
*Wines of Burgundy

References

External links

* [http://www.houghton-wines.com.au/ Houghton official web site]
* [http://www.hardywines.com.au/ Hardy Wine Company]
* [http://www.cbrands.com/ Constellation Brands]
* [http://www.henleywines.co.uk/products.asp?cat=A-3B Henley Wines]