Houghton Wines
Houghton is the oldest and largest winery in the Swan Valley about 25 km north of Perth in Western Australia.
History
1829 gave South Australia's first Governor James Stirling his servants Revett Henry Blend in recognition of expedition services the land on the upper reaches of the Swan River, the Swan Location was called II. 1836 bought three British officers who had served together in the East India Company, the northern part of this area; from the most senior of the CWB, Lieutenant Colonel Richmond Houghton, it got its name. There is however no indication that Houghton has ever entered the country; Manage he had his share of his co-owner Thomas Newte Yule.
As a founding date of the estate ( up fine sword between two intuitive swans ) 1836 is reported in the company's emblem, which is historically blurred. Although the land was already planted in the time of acquisition by the three Britons with vines. As commercially -used Winery - the first of its kind in Western Australia - however, it is only detected when the Edinburgh immigrated to Australia Dr. John Ferguson in 1859 the officers bought from the land for 350 pounds.
Going to John Ferguson, the three historic buildings in the Scottish country house style ( croft ) back ( 1987/88 restored ), surrounded by green parks. Ferguson built the former home of Thomas Newte Yule to the wine cellar and scored in the first year (1860 ) a yield of 100 liters.
Almost 100 years ( three generations) long remained the winery owned by the Ferguson family. Initially the wine was only a sideline, but the son and grandson focused solely on that production line. The Middle Swan Winery was the largest winery in Western Australia through acquisitions of land and cooperation with experienced growers to the middle of the 20th century.
One of the most influential winemakers was Jack Mann, who produced wines for Houghton in 51 consecutive vintages. In 1937, his White Burgundy is the flagship for the Western Australian wine production. It involves no Pinot Blanc; Rather, the name should be the Australian customers evoke associations to the remote Burgundy and suggest to him, this wine is comparable with the world's best locations. Against the backdrop of significant quality projection of this wine over other typical blending wines and the fact that very few Australians would have had real possibilities for comparison with the grands vins Burgundy, this advertising strategy was very successful until the second half of the 20th century. The award-winning wine with a fruity taste, characteristic labeled (white with blue stripe), is one of the best known in Australia and even in the 21st century still the favorite in the range, but under the name Houghton White Classic. In this new name the production of wine from a typical regional varieties mixture is reflected.
1950 sold the grandson of John Ferguson, the winery to the Emu Wine Company, which in turn was in 1976 by the Hardy Wine Company, based in Reynella (South Australia ) bought. This company transformed the family winery into a nationally operating company.
In the 21st century Houghton is a widely known about Australia beyond wine production and distribution company with worldwide export activities, particularly in the USA and Europe. Approximately 8,000 tons of grapes, the 1.7 million liters of wine ( packaged in 9-liter cartons) are processed annually arise.
The winery today
The Houghton Winery has early 21st century, about 60 acres of vineyards in the historic core area on the Swan River, with the white grape varieties ( Verdelho, Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc) are planted.
However, today produced at Houghton Wines no longer originate mainly from the Swan Valley, but up to 300 KM away from growing areas in the cool climates in the far south-west of Australia, for example Moondah Brook ( 145 ha), Pemberton (92 ha), Mount Barker ( 74 ha) and Frankland River ( 89 ha). Houghton wines come from Margaret River, from Harvey and from the Ferguson Valley. In these areas also red varieties such as Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir grow.
This expansion required the installation of a second production facility in Nannup in the Blackwood Valley.
Houghton wines are sold under the names Houghton Crofters, Line Range, Houghton Regional Range and Jack Mann. In the name Houghton Crofters Scottish country estate style of historic assets is reflected; but it does not mean that these wines ( they come in several varieties and varietal mixtures ) from the core region originate. In the Line Range label, denotes only the grape variety; the origin is arbitrary. The regional range designated on the label except the vine and the wine-growing region (eg " Margaret River ", " Pemberton "); it should be noted, however, that according to the Australian wine law of any origin wine psr may contain 20 % admixtures of other vine -growing regions. The man Jack brand called today is not the "White Burgundy Classic " from 1937, but a named in honor of winemaker Cabernet Sauvignon.
Tourism
Houghton held at its historic factory in Middle Swan daily wine tastings in the context of group tours, mostly in connection with organized boat trips on the Swan River (called Wine Cruises) that are popular and can be booked from Perth or Fremantle daily with international visitors. Among the regular opening times as well as individual travel, consulting and wine tasting at Houghton are possible. The shop also organizes overseas shipping for the tourists.