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Our Story

OUR STORY HAS BEEN A LONG TIME IN THE MAKING … WE HAVE BEEN GROWING GRAPES AND MAKING WINE FOR A COMBINED PERIOD OF 45 YEARS, AND LAUNCHED OUR WINE BRAND, WHICHER RIDGE WINES, IN 2008.

Our label is inspired by a photo taken by Neil of our vineyard. The large marri (red gum) stands proudly in the top corner of the vineyard. The lightning bolt on the label and on our logo is about our ESP, our Energy, Strength and and Power.

The lightning bolt striking the ridge is symbolic of our energy that has gone into developing and nurturing our vineyard, and into producing grapes of the very highest quality for our wines. The strength and power of the lightning bolt also represents our unique partnership of an experienced viticulturalist and a highly skilled winemaker, working together to produce a range of special regional wines.

Neil Playing Petanque - Whicher Ridge Wines

Neil Howard

“I have worked in vineyards for most of my working life starting in the Pyrenees region of Victoria with Taltarni and Blue Pyrenees Estate in the mid 1980’s, then spent the next 12 years at Mount Avoca as Viticulturalist / Vineyard Manager. I moved to Western Australia in 1998, and managed the Sandalford Wines vineyard in Margaret River for a number of years, then developed and managed a number of smaller vineyards throughout the Margaret River region, including setting up and managing an organic vineyard.

I started the planning and development of our Whicher Ridge vineyard in 2003, and after 3 years of hard work, we harvested our first grapes in 2008. I manage our vineyard and farming property on a full time basis, as well as helping Cath with making our wines in our winery.

The most rewarding thing for me is to see people enjoying our wine, which makes the hard work in the vineyard and in the winery, well worth the effort”.

Favourite Pastime – Playing petanque!

Wine Sensory Garden - Whicher Ridge Wines

Cathy Howard

“I moved to South Australia from Tasmania in 1995, after working for Pipers Brook Vineyard and Cascade Brewery. I worked as a winemaker at Orlando Wines, then St Hallett Wines in the Barossa Valley. In 2002 I moved to Western Australia, working for a number of years as Chief Winemaker for Watershed Wines in Margaret River, followed by another couple of years managing a large contract winemaking facility in Margaret River.

Over time, I have gained a solid reputation for making high quality premium wines, in particular Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. I am now devoted full time to making our wines at Whicher Ridge with Neil. I help out as much as I can in our vineyard as well as also hitting the road promoting and selling our wines.

It is every winemaker’s dream to one day make their own wine, and I am finally living that dream”.

Favourite Pastimes – Looking after all of the farm animals, and gardening of course!

Wine Dog Polly - Whicher Ridge Wines

Wine Dogs

Remember life is too short to drink bad wine and owning a dog will make you live longer. What better way is there to drink more wine than by owning a woofer?

Wine Dogs McGill & Elliot 2004

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