Latest winery acquisition in Pemberton will increase awareness of sparkling wine quality in the region

A recent land acquisition in Pemberton by a well-known West Australian wine producer is set to increase awareness of sparkling wine quality in the region and usher in a new era of wine in the South West. Howard Park Wines — a family-owned winery that has been crafting beautiful wines for more than 35 years — recently purchased part of the Pemberley of Pemberton vineyard with the intention of becoming West Australia’s premier sparkling producer. Pemberley — which has been supplying fruit for Howard Park’s famed Jete range of methode traditionnelle wines — has been growing premium Southern Forests fruit since 2003, including chardonnay and pinot noir which have proven to be a stunning base for sparkling wines. The 48ha vineyard also features four other varieties, including prosecco, pinot gris, sauvignon blanc and semillon. Howard Park Wines founder Jeff Burch said the goal was to be West Australia’s premier sparkling producer and this acquisition was the next step on our journey. “Our chief winemaker Nic Bowen has an incredible track record of producing exceptional wines, and especially world class sparkling,” he said. “This investment gives Nic and his team even more opportunity to showcase their talents and indicates how serious we are about crafting West Australia’s best sparkling wines. Mr Burch said the fruit from Pemberley and the Pemberton region as a whole, makes an excellent sparkling base which will be a brilliant complement and blending component for their Jete wines. “In addition, we’ll continue to showcase what the region has to offer in the sparkling wine category.” Pemberley of Pemberton Jordan Radomiljac said the winery’s relationship with the Burch family goes way back and the acquisition further solidified the bond between the two winemaking businesses. “Forest View has been a terrific resource for both of our businesses and we know through this ongoing partnership, it will give Howard Park the opportunity to bring more awareness to the quality of sparkling wines coming out of the Pemberton wine region.” Mr Bowen — who will also assist the Pemberley team in further developing their own sparkling wines with fruit from their original sites — said he is was familiar with the Forest View Vineyard because of his father Rob Bowen who was the original winemaker at Pemberley and his late mother, Denise, the artist behind Pemberley’s iconic art deco label. “I originally visited Pemberley with my dad many years ago to inspect the vines,” he said. “I casually mentioned that the south-facing Chardonnay D block would be brilliant for making methode traditionnelle sparkling wines. Never in a million years did I think I’d get to do just that. “2023 is shaping up to be a very exciting vintage for the region, and I’m looking forward to welcoming these new parcels into the winery this year.” Wine lovers can expect to taste the Pemberton fruit within Howard Park’s wines as early as this vintage.