Description
WINEMAKERS NOTES
Pale straw with tinges of green and gold Intense aromatics of white peach, dried fig and lime citrus merge with subtle nougat, toasted brioche, grilled nuts and oak derived spice from barrel fermentation. A medium bodied Chardonnay with texture and a fine acid line supporting the long length of flavour. The taut and
linear palate displays citrus and white stone fruits with hints of vanillin. A lovely fine phenolic texture drawn through the length of the palate.
The south west of Western Australia experienced average to above average winter rainfall in the Winter of 2021. The high rainfall totals continued in to Spring with WA experiencing spring rainfall that was 35% above the 1961-1990 average and the wettest Spring since 2014. The seasonal change from Spring to Summer was quite sudden and distinct. The spring rainfall dried up and the Summer heat arrived with a flurry in December. The Summer of 2021-22 was the eighth hottest WA Summer on record with successive heatwaves starting over the Christmas period and extending through January and February. As a result of the above weather patterns the growing season started out with good soil moisture, however this quickly dried up as the Summer wore on. The hot conditions meant the vineyard managers had to be mindful of keeping the water up to the vines and picking decisions were critical to ensuring grapes were picked at optimal ripeness with sufficient acidity.
About Houghton Wines
Houghton is one of Australia’s oldest wineries, dating all the way back to 1836. Houghton wines is known for its colourful history including tales of pioneer Scots, bandits, and generations of winemaking craftsmanship.
Only four years after the fledgling town of Perth was established, three British Army officers (Thomas Yule, Ninian Lowis and Richmond Houghton) purchased a prime piece of land in the Swan Valley and established Houghton.
We captured the nation’s attention in 1937 when winemaker Jack Mann created Houghton White Burgundy. Now known as White Classic, this is still one of the most popular Australian white wines today.
AWARDS
The reason Houghton is one of Western Australia’s most awarded wineries has everything to do with the people behind the wines.
In the past three decades alone, Houghton wines have won over 250 trophies and 4,800 medals at domestic and international wine shows.
As one of Australia’s oldest and most revered wineries, Houghton has a legacy of consistent, quality winemaking and an impressive history that spans only 14 senior winemakers. Throughout its history, Houghton has received a monumental 828 Gold Medals and 285 Trophies.2
Courtney Treacher
After earning a Bachelor of Science (Viticulture and Oenology) at Curtin University, Courtney began her career in vineyards in the Perth Hills, Swan Valley, Margaret River at Redgate Wines, and Hunter Valley at Tamburlaine Wines. Courtney joined Houghton Wines in 2004 and has since delivered 20 vintages across Houghton, Swan Valley, and Nannup. In 2020, we proudly appointed Courtney to Senior Winemaker for Houghton Wines.
Courtney enjoys leading a dynamic team and taking on the challenge of making exceptional wines of varied styles under the Houghton, Brookland Valley, Goundrey, Amberley and Moondah Brook ranges. Courtney has judged at many local and national wine shows, and she was a scholar at the prestigious Len Evans Tutorial in 2011. An experience she describes as once in a lifetime.
Courtney has a longstanding passion for winemaking, falling in love with the transformational art behind crafting grapes into wine.
When she is not enjoying a traditional Chardonnay, Riesling or Cabernet, you can find Courtney enjoying photography or travelling to exotic locations. This includes across her home state of Western Australia.