Houghton Wines, based in the heart of the Swan Valley, contains a wealth of romantic history. Named after Lieutenant Colonel Richmond Houghton in 1836, the first commercial vintage was produced in 1859 totalling 25 gallons, the foundation for one of Australia's oldest continuous winemakers. The picturesque Houghton winery property today has fifty hectares planted with premium grape varieties including 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, Pemberton, Mt Barker and Frankland River, along with sourcing fruit from Margaret River, Harvey and emerging premium areas. These diverse wine regions provide the necessary fruit requirements vital for the production of premium table wines, which are distinctly Western Australian.
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. Together the sites provide an outstanding capability for premium wine production via minimal fruit handling with flexibility, to achieve quality excellence.
The Houghton commitment to excellence from vine to bottle has established the enviable position of Western Australia's most awarded winemaker. The portfolio includes the brands of Houghton (including the famous White Burgundy), Houghton Crofters, and Moondah Brook. The new Houghton Regional Range is a selection of elegant, premium varietal styles from key South West Western Australian regions, such as Frankland River Shiraz and Riesling; Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon and Pemberton Chardonnay, Merlot and Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir.
Special Houghton releases and the Houghton Jack Mann reserve Cabernet, reflect the ultra premium winemaking abilities and cellaring potential of Houghton wines. The late Jack Mann, creator of Houghton White Burgundy in 1937, was the driving force of Houghton for 51 years and a legendary character of Western Australia. Long time friend Dr John Gladstones has supported the regionlised direction of Houghton, endorsing the Frankland River super premium Shiraz with his name. This followed the development of the Houghton Regional Range holding aligned varieties within Western Australian sub-regions.
Today, the name Houghton is synonymous with fine wines and the parkland gardens, historic cellars and restored homestead (of Scottish Croft design) provide picturesque surroundings for wines which have become a piece of Australian wine history. Houghton has significant vineyard holdings in most of Western Australia's premium grape growing regions: Frankland River Location: 350km south-east of Perth, WA (Frankland River district) Size: 89 hectares Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Riesling, Shiraz, Verdelho, Semillon.
Pemberton Location: 3km NW Pemberton township, WA Size: 92 hectares Varieties: Verdelho, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc. Omrah vineyard - Mount Barker Location: Great Southern region of WA Size: 74 hectares Varieties: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz Swan Valley Location: 25km north of Perth, WA Size: 60 hectares Varieties: Chenin Blanc, Verdelho, Semillon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc.
Houghton also has two winemaking sites in Western Australia: Middle Swan Processing Capacity: 8,000 tonnes Packaging Capacity (9 litre cases): 1.7 million. Nannup Processing Capacity: 3,000 tonnes
