Cathy - Whicher Ridge Wines

Photo by Frances Andrijich (supplied by Whicher Ridge Wines)

Who: Cathy and Neil Howard, Whicher Ridge Wines

Where: Chapman Hill, Busselton

What season: All year

Farm Highlight: Wine tasting, wine sensory garden, summer evening picnic

Cathy moved to South Australia from Tasmania in 1995, after working for Pipers Brook Vineyard and Cascade Brewery. Cathy worked at Orlando Wines, then St Hallett Wines in the Barossa Valley, and in 2002, she moved to Margaret River in Western Australia after meeting Neil, to work as Chief Winemaker for Watershed Wines. Cathy has gained a solid reputation for making high quality premium wines, most notably Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Her passion for gardening, shines in the form of the unique Wine Sensory garden, established in 2014. Favourite Pastimes – horses, keeping chooks, ducks and pet sheep, and gardening

Neil has worked in vineyards starting in the Pyrenees region of Victoria with Taltarni and Blue Pyrenees Estate in the mid 1980’s, then worked for 2 years at Mount Avoca as Vineyard Manager. He moved to Margaret River in Western Australia in 1998 and managed the Sandalford Wines vineyard for several years, then developed and managed a number of smaller vineyards throughout the Margaret River region, including setting up and managing an organic vineyard. As well as managing and nurturing the Whicher Ridge Vineyard, Neil also helps Cathy with making the wines in their winery and keeping our compost project ticking along. Favourite pastime – fishing and playing petanque!

Polly is the Wine Dog and specialises in Customer Service and Customer Relations. Polly is a black kelpie, super good looking and she loves having her photo taken. Polly also loves people, especially children and she doesn’t mind the odd doggy visitor either as long as they are well behaved and leave her sheep and chooks alone. Polly will be the first one to meet and greet you when you arrive at Whicher Ridge, just follow her and she will lead you in the right direction to the Cellar Door. Her favourite pastime - riding in the truck with Neil!