SW varieties exhibit at Festival
MOOJELUP Farm is among four of the region's wineries to be showcasing their varieties at the food and wine precinct of the Harvey Harvest Festival.
Simon Holthouse started the small business on his Cookernup property, which has been in his family as a dairy and beef cattle farm for more than 60 years.
The first vintage was in 2000 and he now produces cabernet, shiraz, semillon and - for the first time - vermentino, a relatively rare southern Mediterranean variety.
Moojelup Farm's flagship wine is a handmade sparkling shiraz and, although most wines are made offsite, Mr Holthouse has taught himself to make wine under the guidance of a consulting winemaker.
Three hectares of the property is under vines, producing about 2000 bottles a year, which are sold online, by mail order and in some hotels and restaurants.
Mr Holthouse's interest in and knowledge about the industry led him to take on the role of president of the Geographe Wine Industry Association. "Growing vines is hard work and very challenging," he said.
"No vintage is the same and it is fascinating how the combination of conditions and variations in the process produce a slightly different taste while keeping with the character of the wine from the area it grows."
Mr Holthouse is no newcomer to the Harvey Harvest Festival and will join Vineyard 28, Harvey River Bridge Estate and 5th Estate in exhibiting at the food and wine precinct during Sunday.
