Jeff and Amy Burch, founders of Howard Park and Burch Family Wines, have been awarded the Perth Wine Show’s top honour: the Jack Mann Memorial Medal.
Considered the most prestigious accolade in the state’s wine industry, the medal stands as a celebration of individuals who have made an outstanding, long-term contribution to the Western Australian wine community. Previous winners include the likes of Tom Cullity of Vasse Felix, Denis and Tricia Horgan from Leeuwin Estate, David Hohnen, Di Cullen, Vanya Cullen OAM, and more.
In the case of the Burches, the recognition comes shortly ahead of Howard Park’s 40th anniversary year and is a testament to their role in spearheading multi-regional blending, which saw them establish Howard Park on the belief that the distinct climates of the Great Southern and Margaret River could produce wines of exceptional quality and complexity.
“I’m so proud to see Jeff and Amy’s commitment formally recognised, having watched them pour their time, energy, and passion into this industry over many decades, making countless sacrifices along the way,” says Richard Burch, son of Jeff and Amy and Howard Park Wines’ Sales & Marketing Director.
Also announced over the past week are the results of the Royal Perth Wine Awards, with Juniper Estate’s Cornerstone Karridale Chardonnay claiming Wine of Show for its 2024 vintage, the first complete vintage by new winemaker Andrew Bretherton.
It was also the wine’s first outing on the show circuit, along with one other entry from the family-run estate, the 2024 Cornerstone Wilyabrup Chardonnay, which also earned a Gold Medal in the Chardonnay class.
“It is a great reward for the hard work put in by both our vineyard and winery teams and a fantastic acknowledgement of the quality of our programs and our vineyard sites,” Andrew Bretherton said.
“In a warm vintage, we were always very excited by the power, complexity and pristine fruit that is expressed in this wine … The focus is to retain the pristine citrus fruit while coaxing out the little pops of complexity that make all Chardonnays from this special place so drinkable.”
(L) CEO Tom Hill and winemaker Andrew Bretherton, and (R) the 2024 Cornerstone Wilyabrup Chardonnay
Jumper Cornerstone Karridale Vineyard 2024 was also awarded the Trophy for Best White Wine and Trophy for Best Western Australian Wine of Show. The other Special Trophy winners for 2025 include:
Best Rosé: Jacob’s Creek Le Petit Rosé 2025, Rowland Flat, SABest Red: Mandoon Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, Caversham, WABest Sparkling: Pipers Brook Vineyard Kreglinger Vintage Brut 2019, Pipers Brook, TASBest Wine of Provenance: Deep Woods Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2014, 2018, 2024, Dunsborough, WABest Fortified: Morris Wines Cellar Reserve Grand Muscat, Yenda, WA
Second generation owner and CEO of Juniper Estate, Tom Hill, said the awards are great recognition of 27 years of hard work.
“We have a great team of people in the Juniper family: Andy making incredible wines, and Ianto Ward our viticulturist, who is very passionate about sustainability, soil health and the vines,” he said.
Less than 10 per cent of the 1,053 entries were awarded gold medals in this year’s competition, 45 of which were from Western Australia.
The full Royal Perth Wine Show results can be viewed here.
Meanwhile, reflecting on this year’s Jack Mann Memorial Medal recipients, President of the WA Wine Press Club Emanuel Loucas says “Howard Park’s Jeff and Amy Burch have equally contributed to the growth and standing of the industry, directly through their own wines, but also through encouragement and involvement in many other aspects of the industry.”
Established in 1976, the WA Wine Press Club was the first wine press club in Australia and has been the custodian of the Jack Mann Memorial Medal since 1989 when the first medal was awarded to Dr John Gladstones AO.
Richard Burch concludes: “For me, it’s all their generosity of time that speaks volumes. The years spent on industry committees, Jeff’s leadership of the Agricultural Produce Commission, their support of viticultural research, and the private tastings for Len Evans scholars are just some of the ways that they contribute. Above all, I’m proud of the way they’ve introduced so many people from all walks of life to the world of wine.”
Dining and Cooking