Interview with Denis and Tricia Horgan [transcript] Interviewer: Rob Linn

Denis Horgan was born on 25 January 1940 and was the eldest of four boys. He lived in Perth, W.A. and his father died when he was young. He left school at 14 and studied to be an accountant, then started his own business. Tricia Horton (nee Hollett) was born and grew up in Perth. Her father managed Watkins Products and became Managing Director in Melbourne. She stayed in Perth. Denis' parents were Gwen and Gerard. His father was the State Manager of a life insurance company. Denis and Tricia had four children under the age of five and Denis found work too demanding to have much family time. They bought a farm in Margaret River (now known as Leeuwin Estate) in 1969. An American from Napa Valley, Robert Mondavi, was interested in buying it. There were 1150 acres in 1969 and most farming then was on 110 acre blocks which was only subsistence farming. They did not sell but Mondavi became their "godfather" and introduced them to the best wines in the world. He was an inspiring and enlightened man and encouraged them to go into the wine industry with the aim of making excellent wine. They planted Chardonnay, Shiraz, Gewurztraminer, and Mondavi assisted with the first vintages. Stan Heritage from South Australia planted their first crop and they initially planted 220 acres which was the most significant in the W.A. wine industry at that time. Their winery was the most modern in the southern hemisphere. Bob Cartwright was the winemaker and John Brocksopp the viticulturalist. Henry Kowalski was the farm manager. Support came from Len Evans, James Halliday, Tom Cullity and Kevin Cullen. Denis was 1/3 owner of Petaluma with Len Evans and Brian Croser. Their first chardonnay was named the world's top tasting in 'Decanter' magazine. They received very good press from the start, they produced .05% of Australia's wines and started the Art Series labels. Denis buys five new paintings every year. As part of the Perth Festival they organised to have the London Philharmonic play at the winery and sold 5,000 tickets (1985). It is now an annual event. Leeuwin Estate is now in the lifestyle business - restaurant, four concerts a year, recitals, and an art gallery and they have 160,000 visitors per annum

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