HOUGHTON

Houghton was established in 1836, just four years after the fledgling colony of Western Australia was founded. It is one of Australia's oldest operating wineries. Since winning its first wine award in 1880, Houghton has amassed thousands of trophies, medals and accolades, and is arguably Western Australia’s most awarded winery.

Across a colourful history panning over 175 years, Houghton has had just 13 senior winemakers. This has allowed wines to be produced with a remarkable consistency of style. Legendary Houghton winemaker, Jack Mann, was responsible for 51 consecutive vintages. Jack brought passion, creative genius and an influence that extended far beyond Houghton, to the entire West Australian and Australian wine industry. Jack's best-known creation was Houghton White Burgundy, now 'Houghton White Classic', first crafted with incredible foresight in 1937 and an Australian favourite to this day.

Houghton is now the tenth-largest red and white bottle brand in Australia, and sources fruit from every major premium grape-growing region in WA, including Gingin, Margaret River, Frankland River and Mount Barker in the Great Southern, and the emerging Pemberton region.

Ross Pamment

Ross had always wanted to be a winemaker from an early age. Fine wines resonated with his palate, but sage advice saw him work in the industry before committing to study. He began his winemaking career as a Cellar Hand at Houghton in the Swan Valley in 1989.

With a keen interest in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Ross ventured to Burgundy, France, in 1990, to undertake a vintage with Louis Chapuis of Aloxe Corton. A further two years were spent wandering the wine wilderness of Europe, each experience building his palate and desire to become a winemaker.

Back in Australia, Ross completed a Bachelor of Science in Oenology at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. His first role out of university was at Mountadam in Eden Valley, South Australia, as Winemaker during the 1996 vintage.

Upon the birth of his first daughter in 1997, Ross moved back home to Western Australia, taking up a position as Assistant Winemaker with Salitage in the developing Pemberton wine region.

In October 1999, Ross rejoined the winemaking team at Houghton in the Swan Valley.

In 2001, he was the inaugural winner of the 'Qantas Medal', presented by Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine, encouraging excellence among young winemakers.

In 2004, he was selected as one of only 12 winemakers in Australia to attend the week-long Len Evans Wine Tutorial, arguably the most exclusive wine school in the world and an experience Ross cites as "once in a lifetime".

In 2009, Ross was appointed Houghton’s Senior Winemaker, as successor to Rob Bowen. Ross now holds the mantle of maintaining the definitive and consistent style of Houghton White Classic (formerly Houghton White Burgundy), while also crafting small parcels of fine wines from Margaret River, Pemberton and the Great Southern region. One of the finest examples of his work is the Houghton Wisdom Pemberton Chardonnay.

Outside of wine, Ross enjoys the pursuit of reducing his golf handicap and is also an active soccer player. He lives with his wife, Sharon, and two children in the Perth Hills.