The definition of watershed is 'to go to a new (higher) level of understanding; an awakening'. A second meaning is ‘a high area of land between two bodies of water'. Both meanings are appropriate to Watershed Premium Wines.

The Watershed label was designed by Roland Butcher and incorporates a purple room with a four paned window on the wall. Green vines can be seen looking out of the window, however, the main focus is a ray of light streaming through the glass and diffusing across the floor, symbolizing a human being’s ‘stream of consciousness’ - a creative but almost uncontrollable thought process, spurred on by small inspirations, all leading to a final revelation, or awakening.

  • Watershed Premium Wines is one of the few major producers in Margaret River to have the capacity to satisfy the international wine market demand.
  • Watershed Premium Wines is responsible for the single largest initial vineyard planting in the region.
  • With 177 hectares under vine, in the vintage 2008 Watershed crushed around 1300 tonnes with a future expectation of 2400 tonnes – that’s around eight times as much as the region’s largest boutique vineyards.
  • 49% of vines are currently made up of red varietals, 51% being white varietals
  • There are currently 1,200 vine rows on the Stage 1 property – measuring 270km, the distance between Margaret River and Perth!
  • As well as Margaret River’s traditional varieties of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, some alternative varietals have been planted, such as Zinfandel, Sangiovese and Viognier.
  • The first vintage grapes were sourced from several growers in the Margaret River region, off vines between 7 to 20 years in age. The first release wines in 2002 were produced by then wine making consultant, John Wade, at a contract winery in Margaret River.
  • The second vintage in 2003 sourced grapes from contract growers and, for the first time, fruit from the Watershed vineyard was processed at the Watershed winery by our Winemaker.
  • In December 2004 the first of the reserve style range was released with the 2004 Awakening Sauvignon Blanc, followed shortly by the 2004 Awakening Chardonnay and the 2003 Awakening Cabernet Sauvignon. Now onto their second vintages, these flagship wines have recieved a host of accolades and awards.
  • In February 2005 the 2004 Viognier was released, becoming the first wine to be produced from 100% Watershed fruit. Now onto its second vintage, it has also been accompanied by the 2004 Zinfandel (since sold out) as fully estate grown wines.
  • Watershed recently made the innovative decision to bottle ALL varietal wines under screw cap, not traditional cork, reducing the risk of spoilage due to ‘cork taint’ and also embracing progressive technology.

SEVERINE LOGAN - Winemaker

Severine commenced employment as Watershed's head winemaker in January 2007. Severine holds a national Diploma of Oenology from Toulouse University in France and and Associate Diploma in Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry from orelans University in France.

Severine's final task in August to December 1990, as part of her Oenology Diploma, was to set up trials at Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, Chateaa Phelan-Segur on must and juice concentration by evaporation under vacuum on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot fruit.

From 1991 to 1994 Severine worked at a number of French wineries as either a consultant winemaker or vintage winemaker. In 1995 Severine worked as a vintage cellar hand at Brown Brothers before returning to France for the 1995 vintage.

Severine returned to Australia in January 1996 and worked as a cellar hand, then assistant winemaker and finally winemaker for BRL Hardy at Houghton Wines in Western Australia. This appointment also resulted in Severine returning to France in August and September 1998 to undertake vintage work at BRL Hardy's winery, Domaine de La Baume, in Languedoc.

Severine was appointed winemaker at Sandalford Wines in Western Australia in January 1999. Severine moved to the position of winemaker at Rosemount Estate in the Hunter Valley in October 2000 and prior to her departure to join Watershed Severine was responsible for overseeing the production and as leading winemaker for Rosemount's reserve wines in New South Wales

 

LEONARD RUSSELL - Vineyard Manager

Leonard Russell was appointed Vineyard Supervisor in August 2001. He has had over 10 years experience in all aspects of vineyard development, maintenance and management. Leonard was vineyard manager for 4 years at Xanadu Wines and prior to that spent 2 years at Voyager Estate. Leonard has successfully completed 3 years of a Bachelor of Applied Science (Viticulture) with Charles Sturt University.

 

BRETT ROBINS - General Manager/ Company Secretary

B.Bus (Accounting) Chartered Accountant, Grad Dip (Accounting)

Brett Robins joined Watershed in December 2005 as Manager of Investment Services and was appointed to the role of General Manager in July 2006. Previously he was Chief Financial Officer/ Company Secretary of fellow Margaret River Wineries Brookland Valley Estate and Swings & Roundabouts Ltd. Brett is a qualified Chartered Accountant and a Registered Tax Agent.

Prior to becoming an accountant he had over 12 years experience in banking and finance,and was also involved in business lending and information technology.

 

TONY BRANDTMAN - National Sales & Marketing Manager

Tony Brandtman was employed by Watershed in April 2005 as NSW Trading Manager, being responsible for wholesalers, Key Accounts and the management of three sales representatives. In May 2006 he was appointed to the role of National Sales & Marketing Manager, overseeing all distribution and a sales team of 13 staff throughout Australia.

Tony has an extensive history within the wine and retail industry, and was previously involved with Icon Brands, McGuigans Wines and the National Liquor Company. He is currently studying a Diploma of Wine Marketing at Adelaide University.

 

 

GEOFFREY THOMAS BARRETT
LLB (Hons), B.Com (Accounting)
Managing Director

Geoff Barrett is Managing Director of Watershed Premium Wines Ltd, Watershed Land Ltd and Watershed Wines Ltd. Geoff has recently completed a two year role on the executive committee of the Margaret River Wine Industry Association. In December 2005 Geoff was appointed to the board of Curtin University of Technology- Muresk Institute. Until 30 June 2002, he was Managing Partner of the corporate and commercial law firm Garton Smith & Barrett advising in relation to managed investments in forestry, viticulture, wineries and manufacturing.

Prior to practising law he had over 18 years experience in banking and finance. He managed several major banking projects, including the development and introduction of Automated Teller Machines. Geoff has lectured in International Taxation Law, International Business Law and Contract Law and tutored in Corporate Law at Curtin University.

Geoff was responsible for identifying and negotiating the purchase of the Watershed vineyard and winery site in May 1999, assembling the viticulture, winemaking and management team, and structuring the Watershed premium wine business and its finances. He has also negotiated the purchase of Stage 2 and Stage 3 Watershed Vineyard sites. Geoff has overseen the development of the Watershed Project since its inception.

DR RICHARD HILL
M.B. B.S. F.R.A.C.P. B. Com (Economics) Dip Naut Sc

From 1981 until recently, Dick Hill was the Head of Gastroenterology at Princess Margaret Hospital, Perth. His qualifications include a Bachelor of Commerce (Econ) and he has successfully built and managed a significant investment portfolio. Dick has held a longstanding interest in the Australian wine industry and his passion has led him to design and manufacture wine racking.

Dick is a Director of Watershed Wines Ltd and Watershed Land Ltd and Chairperson of Watershed Premium Wines Ltd.

PETER CHARLES SARTORI

Peter has over 20 years experience in retailing, and has in the last ten years worked exclusively in the liquor industry.

In 1993, Peter established and successfully ran his own indepenent liquor store, which was sold in 1998. In 1998, Peter commenced employment as the manager of Liquorama, a West Australian based group of independent liquor stores. His responsibilities included the direction of purchasing, sales and administrative functions for the group.

In 2002, Peter was promoted to State Manager (WA of Liquor Services Group Ltd, following the amalgamation of Liquorama into the national Liquor Services Group Ltd. His duties encompass all aspects of general management including the development and implementation of marketing strategies for liquor sales in the Giants Liquor Group in Western Australia.

Peter brings to the board of Watershed Premium Wines Ltd an exceptional understanding of the domestic retail wine market.

RONALD GEORGE MARTIN

Ron Martin has a banking and finance backgroud over a period of 16 years. For the past 33 years he has had extensive retail business interests.  He has been actively involved in Watershed Premium Wines Ltd since its inception.

BRETT ROBINS (See above)

DIRECTORS OF THE LAND OWNER & WINERY

All Directors of the Manager are Directors of Watershed Land Ltd and Watershed Wines Ltd. In addition Tim Heard is a Director of Watershed Land Ltd. Tim is a practising lawyer who was admitted to practice law in 1990. Tim has had wide-ranging experience in litigation matters.


 

The Cellar Door sales facility of Margaret River Watershed Premium Wines is ideally located, just 4.8 kilometres south of Margaret River, on the major arterial road leading to and from the township. With extensive Bussell Highway frontage, it is positioned to capture both the passing tourist and, being in the 'dress circle' amongst a number of well recognised Margaret River wineries, it should also be on any wine lover's itinerary. These wineries include Leeuwin and Voyager Estates (the Watershed vineyard is to be located on the main intersection leading to these wineries), Redgate Wines, Xanadu Wines and Cape Mentelle.

The cellar door opened to the public on September 1, 2002

The cellar door sales facility has been incorporated into the design of the Watershed Winery. Visitors have panoramic views over the Margaret River Watershed vineyard and its extensive dam (covering 25 acres).

Click here to see Panoramic VR's of Watershed.

To enhance the Watershed brand and label recognition, specially designed merchandise is available. This includes clothing apparel, caps, giftware and accessories.

The cellar door sales facility is intended to become a destination for Watershed investors, their families and friends, providing an opportunity to see their investment first hand, whilst enjoying its premium wines.


The first phase of the Winery development, commenced on 29 November 2001 for completion by May 2002, involves construction of a cellar door sales facility, 500 square metre barrel store, administration facilities, and the Winery entry roads and parking area. The estimated cost of construction for phase one is $1.096 million, excluding GST.

The second phase of the Winery development was completed in March 2004 increasing crushing capacity to 900 tonnes. The third phase of contruction was completed in March 2005 increasing the capacity of Watershed's winery to crush 1200 tonnes. The fourth phase of construction was completed in March 2008 and has increased the capacity of Watershed's winery to crush 1600 tonnes.  It's three barrel stores now hold over 2400 barrels. 60% of all barrels used are French oak, 30% American oak and 10% Hungarian oak.

The Winery building has been designed by Richard Harris of Innovest Construction on a modular basis to facilitate future expansion.

The Winery design incorporates a spectacular view of the Watershed vineyard and dam for visitors to the cellar door sales.


 

The Watershed vineyard is situated 4.8 km south of Margaret River at the intersection of Darch Road and Bussell Highway, Margaret River. The Bussell Highway is the major arterial road for traffic travelling to and from the Margaret River township. The Watershed vineyard has extensive Bussell Highway frontage, which contributes significantly to the profile and cellar door sales of the Margaret River Watershed Premium Wine Project.

Watershed's Stage 1 vineyard comprises a total area of 127.2901 hectares, of which 79.9 hectares has been established as a vineyard. The 130,209 vines were hand planted in August/September 2001. The Watershed vineyard is in the "dress circle" of Margaret River being on the Bussell Highway at the turn-off to Leeuwin and Voyager Estates, the two most visited wineries in Margaret River.

In March 2004 Watershed purchased it's Stage 2 vineyard over the road from it's exisiting site. In September 2004 33.3 hectares were planted. In November 2006 Watershed purchased it's Stage 3 vineyard in Jindong (in the Margaret River Appellation), and has to date planted 60 hectares giving Watershed a toal of 177.45 hectares under vine.  Stage 4, directly adjacent to Stage 3 is expcted to be planted in the coming months, adding another 50 hectares.

The stage 1 dam was constructed in April 2000 at an initial cost of approximately $240,000. The dam was subsequently expanded to a water storage capacity of 201 megalitres during the first quarter of 2001 at an additional cost of approximately $110,000. Despite Margaret River receiving well below average rainfall last winter the dam overflowed again in August 2006.

Click here to see the overflowing dam

The table below shows the red and white grape varieties planted on the vineyard.


Click Here to see the Grape Varietals Chart