New chief winemaker at Howard Park

Image: Nic Bowen

Howard Park have added rising star Nic Bowen to their winemaking team as chief winemaker, starting this upcoming vintage.

Born into a well-known West Australian winemaking family, Nic has spent the best part of 16 vintages honing his skills at prestigious wineries both in Australia and internationally. Nic is currently employed as the Senior Winemaker/ Manger for Accolade’s flagship Tintara Winery the home of winemaking for Hardys, Chateau Reynella, Leasingham, Yarraburn and House of Arras brands.

“I am extremely excited to be joining Howard Park a great Western Australia marque with family heritage at its heart,” said Bowen.

“I have great respect for the Burch family and the wines produced under the Burch Family Wines umbrella.

“Born in the Great Southern and having studied Winemaking in Margaret River I’ve always had a soft spot for West Australian wines. Returning to the region is an amazing opportunity to immerse myself once again and I am thrilled to be working alongside a valued and experienced team.”

Nic’s career has garnered respect within the industry and his tenure at Hardy’s Tintara meant oversight of one of the most awarded and revered winemaking portfolios in the country for red, white and sparkling wines.

Whilst his experience is varied in all forms of winemaking Nic’s passion is for sparkling winemaking. Working under sparkling authority Ed Carr for 12 years, Nic has honed his skills in this speciality helping to build one of the most respected and awarded sparkling portfolios in the world.

In 2011 Nic was awarded the Graham Thorp Scholarship for Best Sparkling Wine at the RASNSW Sydney Wines Show, which awarded him the opportunity to travel and learn from some of the world’s most famous Champagne houses. Knowledge he now uses in judging and lecturing on sparkling wines.

This specialism was of particular interest for the Burch Family who have, alongside their extensive portfolio of premium Cabernets, Chardonnays and Rieslings, been perfecting the production of West Australian Méthode Traditionnelle sparkling wines.

A pursuit that won them Australian Sparkling of the Year at the International competition – Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships in 2017.

Burch Family Wines owner Jeff Burch said, “Nic’s passion and enthusiasm for sparkling wine stood out, but his broad skillset and ability to make quality wines across the board, will complement and build upon our knowledge that can only enhance our offering”.

Gourmet Traveller Wine 2018 Winemaker of the year, Janice McDonald will remain in a senior winemaking role at Howard Park as director of winemaking.

“They will make a formidable team,” said Jeff Burch, “We are looking forward to have Nic on board and excited for what the future has in store”.

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